Learn Italian - The many ways to say "hello" and "good bye" in Italian

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Let's get started Learning Italian with the basics - meeting and greeting your friends in Italian! These expressions will be even more important to know if you are planning a trip to Italy.  A little Italian goes a long way to making friends in Italy.  

As in English, in Italian there are many ways to greet people, and different expressions will be used depending on the situation and how well the individuals know one another.  Many easygoing, familiar, and slang expressions are commonly used in Italy today, just like here in America, although polite forms of address are still important to know in Italy.

Listed below are some of the most common ways to say, "hello." 

“Buon giorno” can be used to mean “Good morning,” when greeting family members at home and shop owners at the piazza in Italy; this phrase can also be used in more formal situations as its literal translation: “Good day.” It is a phrase used so often that in fact, that in Italy one often hears the reply shortened to simply “Giorno.” 

There are at least as many ways to say “good bye” as there are to say “hello,” in Italian, as listed below.

Notice from our list that the word ciao is unique because it can be used as an informal “hi” and a quick way to say “bye.” Ciao is used frequently throughout Italy today, but only with family and friends.  So, don't get stuck on the word ciao  - use your more formal greetings for those Italians you may meet the first time here in America or during your travels in Italy.

The word salve is also interesting.  It's originals date back many centuries.  Today, it is thought to be a bit formal and yet... still a bit informal.  In short, it is a good choice for both formal and informal situations.  Or, even when one is not sure just how "formal" the situation should be!

Use the phrases below as a guide when you are visiting Italy.  Take a walk (like the Italians love to do) and practice all of these greetings with the new people you meet at the shops, restaurants, and in the piazza! - Kathryn Occhipinti

Here are some ways to say "Hello" in Italian

Buon giorno.*
Good morning. (lit. Good day.)  used all day into the evening

Buona sera.*
Good evening.  early nighttime greeting, from about 4 PM (although the exact time of use for this phrase varies)

 Buona notte.*
Good night.   used when leaving/bedtime

 *Can be written as one word, as in buongiorno, buonasera, or buonanotte.

Buona giornata.
(Have a) good day.  wish someone a nice (entire) day

Salve.
Hello. (old greeting/ both formal and informal)

Ciao.
Hi./Bye. very informal - only for family and friends

Ciao bella!
Ciao bello!
Hey, beautiful girl! for someone you know (well)
Hey, handsome!

Come va?
How (is it) go(ing)? (a slang greeting used often)



 And some ways to say "Good Bye":

 Ci vediamo!
(Until) we see each other (again)! for family or for a friend you hope to see again soon
 
Arrivederci.
Good bye. (familiar polite)

Arrivederla.
Good bye. (polite, with respect)

ArrivederLa.
Good bye. (formal written form)

A dopo!
(See you) later! (good bye between friends)

A più tardi!
(See you) later! (good bye between friends)

A presto!
(See you) soon!
(good bye between friends)

Ciao Ciao!
Bye Bye!


 Use these phrases to agree with what someone is saying:
Si.
Yes.

Certo.
 Of course.

D’accordo.
(I) agree.

Penso di si.
(I) think so.
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Some of this material was reprinted from Conversational Italian for Travelers Just the Important Phrases (with Restaurant Vocabulary and Idiomatic Expressions), courtesy of Stella Lucente, LLC.  Book available on Amazon.com and download to electronic devices on www.LearnTravelItalian.com. 

Contact Corrine at [email protected] for special book offers with the promo code CIAP.
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