How do you use "Ciao" in a sentence?

Ciao! Ciao, darling! Ciao for now! Ciao, bella!

Ciao

Q: What does "Ciao" mean?

A borrowed Italian word used as a casual hello or goodbye Italian word adopted into English as a casual, somewhat sophisticated greeting or farewell. Used more in British English than American.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Casual

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Meaning: A borrowed Italian word used as a casual hello or goodbye

从意大利语借用的词，用作随意的打招呼或告别

Una palabra prestada del italiano usada como saludo o despedida informal

イタリア語からの借用語で、カジュアルな挨拶や別れの言葉として使う

이탈리아어에서 차용된 캐주얼한 인사 또는 작별 인사

Italian word adopted into English as a casual, somewhat sophisticated greeting or farewell. Used more in British English than American.

被英语采用的意大利语词汇，作为随意且略显时髦的问候或告别语。在英式英语中比美式英语更常用。

Palabra italiana adoptada en inglés como saludo o despedida informal y algo sofisticada. Se usa más en inglés británico que americano.

英語に取り入れられたイタリア語で、ややおしゃれなカジュアルな挨拶や別れの言葉。アメリカ英語よりイギリス英語でよく使われる。

영어에 캐주얼하면서도 세련된 인사 또는 작별 인사로 차용된 이탈리아어. 미국 영어보다 영국 영어에서 더 많이 사용된다.

Examples

Ciao!
你好/再见！
¡Hola/Adiós!
チャオ！
차오!
Ciao, darling!
再见，亲爱的！
¡Adiós, cariño!
チャオ、ダーリン！
차오, 달링!
Ciao for now!
暂时告别！
¡Hasta luego!
じゃあまたね！
차오, 또 봐!
Ciao, bella!
你好，美女！
¡Hola, guapa!
チャオ、美人さん！
차오, 벨라!

Pronunciation

/tʃaʊ/

Usage Guide

Context: cosmopolitan, fashionable, casual

Tone: casual, slightly sophisticated

✓ Do Say

Ciao!
再见！
¡Chao!
チャオ！
차오!
Ciao for now.
先走了。
Chao por ahora.
じゃあまたね。
차오, 또 봐.
Ciao, darling!
再见，亲爱的！
¡Chao, cariño!
チャオ、ダーリン！
차오, 달링!

✗ Don't Say

Borrowed from Italian
从意大利语借用
Prestada del italiano
イタリア語からの借用語
이탈리아어에서 차용된 표현
Can sound affected
可能听起来做作
Puede sonar afectado
気取って聞こえることも
거드름 피우는 것처럼 들릴 수 있음

Common Mistakes

Can sound pretentious if overused
Works as both hello and goodbye

Origin & History

Italian word meaning both hello and goodbye, borrowed into English.

Etymology: Italian, from Venetian dialect 's-ciavo' (servant/slave)

First recorded: Italian, borrowed into English mid-20th century

Cultural Context

Era: Mid-20th century onwards in English

Generation: All ages

Social background: Cosmopolitan, fashionable

Pop culture: Fashion industry; European influence

Regional notes: Italian loan word. More common in Europe and fashion circles.

Variations

CiaoCiao ciaoCiao for now