Did a friend just say ‘ciao’ instead of goodbye to you? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The expression ‘ciao’ is a farewell or welcoming greeting used as a pleasantry in conversation. You can say it when greeting a friend or saying goodbye to them. It’s a flexible greeting akin to ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye’ in English.
You’ll use ‘Ciao’ when greeting friends and family, and not in formal situations. ‘Ciao’ is a casual greeting, and it’s not suitable for professional communications. However, ‘ciao’ isn’t a word you want to use around older generations of Italians, as it has a dark history with the Italian people.
Example Usage
“Ok, I have to head to the mall to pick something up I ordered from a retailer. I’ll catch up with you later. Have a great day. Ciao.”
“Ciao Bella, it’s nice to see such a beautiful woman walk into my office. How can I help you today, my dear.”
“We’re going to head home. It’s been a great evening, and we had a lot of fun. That’s for the food, drinks, and hospitality. Ciao.”
“Ok, let me know when you get there. Travel safe, and remember to use your headlights on the mountain when it gets misty. Ciao.”
“Ciao. Welcome to my humble abode. Is there anything I can offer you to drink? We have coffee, juice, or whisky if you’re feeling frisky.”
“Thanks for coming. It was great hanging out with you all again. I can’t wait until next time. Ciao.”
“It’s time for me to leave. This has been fun, but I have to attend an important appointment in the city. Take care, everybody, ciao.”
“Ciao. Welcome to my hotel. It’s a pleasure to accommodate you all this evening. You’ll find fresh towels in the bathroom if any of you need to shower, and room service is available.”
Origin
The expression ‘ciao’ originates from the Italian language. The word comes from the Venetian dialect, with the phrase ‘s-ciào vostro’ meaning ‘I am your slave.’ Over the years, the phrase shortened to ‘s-ciào’ and retained the same meaning.
The connotation of the phrase in the Venetian dialect is more akin to ‘I am at your service.’ However, the saying eventually evolved into the word ‘slave’ in the Italian language. Therefore, caio isn’t the lighthearted welcome and farewell greeting we think it is. Instead, it’s a form of slave language used to oppress others.
Older generations of Italians see ‘ciao’ as a formal greeting and not to be used in social conversations. Many older generations harbor these feelings, but the younger generations no longer hold these memories, impacting the meaning of ciao into a standard greeting.
Phrases Similar to Ciao
- Salve.
- Buongiorno.
- Buon pomeriggio.
- Buona sera.
- Arrivederci.
- ArrivederLa.
Phrases Opposite to Ciao
- N/A.
What is the Correct Saying?
- Ciao.
Ways People May Say Ciao Incorrectly
Interestingly, it’s not polite to use ‘ciao’ when speaking to an Italian person. Since the word has former slave connotations, Italians in the older generations would find the use of ‘ciao’ offensive. In essence, you’re using the language of the enslaved people, and some Italians may find this highly offensive.
However, times and culture are changing, and in a few generations, we imagine the word ‘ciao’ will no longer hold its negative connotation to the Italian people.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Ciao
You can use ‘ciao’ as a welcoming or farewell greeting. It’s a universally understood term by most English speakers. ‘Ciao’ can mean both hello and goodbye, and it’s a common greeting used by people with no Italian heritage, hence its global use and understanding by non-Italian speaking people.
You can use ‘ciao’ in verbal conversations and text-based communications. The greeting also suits social and professional use. However, you wouldn’t use it in formal communications. You could say goodbye to a work college using ‘ciao,’ or you could use it to say goodbye or hello to a friend.