How to Say "Hi, Daddy" in Italian

ciao, papà

/ˈt͡ʃa.o paˈpa/word by word

ciao, papà is the Italian way to say "hi, daddy".

This phrase is an informal greeting used by a child or adult to address their father.

Which one should you use?

While papà is the informal term for daddy or dad, the word padre is the formal term used in more serious or distant contexts.

The word papà is invariable, meaning it does not change its form in the plural. The plural of papà is papà.

The pronunciation is /ˈtʃa.o paˈpa/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable.

The word ciao has a surprisingly humble origin, stemming from the Venetian word s-ciao which means 'I am your slave'. It evolved from an expression of profound service and humility into a casual, friendly greeting.
In Italy, the term papà is used by adults throughout their entire lives, regardless of age. It is common for a 40-year-old to address their father as papà without it sounding childish.
In many parts of Italy, the casualness of ciao can actually be a social risk. While a child can say ciao, papà without issue, using it with a stranger or a superior can be seen as a breach of etiquette.

Sofia greets her father when he arrives home from work.

Sources

IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (ciao, papà) and can differ in connected speech.
Word origins: Wiktionary entries ciao, papà, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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