How to Say Hello in Italian: Buongiorno, Ciao and Tu or Lei

The most famous Italian greeting is “Ciao”, but it is informal. With strangers, shop staff and anyone older, the safe choices are “Buongiorno” until the afternoon and “Buonasera” from the late afternoon on. Say it when you walk into a shop, a bar or a restaurant. It is polite, and it is expected.

• Good morning

  Buongiorno

  bwohn-JOR-noh

  Also used in the early afternoon. Polite and safe with everyone.
• Good evening

  Buonasera

  bwoh-nah-SEH-rah

  From the late afternoon onwards.
• Hello

  Ciao

  chow

  Informal. Both "hello" and "goodbye" among friends.

Hello by time of day

• Morning and afternoon: Buongiorno. Italians often keep using it until about 4 or 5 pm.
• Evening: Buonasera. A little earlier than many visitors expect.
• Going to bed: Buonanotte means good night. It is not a greeting in the evening.
• Neutral: Salve works at any time, with anyone. It is slightly more formal than “ciao”.
• Informal: Ciao is for friends, family and young people. In a shop, staff may say it to you first.

Staff in a bar may greet you with “Dica!” (“Tell me!”). It is not rude. It means “How can I help?” Reply with your order.

• Hello (neutral)

  Salve

  SAHL-veh

  Works at any time of day with almost anyone.
• Good afternoon

  Buon pomeriggio

  bwohn poh-meh-REED-joh

  Correct, but less common than buongiorno.
• Good night

  Buona notte

  boo-AW-nah NAW-teh

  Only when someone is going to bed.

Tu or Lei: formal and informal

Italian has two words for “you”. Use Lei (formal) with strangers, older people, shop and hotel staff and in business. Use tu (informal) with friends, family, children and young people. When in doubt, use Lei. If someone wants you to use tu, they will tell you.

• How are you? (formal)

  Come sta?

  KOH-meh STAH

  The safe choice with strangers and older people.
• How are you?

  Come stai?

  KOH-meh stai

  Informal. For friends, family and children.
• Well, thank you. And you? (formal)

  Bene, grazie. E Lei?

  BEH-neh GRAH-tsyeh eh LEH-ee
• I'm fine, thank you

  Sto bene, grazie

  stoh BEH-neh GRAH-tsee-eh

  Informal.

Saying goodbye

• Goodbye

  Arrivederci

  ah-ree-veh-DEHR-chee

  Safe in all situations. The formal version is "ArrivederLa".
• See you later / See you soon

  A presto

  ah PREHS-toh

  Warm. Used with people you will see again.
• See you later

  A dopo

  ah DOH-poh

  Informal. Later the same day.
• Have a good day

  Buona giornata

  BWOH-nah jor-NAH-tah

  What shop staff say as you leave.

Please, thank you and excuse me

• Thank you

  Grazie

  GRAH-tsee-eh

  "Grazie mille" means thanks a lot.
• Please

  Per favore

  per fah-VOH-reh

  Add it to every request.
• You're welcome

  Prego

  PREH-goh

  "Prego" also means "go ahead" and "please, after you".
• Excuse me

  Scusi

  SKOO-zee

  Formal. Use it to get attention. With friends, "Scusa".
• Excuse me (to pass)

  Permesso

  pehr-MEHS-soh

  Say it when you need to pass someone, or to enter a room.
• I'm sorry

  Mi dispiace

  mih dees-pih-AH-cheh

  "Mi dispiace" is a sincere apology.

Introducing yourself

When you meet someone for the first time, give your name and say Piacere, which means “pleased to meet you”. A handshake is usual. Friends greet with a kiss on each cheek.

• Nice to meet you

  Piacere

  pee-ah-CHEH-reh

  It is also the reply. "Molto piacere" is warmer.
• My name is...

  Mi chiamo...

  mee kee-AH-moh

  Put your name in place of the dots.
• I am from (country)

  Vengo da (paese)

  VEHN-goh dah

  For example "Vengo dall’America" or "Vengo dall’Inghilterra".

Pronunciation in one minute

• Vowels: a, e, i, o, u are pure and short. Do not slide them like English vowels.
• “c” before e or i sounds like “ch”: ciao is “chow”.
• “ch” and “gh” sound like “k” and “g”: che is “keh”.
• “gn” sounds like “ny”, and “gli” like “ly”: bagno is “BAH-nyo”.
• Double letters are held a little longer. Pappa and papa are different words.
• Stress usually falls on the next-to-last syllable.

Common mistakes

1. Saying “Ciao” to everyone. It is for friends. Use “Buongiorno” with strangers.
2. Not greeting when you walk into a shop or bar. Say “Buongiorno” or “Buonasera”.
3. Saying “Buonanotte” as an evening greeting. It means good night, for going to bed.
4. Using tu with an older stranger. Use Lei until invited otherwise.
5. Rolling your “r” too much. A light tap is enough.

More for your trip

Once you can say hello, the next phrases you will need are in our Italian phrases for travel. If you are going to eat out, read how to order food in Italian.