ቻው
chaw
ቻው (chaw) is the Amharic way to say bye.
ቻው is a short form of goodbye. You can also use the phrase Dehna hun to mean "bye for now" or "take it easy."
Meaning: short for goodbye (intj)
Which one should you use?
ቻው is the short version of goodbye, while Dehna hun carries the specific nuance of "bye for now" or "take it easy."
How do you pronounce it?
chaw
Did you know?
- The Amharic word ቻው is actually a loanword from the Italian 'ciao'. This reflects the historical period of Italian occupation in Ethiopia during the 1930s.
- The word ቻው is written using the Ge'ez script, one of the oldest writing systems still in use in the world today.
- It is common in Ethiopia to accompany a goodbye with a slight bow or a handshake, often prolonging the departure as a sign of respect and warmth.
Examples in context
- እሺ፣ ቻው።ishi, chau.Okay, bye.
- ቻው፣ ነገ እንገናኝ።chau, nege inigenagn.Bye, let's meet tomorrow.
Example conversation
Sara and Abel are leaving a cafe.
- ሳራ Saraአቤል፣ ቻው!Abel, chaw!Abel, bye!
- አቤል Abelቻው ሳራ፣ መልካም ቀን።Chaw Sara, melkam ken.Bye Sara, have a nice day.
- ሳራ Saraአመሰግናለሁ፣ አንተም መልካም ቀን።Amesegenalehu, antem melkam ken.Thank you, you have a nice day too.
- አቤል Abelቻው!Chaw!Bye!
