What does xo mean?
Whether in an Internet chat, an email, SMS or a letter, some people use the abbreviation "xo" as a farewell greeting. But what does this mean and when should you use the abbreviation and when not?
What does the abbreviation mean?
- The abbreviation "xo" comes from English and means "hugs and kisses". The German translation for this is "hugs and kisses".
- The "x" is supposed to symbolize the kissable mouth; the "o" represents the outstretched arms of two people facing each other who want to hug.
When can you use "xo" and when not?
The abbreviation is (so far) only used to say goodbye and not as a greeting or in the middle of the text. Normally, in the first case, you write the abbreviation, add a comma and then your own first name or nickname.
- You can use "hugs and kisses", as already mentioned, in chat programs, e-mails, text messages, in social networks or in a letter. This generally means when you send something in writing to another person. As with the majority of the other abbreviations, this one is not used in an oral conversation.
- Because of the meaning of "hugs and kisses", it should only be used with family, friends, and other people you are close to. It would be inappropriate e.g. B. to use it as a greeting at the end of an email to your employer.
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Alternative options
- Often "xo" is also capitalized or even used twice, in other words as "xoxo". You may know the latter if you've seen the Gossip Girl series.
- Another possibility is the "xx", which then only stands for "kisses". An "oo" for "hugs", however, is not (yet) used.
- In German, the abbreviation "HDL" is more common. It stands for "I love you" and is used comparable to the English "hugs and kisses".
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