ciao

Ciao is an informal Italian greeting and closing expression used to say hello or goodbye. In daily use it is common among friends, family, and colleagues in casual settings, and it is widely understood beyond Italy where Italian language and culture have influence. In formal contexts, other greetings such as buongiorno, buonasera, or arrivederci are typically preferred.

Etymology and history: the word is believed to descend from the Venetian phrase s-ciàvo vostro, meaning "I am your slave" or "your servant." Over time this subservient formula was shortened and secularized into a friendly, familiar salutary word. The modernization of its usage began in the 19th and early 20th centuries and it spread beyond Veneto and Italy, becoming a common sign of casual friendliness.

Pronunciation and form: in Italian, cia o is pronounced roughly as chow, two syllables with the second softened; many non-native speakers approximate it as "cha-oh" or "chow." The term is inexpressively neutral in written form, though tone and context convey level of familiarity.

Global reach and variants: since the mid-20th century, ciao has entered many languages and cultures through music, travel, and media. It is often used online and in tourism contexts as a light, friendly greeting or farewell. Some languages adopt ciao as an informal loanword, while others preserve their own equivalents for formal settings. In Italian, the term remains inherently casual and affectionate, and its use signals camaraderie or familiarity.

See also: greetings and salutations; Italian language; Venetian dialect.