“Ciao” & Many More Italian Greetings That Locals Use

When you enter a shop, what is the first thing you hear? For me, the first thing I hear is usually a bell or something similar, and that ding is then followed by a greeting. When I hear that greeting, I usually feel warm and welcome. But when I don’t hear that greeting, I just feel neutral.

Establishments that offer a simple hello often leave a positive, lasting impression. Friendly gestures like these can even feel like a bit of good luck! Saying a quick hello or an easy bye is a small way to brighten someone's day, so why not share a polite greeting in English or Italian for a stroke of luck?

• Hello / Bye: Ciao (chow)
• Good day / Morning: Buongiorno (bwohn-jiorno)
• Good morning (casual): Buondì (bwon-dee)
• Good afternoon / Evening: Buona sera (bwona serah)
• Good afternoon (specific): Buon pomeriggio (bwon pohm-eh-ree-jo)
• Good night: Buona notte (bwon-ah not-eh)
• Hello (formal): Salve (sal-veh)
• Hello (on phone): Pronto (pron-toh)
• Hey: Ehi / Ehilà (ey / ey-la)
• How are you: Come va? / Come stai? (com-eh vah / com-eh sta-ee)
• Welcome: Benvenuto (ben-ven-oo-toh)
• Nice to meet you: Piacere di conoscerti (pya-che-reh di coh-noh-sher-tee)
• Excuse me: Mi scusi (mi skoo-zee)
• Hello dear: Ciao caro/cara (chow caro/cara)
• Goodbye: Arrivederci (arri-ved-ertchi)
• Until next time: Alla prossima (alla pros-sima)
• See you soon: A presto (ah presto)
• Take care: Stammi bene (stammi be-neh)
• Farewell: Addio (ad-dee-yo)
• See you around: Ci vediamo (chi vee-dee-ah-mo)
• Have a nice day: Buona giornata (bwona jor-nah-ta)
• Have a good evening: Buona serata (bwona seh-rah-ta)