ciao
/ˈt͡ʃa.o/
The English phrase "hello to a man" is translated into Italian as ciao.
ciao is the most common and versatile way to say hello in Italian when speaking informally. It is used for both 'hello' and 'goodbye' in informal contexts.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ciao is an informal greeting used with friends, family or people you know well. For more formal situations, you might use Buongiorno (good morning) or Buongiorno, Signore to greet a man formally in the morning. If the man holds an academic title, Professore is a respectful choice, while Dottore is appropriate for a man who has a doctorate.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtʃa.o/. The stress is on the first of two syllables.
When do people say it?
In Italian culture, a warm and friendly hug or a firm handshake often accompanies informal greetings.
Did you know?
- The greeting ciao actually traces its roots back to the word for 'slave', originating from the Venetan expression s-ciao vostro, which meant 'I am your slave'.
- In Italy, using ciao with a man who is significantly older or in a position of authority can be seen as an accidental insult.
- Because ciao is so iconic, it has been borrowed into dozens of other languages worldwide, often without the original 'slave' meaning.
Examples in context
- Ciao, come stai?Hello, how are you?
- Ciao, piacere di conoscerti.Hello, nice to meet you.
- Ciao, a domani!Hello, see you tomorrow!
Example conversation
Matteo and Sofia meet briefly on the street.
- MatteoCiao, Sofia!Hello, Sofia!
- SofiaCiao, Matteo. Come va?Hello, Matteo. How's it going?
- MatteoTutto bene, grazie.Everything is good, thanks.
- SofiaBene, allora ci vediamo presto.Good, see you soon then.
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.
