ċaw
/t͡ʃaw/
The phrase ċaw in Maltese is used to express both hello and goodbye.
This is a versatile expression used by speakers for both arriving and leaving.
How do you pronounce it?
/tʃaw/
Did you know?
- The word ċaw is borrowed from the Italian ciao, which originally comes from a Venetian phrase meaning 'I am your slave'.
- While ċaw is a borrowed term, many other basic Maltese greetings have distinct Semitic roots that sound nothing like European languages.
- The dot above the ċ in ċaw indicates a voiceless palatal plosive, a sound that does not exist in standard Italian.
Examples in context
- Il-gurnata t-tajba!Have a good day!
- BonġuHello (literally means "good day")
- ĊawGoodbye
- Mela narakSee you later
- SaħħaBye (more casual)
- Ċaw, kif inti?Hello, how are you?
Example conversation
Elena and Andre meet briefly on the street.
- Elenaǀaw, Andre!Hello, Andre!
- Andreǀaw, Elena! Inti tajjba?Hello, Elena! Are you well?
- ElenaIĞn, imma nistridi. Mela, ċaw!Yes, but I'm in a rush. Well, bye!
- Andreǀaw, arak dalwaqt!Bye, see you soon!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ċaw, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ċaw, CC BY-SA 4.0.
