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Italian Greetings and Introductions
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Every Italian greeting you actually need, when to use tu and Lei, and how to introduce yourself — with pronunciation and examples.
The greetings that cover most situations
Italian greets by time of day: buongiorno (good morning / good day) until the afternoon, then buonasera (good evening). The famous ciao means both hello and goodbye — but only informally, with friends, family and young people. With strangers, shopkeepers and officials, buongiorno and buonasera are the safe choice. Buonanotte is good night as a farewell only, never a greeting.
Introducing yourself
To give your name: Mi chiamo… (I call myself…) or Sono… (I am…). Mi chiamo Anna and Sono Anna both introduce Anna. To ask: Come ti chiami? (informal) or Come si chiama? (formal). Origin: Sono indiana (I am Indian — woman speaking) or Vengo dall'India (I come from India). Note the nationality agrees: indiano (man), indiana (woman).
Tu vs Lei — the register choice
For "you", tu is for friends, family, children and peers; Lei (capitalised, conjugated like she) is for strangers, older people and formal situations. Italy runs warmer than Germany — tu arrives quickly in shops and bars among younger people — but Lei remains the default with officials, doctors and anyone clearly senior. When unsure, Lei never offends.
Please, thanks and goodbye
The everyday goodbye is arrivederci (formal enough for anyone) or ciao (informal). Grazie is thanks; grazie mille (a thousand thanks) adds real warmth. Per favore is please; per piacere is its warmer southern twin. The reply to thanks is prego — which also means "please come in", "after you" and, said firmly, "I insist".
| Greeting | When to use it |
|---|---|
| ciao | hello/bye — informal only |
| buongiorno | good morning / day — until afternoon |
| buonasera | good evening — from mid-afternoon |
| buonanotte | good night — farewell only |
| arrivederci | goodbye — safe with anyone |
| grazie / prego | thanks / you're welcome |
| per favore | please |