Italian Greetings

Greetings are among the most commonly used words in any language. That’s why they’re one of the first things you need to learn when studying a new language. In this lesson, you’ll discover how to say hello, good morning, and other everyday greetings in Italian. By the end, you'll be able to greet others like a native speaker and understand the nuances between formal and informal expressions.

How to Say Hello in Italian

The most common Italian word for hello is:

Ciao is friendly, versatile, and can be used at any time of day. However, it's informal, so it's best suited for casual situations, among friends, family, or colleagues you know well. You’ll notice that Italians often use it when answering the phone, too.

If you're speaking to someone older, someone you don't know well, or someone in a formal setting, like your boss, you should use a more polite greeting:

Salve is formal and respectful, making it suitable for both daytime and evening interactions. While slightly less common in very casual settings, it’s a safe choice when you want to show politeness.

Fun Fact: The Origin of Ciao

Did you know that ciao comes from the word for slave? In medieval Venice, people used to greet each other with sciavo vostro, meaning I am your servant. This was a way of showing respect and willingness to help. Over time, this expression was shortened and evolved into ciao, which is now used all across Italy. It’s fascinating how a phrase rooted in formality became the most casual greeting today!

Greeting a Group

When addressing multiple people, Italians often say:

This expression is friendly and inclusive. For more formal group greetings, you could also use Buongiorno a tutti or Buonasera a tutti, depending on the time of day.

Time-Based Greetings in Italian

While ciao works throughout the day, Italians also use specific greetings depending on the time. Using the correct greeting shows cultural awareness and respect.

Used until early afternoon, typically around 1–2 PM. It can be both formal and casual.

Used from early to late afternoon, though it is less common in casual conversation.

Used from around 5–6 PM until bedtime. Appropriate in both formal and casual contexts.

Not a greeting, but a farewell used when parting ways at night, typically before going to sleep.

Note: In informal speech, Italians sometimes drop the buon and simply say giorno instead of buongiorno. Context is key to sounding natural.

Other Useful Expressions

You can respond with friendly phrases such as:

Long Time No See

When greeting someone you haven’t seen in a while, Italians say:

You can combine it with other greetings to sound natural:

Summary

In this lesson, you’ve learned:

• Ciao is an informal hello for friends, family, and casual settings.
• Salve is a polite, formal hello suitable for unknown or older people.
• Time-based greetings like Buongiorno, Buon pomeriggio, Buonasera, and Buonanotte.
• How to greet groups with Ciao a tutti or Buongiorno a tutti.
• Friendly expressions for wishing someone well, like Buona giornata, Anche a te, and Altrettanto.
• How to express long time no see with Quanto tempo!

With these greetings in your toolkit, you’re ready to start conversations in Italian confidently, whether you’re meeting friends, addressing colleagues, or engaging in formal interactions.