Mixing of 'tschüss' and 'ciao' in saying farewell

Question

I am currently in Heidelberg, Germany. I find often that when I say tschüss, someone will reply with ciao (or: tschau) and vice-versa. This has struck me as odd because when I say tschüss, I usually expect to hear tschüss back and the same with ciao (or: tschau).

Sometimes it seems as if there is a formality factor in this. In more formal situations it seems that I don't hear ciao (or: tschau) as much as I do tschüss.

Questions:

1. Is the mixing due to any particular reason? Or is it just random, like it can be in English? (For example: A: cya .... B: bye!)
2. Is one of the two considered to be a bit more formal than the other? If not, does one age group tend to use one more than the other? (For example: older age group uses tschüss more)

I pose these questions because I don't want to get into any awkward social situations.

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N.B.: I have edited the post to include the German spelling of ciao (or: tschau), yet regardless of this, the question does not pertain to the Italian use or pronunciation of the word, only the German.

Answer 1

There are some parameters like formality, or how well you know each other, but within these, it's really just random. In this case, formality is referring to "Auf Wiedersehen" vs. "Tüdelüü".

Both are informal to the same extent. Tschüss is genuinely German, whereas the other was adopted from Italian.

I've often heard older people say "tschüss", can't say that for "ciao". But that's only where I live(d) of course.

Answer 2

I don't assume this is due to different meanings. While I can't prove it, I guess, that this might be a consequence of school drill starting in primary school to avoid word repetitions (and in your example: less sounding like an echo or a parrot). In the printed media this is especially prominent, where an article concerning Berlin will surely switch to "Hauptstadt" at the next occurrence. Despite some experts (cf. works by Wolf Schneider, such as "Deutsch für Profis") recommend to keep the same word throughout the text, since it is easier to understand (even more so for foreigners, which may not know that "Frankfurt" is the same as "Mainmetropole") this habit - exhibiting some highbrow attitude - seems to stay.

Answer 3

Personal preferences and local habits influence which variant of tschüs is chosen:

• tschüß – long /ü/
• tschüss – short /ü/
• tschü
• tschö, tschö wa …
• tschau, ciao
• tschüßi, tschüssi
• tschühüß
• tschüßikowski
• tüdelü
• tschautschau, ciao ciao
• atschüs
• adieu, adjö
• ade
• …

It may happen, as you seem to have experienced, that out of two common options, people choose the other one in a reply, but that is neither very common in my experience nor a conscious act.

Answer 4

The answer is way simpler: "Tschüss" is rather uncommon in Southern Germany.

I believe your observation was coincidental: Whenever you said "tschüss" and back came a ciao, you were talking to a Southern German. In the opposite case, you were talking to a Northern German, while you were trying to speak like a Southern German.

Generally: "Tschüss" is rarer in Southern Germany and in particular in Bavaria.

Answer 5

There is no "rule" that defines how to answer when being greeted. Actually, it's a matter of personal taste and the situation. I actually never say "Ciao" (or the German "Tschau") myself, but I often use "Tschüss". That's why I'd always answer "Tschüss", no matter whether the other person said "Tschüss" or "Tschau". One exception is when being greeted very formally - I'd never answer "Auf Wiedersehen" with "Tschüss" - maybe just "Wiedersehen", but mostly also "Auf Wiedersehen".

As to formality: "Tschüss" and "Tschau" are both informal. Personally (whithout any reference for proof) I'd say that "Tschau" would be considered a level less formal than "Tschüss".

That being said: You can also change the level of formality using different expressions. For example, if someone calls you on the phone and says "Guten Tag, mein Name ist..." and you answered "Hallo" you'd indicate that it would be ok for you to have a less formal conversation. If you answer with a careful "Guten Tag" you indicate a certain distance to the caller. It also works the other way: If someone calls you and starts "Servus, hier is der Franz!", a "Guten Tag" can tell the caller to go to a more formal level.

Answer 6

It is not random. I say "ciao" only in an italian restaurant or to younger people with non-german roots. In every day (northern) german life I say "Tschüss". I am german btw.

Answer 7

I lived in Bavaria for 5 years (near Munich), tschuss was very commonly used for goodbye, but as someone mentioned was more on a "du" basis or informal.

But being American of course I have no true understanding of it, and in fact remain mildly confused because ciao was also used commonly, but could be hello equally as well as goodbye. So we (ignorant Americans) sometimes did the same with tschuss, possibly a faux pas?

One reason I mention this: we very commonly said tschuss in this rapid phrase, often followed by a blown kiss: "bye bye tschuss!"

Answer 8

The mixing is due to the italians that build the roads there in the 60ies and 70ies. They have integrated greatly and so has part of there language, and well there is just no fancier way of saying "goodbye" then using the itaian equivalent.

Crissov points out the many variants that exist, and thats just a few. But they are all rather formal or "stick in the ass" stiff as what they'd say.

When you are on a "du" releationship use this "Tschüss,(flavor) ciao, ciao"

Flavor is like: Give regards to your husband or some stuff like that

swiss btw, so yeah the thing with going more south seems accurate