csaó

Hungarian

Hungarian phrasebook

This entry is part of the phrasebook project, which presents criteria for inclusion based on utility, simplicity and commonness. For other Hungarian entries on this topic, see Greetings or Farewells.

Etymology

Borrowed from Italian ciao (“hi”), from Venetan s-ciao, sciavo (“slave”) (in particular the expression s-ciao vostro, literally meaning "(I am) your slave" but in essence meaning "your humble servant"), from Medieval Latin sclavus (“slave”). Doublet of szláv. See also the similar etymology at szervusz and alászolgája.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ˈt͡ʃaːo] (phonetic respelling: csáo)
• Hyphenation: csaó
• Rhymes: -oː

Interjection

csaó

1. (informal) hi, ciao
2. (informal) bye, ciao

Derived terms

• csá

 

See also

• cső
• csőváz

 

Further reading

• csaó in Nóra Ittzés, editor, A magyar nyelv nagyszótára [A Comprehensive Dictionary of the Hungarian Language] (Nszt.), Budapest: Akadémiai Kiadó, 2006–2031 (work in progress; published a–ez as of 2024).