ahoj
/aˈɦoj/
The English word "bye" can be translated into Czech using ahoj. Wiktionary also lists čau.
Meaning: short for goodbye (intj)
Ways to say it
| Czech | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ahoj | /aˈɦoj/ | |
| čau | [ˈt͡ʃau̯] (narrow) | informal |
Both ahoj and čau are used to mean both "hi" and "bye".
Which one should you use?
For a formal situation, you would instead use the phrase Na shledanou.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ahoj and čau are informal terms. For formal situations, use Na shledanou.
How do you pronounce it?
/aˈɦoj/
When do people say it?
The word čau is a common informal greeting and farewell, similar in usage to the Italian word "ciao".
Did you know?
- While ahoj is a common way to say 'bye', its nautical origin comes from the English maritime shout 'ahoy', used to hail ships.
- The phrase Na shledanou literally translates to 'until we see each other again', embedding a wish for a future meeting into the departure.
- Using ahoj or čau with a boss or a stranger can be seen as a significant breach of etiquette in traditional Czech culture.
Examples in context
- Čau!Bye!This example shows the use of čau as an informal way to say bye.Tatoeba #10621032 by hassman, translation #647456 by Hans07
- Ahoj, už musím jít.Bye, I have to go now.
Example conversation
Tomáš and Kateřina are leaving a cafe.
- TomášDíky za kávu, Kateřino.Thanks for the coffee, Kateřina.
- KateřinaNení zač, Tomáši.You're welcome, Tomáš.
- TomášDobře, ahoj!Alright, bye!
- KateřinaAhoj!Bye!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bye” translations and entries ahoj, čau, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ahoj, čau, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
