ciao
In Sicilian, hello can be expressed as ciao, salutamu or s'abbinidica.
Meaning: greeting (intj)
Ways to say it
| Sicilian |
|---|
| ciao |
| salutamu |
| s'abbinidica |
The phrase is used to greet someone.
Which one should you use?
ciao is a versatile informal term used for both 'hello' and 'goodbye'. In contrast, salutamu functions as a more formal or traditional way to offer greetings, meaning 'we greet' or 'greetings'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ciao is the informal option for 'Hi' or 'Hello'. If you wish to be more formal or use a traditional greeting, use salutamu.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Palermo, you may use Bongiornu to mean 'good morning'.
When do people say it?
For example, one might use Bonasèra to say 'Good evening'.
Did you know?
- The greeting ciao actually originated from a Venetian phrase meaning 'I am your slave', used to show extreme deference.
- The greeting s'abbinidica literally means 'one asks for a blessing'. It is traditionally used when greeting a priest or an elder to show deep respect.
- The use of salutamu employs a plural 'we' form even when a single person is speaking. This reflects a cultural tendency to represent oneself as part of a family or community group.
Examples in context
- Ciao, comu stai?Hello, how are you?
- Ciao a tutti!Hello to everyone!
Example conversation
Rosa and Antonio meet on the street.
- RosaCiao, Antonio!Hello, Antonio!
- AntonioCiao, Rosa, comu va?Hello, Rosa, how is it going?
- RosaTuttuu beni, grazzi.Everything is fine, thanks.
- AntonioMi ràcu, a scianti!I'm leaving, see you soon!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hello” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
