Significado
Informal version of 'Ciao' used for goodbye.
Contexto cultural
In the capital, 'Chaw' is a sign of being 'Arada' (cool/street-smart). It separates the city dwellers from the 'Fara' (country bumpkins). Elders may view 'Chaw' as a sign of the 'spoiled' younger generation who have forgotten their traditional roots. The use of Italian words is a linguistic scar of the 1930s occupation, but it has been reclaimed as a part of Ethiopian urban identity. On social media, 'Chaw' is often replaced by the '👋' emoji, but the phonetic 'Chaw' is still typed out in voice notes.
The Double Chaw
If you want to sound extra friendly and local, always say 'Chaw chaw' instead of just 'Chaw'.
The Elder Rule
Never say 'Chaw' to someone who looks older than 40 unless you know them very well. It can be seen as a lack of 'Chewa' (manners).
Significado
Informal version of 'Ciao' used for goodbye.
The Double Chaw
If you want to sound extra friendly and local, always say 'Chaw chaw' instead of just 'Chaw'.
The Elder Rule
Never say 'Chaw' to someone who looks older than 40 unless you know them very well. It can be seen as a lack of 'Chewa' (manners).
The Phone Sign-off
When ending a phone call, say 'Eshi, chaw' and wait for them to say it back before hanging up. It's the polite urban way.
Urban vs Rural
If you are in a small village, stick to 'Selam' or 'Dehna hun'. 'Chaw' might make you look like a 'show-off' from the city.
Ponte a prueba
Which of these people should you NOT say 'Chaw' to?
Who is the wrong person for 'Chaw'?
Elders deserve formal respect in Ethiopian culture; 'Chaw' is too casual.
Complete the common friendly goodbye.
እሺ፣ ____ ____!
'Chaw chaw' is the standard reduplicated friendly goodbye.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are hanging up the phone with a friend.
'Chaw' is the perfect informal sign-off for a phone call.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ነገ እንገናኝ? B: እሺ፣ ____።
After agreeing to meet, a goodbye like 'Chaw' is natural.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
When to use Chaw
Safe
- • Friends
- • Siblings
- • Classmates
Risky
- • Bosses
- • New acquaintances
- • In-laws
Danger
- • Grandparents
- • Priests
- • Officials
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosWho is the wrong person for 'Chaw'?
Elders deserve formal respect in Ethiopian culture; 'Chaw' is too casual.
እሺ፣ ____ ____!
'Chaw chaw' is the standard reduplicated friendly goodbye.
You are hanging up the phone with a friend.
'Chaw' is the perfect informal sign-off for a phone call.
A: ነገ እንገናኝ? B: እሺ፣ ____።
After agreeing to meet, a goodbye like 'Chaw' is natural.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasOnly if your boss is young and you have a very casual relationship. Otherwise, stick to 'Dehna hun'.
No. Unlike in Italy, in Ethiopia, it only means goodbye.
The standard spelling is ቻው. ጫው is a slangy or dialectal variation.
The formal version is 'Dehna hun' (to a man) or 'Dehna huni' (to a woman).
Reduplication ('Chaw chaw') makes the goodbye sound warmer and less abrupt.
In casual business settings among peers, yes. In formal meetings, no.
Rarely. It is primarily an urban phenomenon.
Not at all. It's just very informal.
It depends on the family. Modern urban families might allow it, but traditional ones would prefer 'Dehna hun'.
Most people write it as 'Chaw' or 'Ciao'.
Frases relacionadas
ደህና ሁን
synonymStay well / Goodbye
ሰላም
similarPeace / Hello / Bye
በቃ
builds onEnough / That's it
ነገ እንገናኝ
similarLet's meet tomorrow
ቻው ቻው
specialized formBye bye
