Saying Hello and Goodbye

Saying Hello and Goodbye in Italian

Welcome to your first Italian lesson! Knowing how to greet people and say goodbye is the most important first step in any language.

1. Basic Greetings

In Italian, greetings change depending on the time of day and how formal you want to be.

• Ciao - Hi / Bye (informal, used with friends and family)
• Buongiorno - Good morning / Good day (formal and polite)
• Buonasera - Good evening (formal and polite)
• Salve - Hello (neutral, polite for people you don't know well)

2. Saying Goodbye

When it is time to part ways, you can use these common farewells:

• Arrivederci - Goodbye (formal)
• Buonanotte - Good night (said right before sleeping)
• A presto - See you soon

Common Mistakes

Remember that ciao is informal. Do not use ciao when greeting a teacher, police officer, or a shopkeeper for the first time—use buongiorno or salve instead!