23 Greetings in Italian and When to Use Them

Like many other languages, learning how to greet someone is an essential part of Italian culture. Italians are known for their warmth and expressiveness, but they also value formality and respect in social interactions. Whether meeting someone for the first time, catching up with a friend, or bidding farewell, knowing the right greeting in Italian for the context can help you leave a positive impression. From time-based salutations to regional phrases, we'll explore 23 Italian greetings, when to use them, and whether they're formal or informal.

The Importance of Formality in Italian Greetings

Italian greetings are more than just words—they're a reflection of the social dynamic. In Italy, greetings vary based on the level of formality and the relationship between the speakers. With strangers, elders, or in professional settings, formal greetings are a must. These expressions show respect and establish a polite tone. On the other hand, informal greetings are welcome among family, friends, and peers, where a more relaxed approach is appreciated. Understanding this distinction helps you navigate Italian culture with ease and confidence when learning Italian.

How to Say Hello in Italian Based on the Time of Day

The first thing to know about greetings in Italian is that there are different ways of saying hello based on the time of day. Like in many other languages, how you greet someone changes slightly, whether it's morning, afternoon, evening, or night. These are almost as important as learning Italian grammar! The Italian greetings that change throughout the day are as follows:

Boungiorno

This means "good morning" in Italian and can be used until early afternoon. Since it's considered polite, it can be used in formal or informal settings. If you're at a loss for a greeting in Italian, buongiorno is safe for almost every situation until around 16:00.

Buon pomeriggio

Although this technically means "good afternoon," it's not used very often. Instead, most people greet each other using buongiorno or another Italian greeting.

Buonasera

Once the afternoon hits, most Italians will switch to saying buonasera, which means "good afternoon" or "good evening." It’s also polite and versatile, perfect for greeting people formally and casually.

Buonanotte

Finally, although this Italian word means "good night," it's typically reserved for saying goodbye, especially if the person is heading to bed. It’s warm and informal yet respectful.

How to Greet Someone in Italian

Regardless of the time of day, there are several ways to greet someone in Italian. Often, greetings are mixed with smiles, hugs, and even a friendly kiss, whether you know the person or not! Italians are extremely welcoming, and when you speak Italian, body language is just as important as the words you use. Some of the most common Italian greetings that you can use include the following:

Ciao

The quintessential Italian greeting, ciao, means both “hello” and “goodbye.” It’s informal and widely used among friends, family, and peers. However, it’s best avoided in formal or professional contexts when trying to make a good first impression. You can also add "bella" or "bello" at the end if you want to add a nice term of endearment—ciao bella!

Buondì

This cheerful way of saying “good day” is less formal than buongiorno and is often used in casual morning interactions. It's often used amongst friends or people you're close acquaintances to.

Salve

A polite yet neutral greeting, salve is perfect when you’re unsure about the level of formality required. It works well in professional settings or when meeting someone for the first time. You can also use salve if you're writing an email or a letter.

Pronto?

This greeting is specific to answering the phone and is equivalent to saying “hello?” in English. While it might sound odd to non-natives, it’s a standard telephone salutation in Italy. When used in face-to-face conversation, pronto essentially means "ready!"

Mi scusi

Literally meaning “excuse me,” mi scusi is often used to politely get someone’s attention or to apologize before starting a conversation. It's not technically a greeting in Italian on its own, but rather a way to start out a greeting without interrupting someone or coming off too strong. It’s a formal expression but commonly heard in everyday interactions. You may also want to give a warm thank you in Italian if someone gave you their attention after your conversation.

Come stai?

This informal way of asking, “How are you?” is perfect for friends and peers. Typically, it will immediately follow some version of "hello" in Italian, and it's best to actually respond when asked. Unlike in British slang where people ask, "Are you alright?" as a way to say hello and don't usually expect a response.

Come va?

An even more casual version of “How’s it going?” Come va? is a good phrase that's reserved for talking with friends. It's also a great phrase to practice with your language exchange partner after you download Tandem!

Come sta?

For a formal equivalent of come stai and come va, use come sta? This phrase is appropriate for addressing strangers, elders, or professionals.

Come va la tua giornata?

This Italian greeting is used to ask, “How is your day going?” It's a friendly and conversational way to check in with someone, often used later in the day. Using this Italian phrase can also help show someone that you're genuinely interested in their day.

Ha passato una bella giornata?

For a more formal version, you can use this phrase. This greeting in Italian is translated to, “Did you have a nice day?” It's a thoughtful follow-up question, often used in the evening or during a conversation recap.

Piacere di conoscerti

This informal version of “pleased to meet you” is ideal for casual settings or meeting someone around your age or social level. Just keep an eye on the ending, as the "ti" is what keeps this informal. If you want something even more casual, you can shorten the entire greeting in Italian to "piacere."

Piacere di conoscerla

This is the formal equivalent of piacere di conoscerti, so this Italian greeting is best used when meeting someone in a professional context or when speaking to elders. Notice how it's exactly the same aside from the ending "la."

Che piacere vederti!

Meaning “what a pleasure to see you!” this Italian phrase conveys warmth and excitement, making it ideal for reuniting with close friends or family.

Felice di vederti

Similar to che piacere vederti, this phrase expresses happiness at seeing someone and is used informally among friends and loved ones. It translates to, "I'm happy to see you" or "Nice to see you."

Da quanto tempo!

An exclamation meaning “it’s been so long!” is perfect for reuniting with someone after a long time apart, no matter how close your relationship is. However, this is one of those greetings in Italian where it's best reserved for someone you have already established a relationship with. Otherwise, it might be a bit odd.

A Few Slang Italian Greetings

Some greetings in Italian have also been created to match other Italian slang words. These are often used by younger individuals and only in very informal settings. It's best to avoid using these when you first meet someone or if you're not very close.

Bella lì

This slang greeting loosely means “all good?” and is a favorite among younger Italians for casual interactions.

Bella zio

Literally translating to “beautiful uncle,” this phrase is a term of endearment, much like saying “hey, dude” in English.

Ciao, fra

Short for fratello (“brother”), this greeting is popular among friends and conveys a sense of camaraderie.

Come butta?

A highly informal way to ask, “How’s it going?” This phrase is common among close friends and peers.

Some Regional Greetings in Italian to Know

There are about 34 different languages and dialects spoken in Italy, so it's no surprise that there are different Italian greetings based on region. Some examples of these regional greetings include the following:

• Cia’ and Uè — Common in Naples, these are informal and lively greetings that reflect the southern Italian spirit.
• Sabbinidica and Ciau — In Sicily, traditional expressions like Sabbinidica are still used, though Ciau is widely recognized.
• Ciao, Bondì, and Bona sera — In Veneto, greetings mirror standard Italian but carry a distinct local flavor in pronunciation and usage.
• Salude, Saludi, Reverissi, and Bondesiorìa — Sardinia offers a variety of expressions that range from formal to casual, making the island’s greetings uniquely rich.
• Mandi — Common in Friuli Venezia Giulia, mandi is a warm, affectionate way to say hello.

A Few Ways to Say Goodbye in Italian

Mastering how to say goodbye is just as important as knowing how to say hello. Italians often use Arrivederci in formal settings, while Arrivederla takes the formality up a notch, usually reserved for professional interactions. In casual situations, Ciao works just as well for saying goodbye as it does for saying hello.

Other farewells reflect a sense of time. For instance, A dopo means “see you later” and is used when you meet the person again soon. Similarly, A fra poco translates to “see you in a bit,” while A domani means “see you tomorrow.” If you’re parting ways with someone but hope to meet them again soon, A presto is a warm and flexible phrase that works in both formal and informal contexts.

How to Practice Greetings in Italian: Saying Hello and Goodbye

To help you practice your greetings in Italian, download Tandem today! With millions of members worldwide, you can match with an Italian speaker without moving to Italy. Having real-world conversations with like-minded individuals will help you build your skills, from basic Italian pronunciation to Italian verb conjugation and everything in between.

Who knows, you might even make some lifelong friends along the way! All you need to do is create a profile, match with a native speaker of your target language, and start communicating. Sign up for Tandem today to join our community.