Asking How Someone Is in Italian
In Italian, how you ask 'How are you?' depends on whether you are talking to a friend (informal) or someone you respect (formal). Mastering these basic feelings is the first step to natural conversations!
Key Phrases
- Come stai? - How are you? (informal, used with friends and family)
- Come sta? - How are you? (formal, used with strangers, elders, or professionals)
To answer, you usually start with Sto (I am) followed by an adjective:
- Sto bene. (I am well.)
- Sto male. (I am bad/not well.)
- Così così. (So-so.)
Common Mistakes
Remember not to mix up stai (informal) and sta (formal)! Using stai with your teacher might sound a bit too casual.
Words
Come stai?
How are you? (informal)
Ciao Anna, come stai?Hi Anna, how are you?
Come sta?
How are you? (formal)
Buongiorno, come sta?Good morning, how are you?
Sto bene
I am well
Grazie, sto bene.Thank you, I am well.
Sto male
I am not well
Oggi sto male.Today I am not well.
così così
so-so
Sto così così.I am so-so.
stanco
tired (male/general)
Oggi sono stanco.Today I am tired.
occupato
busy
Sono occupato.I am busy.
grazie
thank you
Sto bene, grazie.I am well, thank you.
Lessons are prepared with the help of AI.
Patterns
Sto ___
Use this pattern to say how you are feeling right now.
Sto bene.I am well.
Sono ___
Use this pattern with adjectives to describe your state, like tired or busy.
Sono stanco.I am tired.