“Ciao!”: The World’s Most Italian Word
(and Why It Means Hello and Goodbye)

Learn the meaning, history, and use of “ciao” in Italian, plus when to use formal greetings. Perfect for learners and students in The Hague.

What Does “Ciao” Mean?

You’ve heard it in movies, cafés, pop songs, and maybe even shouted it across a piazza. But what exactly does “ciao” mean?

In Italian, ciao is a friendly, informal way to say both hello and goodbye. Think of it as the Italian version of aloha — flexible, casual, and beloved. It’s used with friends, family, and people you know well.

It’s also one of Italy’s most famous language exports. Variations of ciao are now used in Romanian, Portuguese, and Bulgarian, mostly to say “goodbye”.

A Short But Servile History

Surprisingly, ciao wasn’t always so cool. It originally came from the Venetian dialect phrase s-ciào vostro (literally: I am your slave/servant). Similar to Latin’s servus, this was a courteous way of showing deference and friendliness in speech.

Over time, the phrase was shortened to simply ciao and lost its servile meaning — keeping only its friendly tone. Today, it’s used widely in informal settings across Italy and the world.

Fun Fact: The transformation of ciao from a term of servitude to a modern greeting reflects the evolution of social language norms in Italy, according to the Accademia della Crusca.

How to Pronounce “Ciao”

The Italian “ci” creates the /ʧ/ sound — just like the “ch” in church. So:

Ciao = /ʧa.o/

It’s one crisp syllable followed by two open vowels. Practice saying it like you're greeting a friend you haven’t seen since aperitivo hour.

🎧 Click here to hear it pronounced

When Not to Say “Ciao”: Formal Greetings in Italian

Yes, ciao is cool, but it’s not always appropriate. In formal situations — like meeting someone older, a professor, or during a job interview — Italians prefer different greetings.

Formal Italian Greetings:

• Salve – Neutral and polite; works in most semi-formal contexts

• Buongiorno – Good morning (used until mid-afternoon)

• Buonasera – Good evening (used from late afternoon onward)

These options are safer if you're unsure of the tone.

Goodbye, the Italian Way

Besides ciao, Italians have a buffet of ways to say farewell — each with its own flair.

Popular Goodbye Expressions:

• Arrivederci – Formal but friendly: “until we see each other again”

• Addio – Very dramatic, like “farewell forever” (think opera scenes)

• A presto – Casual: “see you soon”

• Ci vediamo – Super casual: “see ya!”

And yes, Italians do say goodbye at least two times before actually leaving.

Recap: What You Learned About “Ciao”

• It means both hello and goodbye — in informal settings

• It comes from the Venetian s-ciào vostro meaning “I’m your servant”

• It's used internationally (but informally)

• Don’t use it at work, court, or when meeting your partner’s nonna — go formal!

Want to Master Italian Greetings in The Hague?
If you're living in Den Haag and love learning how Italians really speak, our private and group Italian lessons in The Hague will help you understand every ciao, salve, and arrivederci.

Book a free lesson now and start sounding Italian from Day One.