In 15 Seconds
- A casual way to say see you later today.
- Perfect for friends, colleagues, and family members.
- Implies a reunion is happening within a few hours.
Meaning
This is a friendly way to say 'see you later' when you expect to see the person again on the same day.
Key Examples
3 of 6Leaving for a lunch break
Vou almoçar, até depois!
I'm going to lunch, see you later!
Ending a phone call with a date
Mal posso esperar para te ver. Até depois!
I can't wait to see you. See you later!
Leaving a professional meeting that continues later
Obrigado a todos. Até depois, na segunda parte da reunião.
Thank you everyone. See you later, in the second part of the meeting.
Cultural Background
Brazilians often shorten 'Até depois' to just 'Até!' or 'Até mais!' in very casual settings. It's usually accompanied by a 'tchau' and a wave. In Portugal, 'Até já' is often preferred if the return is within an hour or two, whereas 'Até depois' is for later in the afternoon. In Luanda, greetings and farewells are very important. Skipping a phrase like 'Até depois' can be seen as slightly rude or abrupt. On social media and WhatsApp, 'Até depois' is frequently abbreviated as 'Até dps' or 'Até +'.
The 'Same Day' Rule
Always remember: if you won't see them before you sleep, don't use 'Até depois'.
Add a Wave
In Brazil, this phrase is almost always accompanied by a small hand gesture.
In 15 Seconds
- A casual way to say see you later today.
- Perfect for friends, colleagues, and family members.
- Implies a reunion is happening within a few hours.
What It Means
Até depois is your go-to phrase for 'see you later.' It implies a short gap in time. You use it when you are parting ways but will reunite soon. It feels light, hopeful, and very common in daily life.
How To Use It
Simply drop it at the end of a conversation. It replaces a final tchau or works alongside it. You can say Tchau, até depois! or just the phrase alone. It is very flexible and works in almost any setting. In a text, you might even see it shortened to até dep.
When To Use It
Use it when you have plans later that day. Maybe you are leaving the office for lunch. Perhaps you are hanging up a call with a friend you're meeting for dinner. It is perfect for the gym, the bakery, or the office. If you are 90% sure you'll cross paths again today, this is your phrase.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it if you won't see the person for a long time. If your friend is moving to Japan, até depois sounds a bit delusional. Avoid it in very stiff, high-stakes formal ceremonies where a simple passar bem is preferred. Also, if it's 11 PM, use até amanhã instead. You aren't seeing them 'later' today; you're seeing them tomorrow!
Cultural Background
Brazilians and Portuguese people are generally optimistic about seeing people again. Social circles are fluid, and 'later' is a very flexible concept. The phrase reflects a culture that values continuous connection. It’s less of a final goodbye and more of a 'pause' button on the relationship. It became a staple because it's shorter and punchier than other farewells.
Common Variations
Até logo: A bit more formal, like 'see you soon.'Até mais: Very common, almost identical toaté depois.Até já: Used when you'll see them in just a few minutes.Até breve: Used when you don't have a specific time set, but hope it's soon.
Usage Notes
This phrase sits in the 'Goldilocks zone' of formality—neither too stiff nor too casual. It is the safest choice for A2 learners to use in 90% of daily interactions.
The 'Same Day' Rule
Always remember: if you won't see them before you sleep, don't use 'Até depois'.
Add a Wave
In Brazil, this phrase is almost always accompanied by a small hand gesture.
Not for Interviews
It's a bit too casual for a first meeting with a boss. Use 'Até logo' instead.
Examples
6Vou almoçar, até depois!
I'm going to lunch, see you later!
Standard use between colleagues who will return to the office.
Mal posso esperar para te ver. Até depois!
I can't wait to see you. See you later!
Shows excitement for the upcoming meeting.
Obrigado a todos. Até depois, na segunda parte da reunião.
Thank you everyone. See you later, in the second part of the meeting.
Professional but maintains a collaborative tone.
Estou chegando! Até depois!
I'm arriving! See you later!
Used to confirm you are on your way to the meeting spot.
Tenha um bom dia, até depois!
Have a good day, see you later!
A warm daily routine farewell.
Você vai voltar em 5 minutos, eu sei. Até depois!
You'll be back in 5 minutes, I know. See you later!
Playful use implying the person will return sooner than they think.
Test Yourself
Choose the best situation to use 'Até depois'.
You are leaving your house at 8 AM and will return at 6 PM. Your roommate is in the kitchen.
Since you are coming back on the same day, 'Até depois' is the most natural choice.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Tchau, nos vemos no jantar! B: Combinado, ______ ______!
The context of 'jantar' (dinner) implies a meeting later that day.
Match the phrase to the time of day.
Which phrase fits a 10:00 PM departure when you won't see the person until morning?
'Até depois' is for the same day; 'Até amanhã' is for the next day.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesYou are leaving your house at 8 AM and will return at 6 PM. Your roommate is in the kitchen.
Since you are coming back on the same day, 'Até depois' is the most natural choice.
A: Tchau, nos vemos no jantar! B: Combinado, ______ ______!
The context of 'jantar' (dinner) implies a meeting later that day.
Which phrase fits a 10:00 PM departure when you won't see the person until morning?
'Até depois' is for the same day; 'Até amanhã' is for the next day.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsIt's better to use 'Até logo' or 'A gente se vê' if the meeting isn't confirmed.
'Até depois' is for later today. 'Até logo' is 'see you soon' (could be today or soon).
'Até dps' is the most common shorthand.
Yes, but 'Até já' is more common for very short intervals.
Related Phrases
Até logo
similarSee you soon
Até mais
synonymSee you later
Até já
specialized formSee you in a bit
Até amanhã
contrastSee you tomorrow
A gente se vê
similarWe'll see each other
