Ciao
casual, friends
In Italian Ciao means both "hello" and "bye", and it is the casual goodbye for friends, family and people your age. It is also called Ci vediamo and Arrivederci.
Meaning: casual goodbye (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Italian | Note |
|---|---|
| Ciao | casual, friends |
| Ci vediamo | casual |
| Arrivederci | neutral |
Add Ci vediamo ("see you") for a friendlier goodbye, and sometimes people say Ciao ciao twice.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Do not use Ciao with strangers, older people or in formal settings. Use Arrivederci there.
How do you pronounce it?
Ciao sounds like "chow", one syllable.
Did you know?
- Ciao comes from the Venetian phrase s-ciao vostro, meaning roughly "I am your slave", a polite greeting that was shortened over time.
Examples in context
- Ciao, ci vediamo domani!Bye, see you tomorrow!
- Ciao ciao, a presto.Bye bye, see you soon.
- Ciao, Luca!Bye, Luca!
Example conversation
Giulia and her friend Luca part ways outside a cafe in Milan.
- GiuliaDevo andare. Ciao, Luca!I have to go. Bye, Luca!
- LucaCiao, Giulia. Ci vediamo!Bye, Giulia. See you!
- GiuliaA presto!See you soon!
