In 15 Seconds
- A friendly way to say 'See you' in almost any situation.
- Implies a future meeting and keeps the social connection warm.
- Much more common and natural than the formal 'Adeus'.
Meaning
It is a friendly, common way to say 'See you later' or 'See you soon.' It implies that you expect to cross paths with the person again in the future.
Key Examples
3 of 6Leaving a coffee date
Foi ótimo te ver, nos vemos!
It was great to see you, see ya!
Ending a work day
Bom descanso a todos, nos vemos amanhã.
Have a good rest everyone, see you tomorrow.
Texting a friend
Combinado! Nos vemos no sábado. 👋
Confirmed! See you on Saturday.
Cultural Background
Brazilians are known for 'despedidas longas' (long goodbyes). You might say 'Nos vemos' five times before actually leaving the house. In Portugal, 'Vemo-nos' is the standard. Using 'Nos vemos' might mark you immediately as a Brazilian Portuguese speaker or a learner. Similar to Portugal, enclisis (Vemo-nos) is often preferred in formal education, but 'Nos vemos' is common in casual Luanda street slang. In a startup environment in São Paulo, 'Nos vemos' is perfectly fine. In a traditional law firm in Lisbon, stick to 'Até breve'.
The 'A Gente' Swap
If you want to sound 100% Brazilian, use 'A gente se vê' instead of 'Nos vemos'. It's the ultimate local hack.
Avoid 'Adeus'
Never use 'Adeus' unless you are leaving forever or being very dramatic. 'Nos vemos' is much safer.
In 15 Seconds
- A friendly way to say 'See you' in almost any situation.
- Implies a future meeting and keeps the social connection warm.
- Much more common and natural than the formal 'Adeus'.
What It Means
Nos vemos is your go-to phrase for saying goodbye. It literally means 'we see each other.' It is warm and suggests a future meeting. You are not just leaving; you are promising a return. It feels much more personal than a cold 'goodbye.'
How To Use It
Use it just like 'See ya' in English. You can say it on its own. You can also add a time frame. For example, say Nos vemos amanhã for tomorrow. It works perfectly in person or over text. It is short, sweet, and very efficient. Just drop it at the end of a conversation.
When To Use It
Use it with friends after grabbing a coffee. Use it with colleagues as you leave the office. It is great for ending a phone call. It works when you have a plan. It also works when you don't have a plan. It is the ultimate social safety net. You will hear it at parties constantly.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it in very formal settings. Avoid it when speaking to a high-ranking official. If you are quitting a job, maybe skip it. It implies you actually want to see them again. If you are angry, it might sound sarcastic. Use Adeus if the goodbye is permanent. Don't use it for total strangers you'll never meet again.
Cultural Background
Portuguese speakers are generally very social and warm. Saying 'Goodbye' (Adeus) sounds too final and dramatic. It feels like a scene from a soap opera. Nos vemos keeps the connection alive and open. It reflects the 'always open for a chat' culture. It is a verbal bridge between today and tomorrow.
Common Variations
A gente se vê is the more informal version. It is incredibly common in Brazil. You might also hear Até logo for 'See you soon.' Nos vemos em breve adds a bit more anticipation. Some people just say Vemos-nos in Portugal. Each one carries that same friendly, 'see you soon' energy.
Usage Notes
The phrase is highly versatile and fits into the 'neutral' category. It is safe for both friends and acquaintances, but might be too casual for a high-stakes formal introduction or a very serious legal/medical setting.
The 'A Gente' Swap
If you want to sound 100% Brazilian, use 'A gente se vê' instead of 'Nos vemos'. It's the ultimate local hack.
Avoid 'Adeus'
Never use 'Adeus' unless you are leaving forever or being very dramatic. 'Nos vemos' is much safer.
The Ghost Plan
Sometimes people say 'Nos vemos' just to be nice, even if they don't have a plan. Don't take it as a literal calendar invite every time!
Examples
6Foi ótimo te ver, nos vemos!
It was great to see you, see ya!
A perfect, casual way to end a friendly hangout.
Bom descanso a todos, nos vemos amanhã.
Have a good rest everyone, see you tomorrow.
Professional yet warm for a daily office setting.
Combinado! Nos vemos no sábado. 👋
Confirmed! See you on Saturday.
Commonly used when confirming plans via messaging apps.
Espero que nos vejamos em breve.
I hope we see each other soon.
A slightly more intentional variation using the subjunctive.
Não se canse de mim, nos vemos daqui a pouco!
Don't get tired of me, see you in a bit!
Used when you are seeing the person again very shortly.
Obrigado pela reunião, nos vemos na próxima semana.
Thank you for the meeting, we'll see each other next week.
Safe for business contexts where you have a recurring schedule.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct reflexive pronoun for a casual goodbye.
Tchau, Paulo! ____ vemos amanhã na escola.
'Nos vemos' is the standard reflexive form for 'we see each other'.
Which of these is the most natural way to say 'See you later' in Brazil?
Escolha a opção mais natural:
'Nos vemos' is the most natural reflexive goodbye; 'Eu vejo você' is too literal.
Match the phrase to the most appropriate context.
Onde você diria 'Nos vemos na reunião'?
'Reunião' means meeting, making it a professional context.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
Mariana: 'Vou para casa agora, estou cansada.' Pedro: 'Tudo bem. ________!'
'Nos vemos' is the perfect short response to someone leaving.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Brazil vs Portugal
Practice Bank
4 exercisesTchau, Paulo! ____ vemos amanhã na escola.
'Nos vemos' is the standard reflexive form for 'we see each other'.
Escolha a opção mais natural:
'Nos vemos' is the most natural reflexive goodbye; 'Eu vejo você' is too literal.
Onde você diria 'Nos vemos na reunião'?
'Reunião' means meeting, making it a professional context.
Mariana: 'Vou para casa agora, estou cansada.' Pedro: 'Tudo bem. ________!'
'Nos vemos' is the perfect short response to someone leaving.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it's informal to neutral. Use it with friends, family, and colleagues you are close with.
'Nos vemos' is the Brazilian way (pronoun first). 'Vemo-nos' is the European way (pronoun last).
Only in a very casual email to a friend. For work, use 'Atenciosamente' or 'Um abraço'.
Literally, yes. But as a phrase, it just means 'See you'.
Yes! It means 'See you soon'.
The 'we' is already inside the verb 'vemos'. Adding 'Nós' would be redundant and sound robotic.
Say 'Nos vemos na sexta'.
If you have a friendly relationship, yes. If it's a very formal boss, use 'Até amanhã'.
Use 'Nos vemos por aí' (See you around).
Yes, usually as a soft 's' in Brazil or a 'sh' sound in Rio and Portugal.
Related Phrases
Até logo
synonymUntil soon
A gente se vê
similarWe see each other
Até mais
synonymUntil more
Tchau
builds onBye
Adeus
contrastGoodbye (forever)
