Significado
Informal way to say goodbye.
Contexto cultural
Estonians value their personal space. 'Tšau' is a verbal signal that you have entered someone's 'inner circle'. In Estonian schools, 'Tšau' is the universal language. Using 'Tere' can sometimes sound 'too adult' or stiff among teenagers. In the world's most digital society, 'Tšau' is the king of Slack, Discord, and Messenger. In Southern Estonia (Tartu), you might hear 'Tšau' mixed with local dialects, but the word itself remains the same.
The Double Tšau
If you want to sound extra friendly when leaving, say 'Tšau-tšau!' with a rising intonation on the second one.
The Boss Rule
Even if your boss is cool, start with 'Tere'. Only switch to 'Tšau' if they use it with you first.
Significado
Informal way to say goodbye.
The Double Tšau
If you want to sound extra friendly when leaving, say 'Tšau-tšau!' with a rising intonation on the second one.
The Boss Rule
Even if your boss is cool, start with 'Tere'. Only switch to 'Tšau' if they use it with you first.
Texting Etiquette
In Estonian, it's perfectly fine to end a text with just 'Tšau.' No need for 'Sincerely' or 'Best regards'.
Hello vs Bye
If you are confused, remember that 'Tšau' is used for 'Goodbye' about 70% of the time and 'Hello' 30% of the time.
Ponte a prueba
Which is the most appropriate situation to say 'Tšau'?
You are leaving a meeting with your bank manager.
A bank manager requires a formal register. 'Tšau' is too casual.
Complete the casual dialogue.
Kati: 'Tere, Marko!' Marko: '______, Kati! Kuidas läheb?'
Marko is responding to a greeting from a friend, so 'Tšau' fits perfectly.
Match the phrase to the person you are speaking to.
1. Tšau! 2. Tere päevast! 3. Tšauki!
Tšau is for friends, Tere päevast is formal, and Tšauki is cute/diminutive for family.
Finish the phone call.
A: 'Okei, ma pean nüüd minema.' B: 'Selge, ______!'
When someone says they have to go, 'Tšau' is the most natural casual response.
What does 'Tšau-tšau' usually mean?
Select the best meaning.
Doubling 'tšau' is almost always used for a warm goodbye.
🎉 Puntuación: /5
Ayudas visuales
When to say Tšau
Friends
- • Best friend
- • Classmate
- • Teammate
Family
- • Siblings
- • Cousins
- • Parents
Digital
- • SMS
- • Gaming chat
Banco de ejercicios
5 ejerciciosYou are leaving a meeting with your bank manager.
A bank manager requires a formal register. 'Tšau' is too casual.
Kati: 'Tere, Marko!' Marko: '______, Kati! Kuidas läheb?'
Marko is responding to a greeting from a friend, so 'Tšau' fits perfectly.
1. Tšau! 2. Tere päevast! 3. Tšauki!
Tšau is for friends, Tere päevast is formal, and Tšauki is cute/diminutive for family.
A: 'Okei, ma pean nüüd minema.' B: 'Selge, ______!'
When someone says they have to go, 'Tšau' is the most natural casual response.
Select the best meaning.
Doubling 'tšau' is almost always used for a warm goodbye.
🎉 Puntuación: /5
Preguntas frecuentes
12 preguntasNot at all, as long as you use it with friends or peers. It's only 'rude' if used in a very formal setting.
Yes! It's the ultimate multi-purpose word. Use it when you arrive and when you leave.
Spelling. 'Tšau' is the correct dictionary spelling. 'Tsau' is common in informal texting.
No, 'Tere' is the most common greeting. 'Tšau' is the most common *informal* greeting/parting.
Usually no, unless it's a very casual language tutor or you are at a university where the vibe is very relaxed.
It's a combination of 'Tšau' and the Russian 'Pakaa' (bye). It's very common and very casual.
Yes, from Tallinn to the smallest islands, everyone knows and uses 'Tšau'.
It sounds exactly like the English 'ch' in 'chocolate'.
It is more common among women or when talking to kids, but anyone can use it to be playful.
Only if you have a very close, long-term relationship with the person. Otherwise, stick to 'Tervitades'.
Like many European languages, Estonian adopted 'Ciao' because it's short, catchy, and sounds modern.
For hello, it's 'Tere'. For goodbye, it's 'Head aega'.
Frases relacionadas
Head aega
contrastGood bye (formal)
Nägemist
similarSee you / Goodbye
Pakaa
similarBye
Tere
similarHello
Kõike head
contrastAll the best
