Italian · Greetings & Phrases
ciao
hello / goodbye
Beginnerinterjection
Definition
An informal greeting or farewell used among friends and family.
Example
Ciao, come stai?
Hello, how are you?
Etymology
The word 'ciao' originates from the Venetian phrase 's-ciavo', meaning 'I am your slave', used to express servitude or greeting. Over time, it evolved into a casual salutation used in various Italian dialects.
How & Where It’s Used
'Ciao' is predominantly informal and used in casual conversations among friends and acquaintances, both in spoken and written forms. It is widely recognized across Italy and has also permeated several other languages.