ciao
/ˈt͡ʃa.o/
The Italian word for bye is ciao.
ciao is a common and versatile way to say both hello and goodbye.
Meaning: short for goodbye (intj)
Which one should you use?
While ciao is used for 'bye' among friends, arrivederci is the more formal way to say goodbye. For a very formal or permanent sense of farewell, you might use addio, which means 'farewell' or 'goodbye forever'. If you want to say 'see you soon' informally, you can use a presto or use ci vediamo for a casual 'see you'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Using ciao to say goodbye is strictly informal and should be avoided in professional or formal situations with strangers. In those contexts, arrivederci is the appropriate choice.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Milan and Northern Italy, the phrase ciao ciao is used as an informal way of saying goodbye.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈtʃa.o/. It has 2 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The word ciao is a linguistic relative of the Latin word sclavus, which is the same root found in the English word 'slave'.
- The word arrivederci is not just a formal version of 'bye', but literally translates to 'until we see each other again'.
Examples in context
- Ciao.Bye.This shows the use of ciao as a simple goodbye.Tatoeba #4522287 by Guybrush88, translation #1903709 by AsliAbbasi
- Vado. Ciao!I’m off. Bye!This is useful for seeing ciao used when someone is leaving.Tatoeba #5838895 by dnnywld, translation #12838377 by JeanM
- Ciao!Bye!This illustrates the energetic use of ciao as a parting greeting.Tatoeba #607364 by Cero, translation #647456 by Hans07
- Arrivederci, signora. È stato un piacere conoscerla.Goodbye, ma'am. It was a pleasure meeting you.
- Addio, cari colleghi. Vi auguro ogni successo.Farewell, dear colleagues. I wish you every success.
- Ciao Marco! Ci vediamo domani per il pranzo.Goodbye Marco! See you tomorrow for lunch.
- A presto, ragazzi! Divertitevi alla festa stasera.See you soon, guys! Have fun at the party tonight.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco and Chiara are finishing a coffee at a cafe.
- FrancescoIo devo andare ora.I have to go now.
- ChiaraVa bene, a presto!All right, see you soon!
- FrancescoCiao, Chiara!Bye, Chiara!
- ChiaraCiao, Francesco!Bye, Francesco!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ciao, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ciao, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
