Greetings and goodbyes in Portugal: from bom dia to beijinhos

When to say boa tarde, how to sign off a message, and why you'll hear até já when someone means “see you in a bit”.

Hello

Olá works everywhere. Then the time of day: bom dia until lunch, boa tarde after lunch, boa noite once it's dark (also when you leave at night). Shops and cafés usually get a bom dia or boa tarde, not a bare olá.

Goodbye

Adeus is a normal goodbye in Portugal (in Brazil it sounds final): you'll hear it leaving shops or ending a phone call. People also say até logo (see you later), até amanhã, até já (see you in a moment) and até à próxima (until next time). Tchau is informal and very common.

In messages and emails

With friends: beijinhos (little kisses) or beijos, and abraço (hug), common between men. At work: cumprimentos or com os melhores cumprimentos (kind regards).