Italian Lesson: GREETINGS

Learn basic greeting words in Italian for most common situations.

Lesson useful word 1: CIAO (Hi)

Ciao is Italian most common and simple greeting word. It's used mostly in informal situation with relatives and friends both when meeting and when leaving. It comes from an old Venetian dialect word meaning slave: Sciao (Schiavo in standard Italian). Sciavo was used as a greeting world meaning "I'm your slave" i.e. "I'm at your service". When said fast Sciao S dropped and remained ciao, which then spread all over Italy.

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Lesson useful word 2: COME VA? (How are you?)

• Come va? (How are you?)
• Bene grazie. E tu? (Fine thanks. And you?)

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Lesson useful word 3: BUONGIORNO (Good morning)

Used during daytime when meeting people, visit someone, entering a shop, a restaurant, etc. It's a word made by Buono (good) and Giorno (day).

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Lesson useful word 4: BUONASERA (Good evening)

Used to greet people from afternoon on. It varies with regions and people sensibility, but in general you won't be wrong by saying Goodevening from 5:00 p.m. on.

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Lesson useful word 5: ARRIVEDERCI (Good bye)

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Lesson useful word 6: BUONANOTTE (Good night)

Used when leaving to get home at night.

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Lesson useful word 7: GRAZIE (Thank you)

• Grazie. (Thank you)
• Prego. (You're welcome)

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Lesson useful word 8: SCUSI (Excuse me / Sorry)

Used to greet people from afternoon on. It varies with regions and people sensibility, but in general you won't be wrong by saying Goodevening from 5:00 p.m. on.

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Lesson useful word 9: PER FAVORE (Please)

Per favore is used when asking somebody a favor or making a request. It's a very useful phrase you can easily use when ordering something in bar, restaurant, cafes, etc.

Lesson useful phrases

• Un caffé per favore　（A coffee please.）
• Un cappuccino per favore （One cappuccino please）
• Una pizza per favore　（A pizza please）
• Un gelato per favore （An ice cream please）

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