Greek2Me staff · Phrases
How to Say Goodbye in Greek
Γεια σας
(ya sas)
goodbye (polite / plural)
The most common goodbye in Greek is γεια σας (ya sas) for anyone you're being polite with, or γεια σου (ya sou) with friends. For a see-you-later feel use τα λέμε (ta léme), and save αντίο (adío) for goodbyes that feel final.
Common variations
| Γεια σας | Goodbye (polite or to a group)formal or plural | |
| Γεια σου | Bye (to one person you know)informal, one person | |
| Γεια | Bye (very casual)friends only | |
| Τα λέμε | See you (literally 'we'll talk')casual, expecting to meet again | |
| Αντίο | Goodbyefinal, longer parting | |
| Καληνύχτα | Good nightleaving at night or before bed | |
| Καλή σας μέρα | Have a good daypolite sign-off, common in shops | |
| Εις το επανιδείν | Until we meet againvery formal, ceremonial |
In context
Γεια σας, καλή συνέχεια!
ya sas, kalí sinéchia!
Goodbye, all the best for what's next!
Τα λέμε αύριο, Αϊσέ.
ta léme ávrio, Ayşe
See you tomorrow, Ayşe.
Καληνύχτα, όνειρα γλυκά.
kalinýchta, ónira glyká
Good night, sweet dreams.
Αντίο, να προσέχεις τον εαυτό σου.
adío, na proséchis ton eaftó sou
Goodbye, take care of yourself.
Γεια σου, Κουάμε! Τα λέμε το Σάββατο.
ya sou, Kwame! ta léme to Sávato
Bye, Kwame! See you on Saturday.
Γεια works both directions
The same γεια you use to say hello also serves as goodbye. It comes from *υγεία* meaning 'health', so it's really a wish rather than a directional hello or bye. That's why you can arrive and leave a room with the same word.
A quick guide:
- Γεια σου to one person you know, arriving or leaving
- Γεια σας to a group, or one person you're being polite with
- Γεια on its own, very casual, friends only
If in doubt, γεια σας is rarely wrong. Greeks will happily invite you to switch to σου when they want the tone to feel closer.
When to use αντίο (and when not to)
Αντίο (adío) is the word most tourists reach for first, but locals use it more sparingly than you'd expect. It carries a weight of finality, closer to English 'farewell' than a casual 'bye', so it fits when you're parting for a long time or in an emotional moment.
For everyday goodbyes, γεια σας, γεια σου, or τα λέμε all feel more natural. Save αντίο for airport farewells, moving away, or moments that genuinely feel like an ending.
Casual sign-offs
For a relaxed 'see you around' feel, Greeks reach for a handful of casual phrases:
- Τα λέμε (ta léme), literally 'we'll talk', the everyday 'see you'
- Τα λέμε αύριο (ta léme ávrio), 'see you tomorrow'
- Τα λέμε σύντομα (ta léme síntoma), 'see you soon'
- Καλή συνέχεια (kalí sinéchia), 'good continuation', used when someone still has a shift, meal, or trip ahead of them
- Καλό βράδυ (kaló vrádi), 'good evening / have a nice evening'
These all pair naturally with a γεια, so it's common to hear something like *γεια σου, τα λέμε*.
Wishes as farewells
Greek loves a wish as a sign-off. If someone is heading into a specific situation, there's usually a phrase for it:
- Καλό ταξίδι (kaló taxídi), 'have a good trip'
- Καλή δουλειά (kalí douliá), 'good work', when someone's on their way to their shift
- Καλό ξεκούραστο (kaló xekoúrasto), 'rest well'
- Περαστικά (perastiká), 'get well soon'
Slipping one of these in on the way out feels warmer than a bare γεια, and locals will notice the effort.
Frequently asked questions
How do you pronounce γεια σας?+
Like 'yah sas'. The Γ at the start is a soft sound closer to a soft English 'y' than a hard 'g', and the stress falls on the first syllable of γεια.
Is αντίο the normal way to say goodbye?+
Not really. Αντίο is closer to 'farewell' in feel, so locals save it for goodbyes that carry weight. For everyday parting, γεια σου, γεια σας, or τα λέμε all sound more natural.
What's the difference between γεια σου and γεια σας when leaving?+
Γεια σου is for one person you know. Γεια σας is for a group, or a single person you're being polite with. The same distinction works whether you're arriving or leaving.
How do you say 'see you tomorrow' in Greek?+
Τα λέμε αύριο (ta léme ávrio), literally 'we'll talk tomorrow'. Swap αύριο for σύντομα (síntoma) to say 'see you soon', or for το Σάββατο to say 'see you on Saturday'.
Can I say καληνύχτα when leaving in the evening?+
Only if it's genuinely late and you're both heading off for the night, or before bed. Earlier in the evening, καλό βράδυ ('good evening') or a plain γεια σας fits better.
Practise this in the app
Get the whole greetings set down
The A1 Greetings lesson covers γεια, αντίο, τα λέμε, and the time-of-day farewells with audio and spaced repetition.
Try the Greetings lesson