Which one should you use?
While ciao, amici miei is a casual way to say "Hi, my friends", you can use the more polite Buongiorno, amici miei to say "Good morning/day, my friends" in formal situations. You can also use Salve a tutti, amici miei! to say "Hello everyone, my friends!" Other variations include Ehi ragazzi! for "Hey guys!" and Ciao, ragazzi! for "Hi, guys!"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The use of ciao makes this greeting informal and suitable only for friends, family or people you know well. For more polite or formal greetings, replace ciao with buongiorno (good day) or buonasera (good evening).
How does it change in a sentence?
In Italian, the form changes based on the gender of the group. If the group of friends consists only of women, you should use the feminine form amiche mie instead of amici miei.
Did you know?
- The casual greeting ciao actually traces its roots back to the word for 'slave', specifically from the Venetian expression 's-ciao vostro', meaning 'I am your humble servant'.
- While ciao is used to say 'hi', it is also the standard way to say 'goodbye' in Italian.
- In many parts of Italy, instead of calling a group 'friends', people will use ragazzi to mean 'guys' or 'folks' regardless of the group's actual age.
Examples in context
- Ciao, amici miei, come state?Hi, my friends, how are you?
- Ciao, amici miei, venite a cena!Hi, my friends, come to dinner!
- Ciao, amici miei, che bello vedervi!Hi, my friends, it is great to see you!
Example conversation
Martina arrives at a cafe where Matteo and their friends are sitting.
- MartinaCiao, amici miei! Che piacere vedervi.Hi, my friends! What a pleasure to see you.
- MatteoCiao Martina, entra pure!Hi Martina, come on in!
- MartinaGrazie, Matteo. Avete già ordinato?Thanks, Matteo. Have you already ordered?
- MatteoSì, stiamo aspettando solo te.Yes, we are just waiting for you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ciao, miei, CC BY-SA 4.0.
