When you start learning Italian, you’re stepping into a world rich with culture. Saying “hello” in Italy is crucial—it’s more than just a formality. It’s a key part of how people connect.
When you greet someone properly, whether you’re at a restaurant, a cafe, or just walking into a store, you make a good impression. This opens doors to new friendships and makes your time in Italy feel more genuine and enjoyable.
Common Ways to Say Hello in Italian
Learning how to greet someone in Italian helps you connect with locals and embrace the culture. Italy offers many ways to say hello, whether it’s a formal conversation or a casual chat. Here’s a list of common greetings to get you started.
| Italian Phrase | English Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Ciao | Hello/Hi | chow |
| Salve | Hello (formal) | sal-veh |
| Buongiorno | Good morning | bwan-jor-no |
| Buonasera | Good evening | bwan-ah-seh-rah |
| Buonanotte | Good night | bwan-ah-not-teh |
| Come va | How’s it going? | koh-meh vah |
| Pronto | Ready | prohn-toh |
| Ehilà | Hey there | eh-ee-lah |
| Ciao a tutti | Hello everyone | chow ah toot-ee |
| Buon pomeriggio | Good afternoon | bwan poh-meh-ree-joh |
| Bentornato | Welcome back | ben-tor-nah-toh |
| Benvenuto | Welcome | ben-veh-noo-toh |
| Come stai | How are you? (informal) | koh-meh stah-ee |
| Come state | How are you? (formal) | koh-meh stah-teh |
| Tutto bene | Everything is fine | toot-toh beh-neh |
| A presto | See you soon | ah preh-sto |
| Ci vediamo | See you | chee veh-dee-ah-mo |
| Buona giornata | Have a good day | bwah-nah jor-nah-tah |
| Buona serata | Have a good evening | bwah-nah seh-rah-tah |
| Alla prossima | Until next time | ah-lah proh-see-ma |
Informal Greetings in Italian
Navigating conversations in Italy becomes easier when you know the right informal greetings. These friendly expressions add warmth and charm to everyday encounters, helping you connect with locals effortlessly. From casual chats to cheerful encounters, mastering these greetings ensures you leave a lasting impression wherever you go.
Read – How to Say Hello in German: A Guide for Greetings
| Italian Phrase | English Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Ciao | Hello/Bye | chow |
| Ehi | Hey | ay |
| Salve | Hello | sal-veh |
| Buongiorno | Good morning | bwon-jor-no |
| Buonasera | Good evening | bwon-uh-seh-rah |
| Come va | How’s it going? | koh-meh vah |
| Ciao a tutti | Hello everyone | chow ah too-tee |
| Benvenuto | Welcome | ben-veh-noo-to |
| Bentornato | Welcome back | ben-tor-nah-to |
| Ci vediamo | See you | chee veh-dee-ah-mo |
| A presto | See you soon | ah pres-to |
| A dopo | See you later | ah doh-po |
| A domani | See you tomorrow | ah doh-mah-nee |
| Buon pomeriggio | Good afternoon | bwon po-meh-ree-joh |
| Buona giornata | Have a good day | bwon-ah jor-nah-tah |
| Tutto bene | Everything is good | toot-toh beh-neh |
| Come stai | How are you? | koh-meh stah-ee |
| Che si dice | What’s up? | keh see dee-che |
| Che fai di bello | What are you up to? | keh fah-ee dee beh-lo |
| Tranquillo | Calm/Relaxed | trahn-kee-lo |
Formal Greetings in Italian
Mastering formal greetings in Italian helps you make a lasting impression in business or social settings. Italians value politeness and courtesy, especially in formal conversations. This section covers essential phrases that will allow you to greet others with confidence and respect.
| Italian Phrase | English Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Buongiorno | Good morning | bwon-JOR-no |
| Buonasera | Good evening | bwo-na-SAY-ra |
| Salve | Hello | SAL-vay |
| Come sta? | How are you? | KOH-meh stah? |
| È un piacere conoscerla | It’s a pleasure to meet you | eh oon pee-ah-CHAY-reh koh-NO-sher-lah |
| Benvenuto | Welcome (male) | ben-veh-NOO-toh |
| Benvenuta | Welcome (female) | ben-veh-NOO-tah |
| Buonanotte | Good night | bwoh-nah-NOT-teh |
| Grazie mille | Thank you very much | GRAH-tsee MEEL-leh |
| Mi scusi | Excuse me | mee SKOO-zee |
| Permesso | May I? / Excuse me (for passage) | per-MESS-oh |
| A presto | See you soon | ah PRES-toh |
| Arrivederci | Goodbye | ah-ree-veh-DER-chee |
| Ci vediamo presto | We’ll see each other soon | chee veh-DYAH-mo PRES-toh |
| Spero di rivederla | I hope to see you again | SPEH-roh dee ree-veh-DER-lah |
| Buona giornata | Have a good day | BWO-nah jor-NAH-tah |
| Buona serata | Have a good evening | BWO-nah seh-RAH-tah |
| Auguri | Best wishes | ow-GOO-ree |
| Complimenti | Congratulations | kom-plee-MEN-tee |
| Tanti saluti | Many greetings | TAHN-tee sah-LOO-tee |
You may like this – How to Say Hello in Portuguese: A Complete Guide
Regional Greetings in Italy
Getting to know the different ways people say hello in Italy can make your time there more enjoyable and help you connect with locals. In Italy, each area has its own dialect and unique greetings. For example, you’ll hear “Ciao” everywhere, but in Veneto, it’s common too.
In Friuli-Venezia Giulia, people might say “Mandi.” Over in Sardinia, the greeting is “Aciu,” and in Naples, you’ll often hear “Uè.” These local sayings show the variety of languages and cultural details in each region. Learning these will help you blend in and appreciate the diverse cultural scenes of Italy.
Conclusion
Exploring Italian greetings shows us how important they are in making real connections and understanding Italian culture. Getting “Hello” right isn’t just about speaking a language well. It’s about connecting with people, showing respect, and diving into the lively Italian lifestyle. Whether it’s a friendly “Ciao” among pals or a formal “Buongiorno” at work, each greeting has its own cultural weight.
