Ways to say it
| Swiss German | Note |
|---|---|
| Tschau | |
| Ciao | same word, Italian spelling |
The same word is sometimes written Ciao, closer to its Italian origin, especially in texting.
What does it mean word for word?
Tschau and Ciao are the same borrowed Italian word, just spelled two different ways in everyday Swiss writing.
Which one should you use?
There is no real difference in meaning. Tschau is the more common Swiss German spelling, while Ciao shows the word's Italian roots more directly.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The word is casual, used with friends, family and colleagues you know well.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The word is used across the whole German-speaking part of Switzerland, close to its everyday use in Italian-speaking Switzerland too.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word does not change with the person being addressed.
How do you pronounce it?
Both spellings are said the same way, close to the Italian 'ciao'.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Writing Tschüss, the Standard German word, is understood but less common than Tschau in everyday Swiss texting and speech.
When do people say it?
Tschau is often doubled, Tschau tschau, as a quick, friendly way to end a short exchange.
Did you know?
- Tschau and Ciao are the exact same borrowed word, just spelled according to German or Italian habits.
- Doubling the word to Tschau tschau is a common, friendly way to close a short conversation in Swiss German.
Examples in context
- Tschau, bis spöter!Bye, see you later!
- Ciao, pass uf dich uf.Bye, take care of yourself.
- Tschau tschau, mir höred üs.Bye bye, we will talk.
Example conversation
Joel ends a quick phone call with his classmate Fiona.
- JoelOkay, tschau denn.Okay, bye then.
- FionaTschau, bis morn id Schuel.Bye, see you at school tomorrow.
- JoelGenau, tschau tschau.Right, bye bye.
- FionaCiao!Bye!
