Forums > Specific Focus > Learning Spanish

kgs

Dec 9, 2002, 7:36 AM

Post #1 of 10 (1951 views)

Shortcut

Adiós as Hello

Can't Post |

Hi all - I'm intrigued by the simple word "Adiós" as Hello/Goodbye, a passing-by greeting. Last nite in the Christmas parade, Santa said to the kids, as he "floated" by, "¡Adiós!" and it sounded funny to our ears, after years of hearing it as good-bye. I've also walked in the streets with someone who knew many of the people they were passing, and they said "Adiós" as they went past. I've often wondered what to say to someone you are passing by in the streets that you don't know at all. Which seems the most natual in Mexico - "Hola" or "Buenas Tardes" or a nod and smile? Or, "Adiós"?

arbon

Dec 9, 2002, 8:54 AM

Post #2 of 10 (1822 views)

Shortcut

Re: [kgs] Adiós as Hello

Can't Post |

I do not think they are saying Adiós, I think they are saying "something"? ----Diós.

Diós--- means God. ¿go with,be with? God.

We have only heard this "greeting" in Melaque at Xmas time,by old ladies.

(This post was edited by arbon on Dec 9, 2002, 12:16 PM)

jackbe

Dec 9, 2002, 11:02 AM

Post #3 of 10 (1802 views)

Shortcut

Re: [arbon] Adiós as Hello

Can't Post |

Men will say "Adios" to a beautiful woman as she passes by as a way of saying: "Too bad you're leaving".

esperanza

Dec 9, 2002, 11:16 AM

Post #4 of 10 (1804 views)

Shortcut

Re: [jackbe] Adiós as Hello

Can't Post | Private Reply

Where I live, the typical 'in passing' greeting between either friends or strangers (ie, if neither party is going to stop to chat) is adios. The stop-to-chat greeting is typically buenos días, buenas tardes, or buenas noches, depending of course on the time of day. Hola is like 'hi', and is slangier and a notch (albeit a small notch) less respectful if you are greeting someone whom you might generally refer to as, for example, Sr González rather than as Jorge. Then there are the other greetings, used between peers: Qu'hubole? Qué tal? Qué hay? etc. Lots to know and lots to choose from.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Mereja

Dec 9, 2002, 9:28 PM

Post #5 of 10 (1764 views)

Shortcut

Re: [esperanza] Adiós as Hello

Can't Post |

In the town where my husband is from in Michoacan that is what we always say in passing. You explained it very well. If you say "buenos dias" it is because you plan on talking to them, but "adios" is in passing. It is very common in Chupicuaro, Michoacan.

REY

Dec 10, 2002, 6:35 AM

Post #6 of 10 (1752 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Mereja] Adiós as Hello

Can't Post |

I'd say it's common all over. I'm from South Texas (the valley...woohoo!!!), and we use it here. I also hear it on tv and several places in Mexico I've been to.

ahi nos vimos

Rey

lin robinson

Dec 11, 2002, 7:36 PM

Post #7 of 10 (1719 views)

Shortcut

Re: [arbon] Adiós as Hello

Can't Post |

No, they are saying "Adios", as in goodbye. This has become more common in recent years. It is a semi-ironic usage, and frequently used when somebody passes by without seeing, aknowleging, or noticing the speaker. But it's also spreading out into a general equivalent for "goodbye"...my guess is that it is a fad that will not be around in a year of two.

ihatelapels

Jan 6, 2003, 11:02 AM

Post #8 of 10 (1678 views)

Shortcut

Re: [kgs] Adiós as Hello

Can't Post |

I had always thought of Adios as a tiny little prayer for the person you are talking to. Since it means literally into english "to god" it seems like it is similar to Aloha in that it has more than one usage.

I mean it seems like people are giving the other person a little protective prayer on their way to wherever they are going. Or in case something did happen to them it was an appeal to god, like a short letter of recommendation. A short but caring statement.

Maybe I'm being too romantic? Words have so many meanings and inflections, it's interesting to look at them.

mexhapati

Jan 6, 2003, 11:12 AM

Post #9 of 10 (1675 views)

Shortcut

Goodbye

Can't Post |

It definitely is not just romanticism - that's how it actually originated. Good wishes. My mother in law gives all her children her bendicion (blessing) every Sunday after supper as everyone starts to leave.

What do you think Goodbye means? Hint: God's in there, too.

ihatelapels

Jan 6, 2003, 11:24 AM

Post #10 of 10 (1707 views)

Shortcut

Re: [mexhapati] Goodbye

Can't Post |

Good Bye probably means something like "god be beside you" shortened to "god by you" then shortened and morphed to Good Bye. Good Bye reminds me of one of my favorite English phrases of "bless you" when someone sneezes. One interesting theory on this one is that people believed bad spirits came from the nose and to keep them from harming others you blessed them. I've also heard that the sharp out rush of air might allow bad spirits in so you had to bless them so they could cause no harm. Maybe people have had more knowledge of germs than we might think. I wonder when "god bless you" became a standard sneeze blessing hee hee/