addio
farewell, goodbye (permanent)
Intermediate Interjection
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Pronunciation
/ad.ˈdi.o/
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Cultural Note
Addio literally means 'to God' (a Dio) — commending someone to God's care because you may never see them again. It carries heavy emotional weight and implies finality. Using addio casually would sound dramatic or even ominous. In everyday life, Italians strongly prefer arrivederci, ciao, or a presto, which all imply future reunion.
📝 Example Sentences
Addio, non ci vedremo più.
Farewell, we won't see each other again.
Ha detto addio alla sua vecchia vita.
She said goodbye to her old life.
Non è un addio, è un arrivederci.
It's not a farewell, it's a see-you-again.