How late is later?

It must be equivalent to the Italian 'arivederci' and is simply a very informal way of saying 'Goodbye' or ''Bye for now' which means just the same as 'see you later'. This question reminds me of the phrase 'enough is enough' - just ways of saying things depending on who you are speaking to.

I am glad you said 'later' nowadays later has become 'laterz or laters' instead of saying see you later, people just say laterz! That really annoys me, seems its the kewl way of saying it, it's actually a lazy way of saying, mind you I blame texting for this. I do agree later is very vague. If you want to know where you stand with someone, it would be better to know for sure when you were seeing them again, especially if it's a loved one.

When one says 'see you later' that is an indication to want to meet again. When and how and where is left to the next opportunity either created by the one who said it or the one to whom it is said. Simple!

It is just an expression the same as saying goodbye, so-long, farewell, etc. There is no specific time connected to it. That is unless someone says I will see you later tonight. Then you know you will actually see them later. Lots of people don't like saying goodbye because it sounds so permanent. Some think that saying that will be the last time they may see you. So saying, see you later is their way of saying the same thing without putting their fear into saying goodbye.

See you later means you plan on seeing them later no matter how soon or long later is. Goodbyes can be a final kind of thing so people that say see you later do not want that to be the last time to see them.