ciao mamma
/ˈt͡ʃa.o ˈmam.ma/word by word
The Italian phrase for "hi mum" is ciao mamma.
ciao mamma is an informal greeting used when speaking to one's mother.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈtʃa.o ˈmam.ma/. It has 4 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The word ciao originates from the Venetian phrase s-ciao vostro, which literally means 'I am your slave'.
- The word mamma is a direct descendant of the Latin mamma, which referred to the breast.
- While 'hi' is often a simple greeting in English, the word ciao is unique because it is used both when arriving and when departing. You can use it to say both 'hi' and 'bye'.
Examples in context
- Ciao, mamma! Come stai?Hi, Mum! How are you?
- Ciao mamma, come stai?Hi mum, how are you?
- Ciao mamma, arrivo subito!Hi mum, I'm coming right now!
- Ciao mamma, ho fame.Hi mum, I am hungry.
Example conversation
Lorenzo enters the kitchen where his mother is cooking.
- LorenzoCiao mamma!Hi mum!
- GiuliaCiao Lorenzo, come va?Hi Lorenzo, how is it going?
- LorenzoTutto bene, grazie.Everything is fine, thanks.
- GiuliaVuoi mangiare qualcosa?Do you want to eat something?
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (ciao, mamma) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ciao, mamma, CC BY-SA 4.0.
