Do you want to learn the best ways to say hello in Italian?
You can avoid being viewed as a tourist and enjoy an authentic travel experience in Italy by greeting locals in their language.to make friends with the locals, all you need to say is “hello” and watch their faces light up.
Knowing even just a few Italian words can make a big difference. Knowing that you’re interested in the people and their lovely country, as well as their culture and language, is both courteous and demonstrative of your interest.
Say Hello in Italian
Let’s start with a greeting you’d almost certainly say to any Italian you’ll meet while traveling – from the doorman to the bellhop, the pizzaiolo or the gondolier, or the signora tending the gelateria.
Here are 10 best ways to say “hello” in Italian.
1. Hi / Bye – Ciao
Pronunciation: chaow
Usage: informal Italian greeting
This greeting can be used at any time of the day until night. “Ciao” is used to say hi or hello in Italian – or “cheerio,” “so long!” and “Bye!”
Since “ciao” is an informal greeting, it is only appropriate to use it with close friends, family members, or acquaintances.
Remember to not use this greeting when speaking to someone in a position of authority like a law officer or a doctor.
2. Hello / Bye – Salve
Pronunciation: sal-veh
Usage: informal and formal Italian greeting
Depending on the context, this greeting can be both formal and casual, expressing both hello in Italian as well as good-bye.
Compared to “ciao,” “salve” a little more formal. If you’ve known someone for a long time, you’re unlikely to hear the word “salve.”
You can also use this word to congratulate someone on a formal or informal occasion at any time of the day.
3. How nice to see you – Che piacere (ri)vederti
Pronunciation: keh pyah-chair-ray (ree)veh-der-tee
Usage: informal Italian greeting
“Che piacere vederti!” and “Che piacere rivederti!” respectively translate to “What a pleasure to see you” and “What a pleasure to see you again.”
You can make your hello in Italian more energetic and emotional by telling the person it is a joy to see them. The Italian word for “pleasure” is “piacere.” The Latin root of both English and Italian words is the same.
Italians use “Che piacere (ri)vederti!” to greet someone they haven’t seen in a long time or when they see someone regularly but are elated to see them again.
This brief yet lovely Italian expression is what you say when you want to communicate how happy you are to see someone (“vederti”) or to see them again (“riverderti”).
4. Hey – Aó
Pronunciation: aaow
Usage: informal Roman dialect greeting in Rome
When in Rome, do as the Romans do and learn a few Roman greetings!
If you want to fit in with the Romans and make new friends, use the greeting “Aó!” This informal greeting that translates to hello in Italian is only used in Rome because it is derived from the Roman dialect Romanesco.
This standard Roman greeting is particularly used among friends. You will usually hear them greet each other with “Aó! Ciao! Come te butta?” which means, “How are things going?” – or “Hello! What’s up?”
“Come te butta?” has a rather strange literal translation, which is “How are you throwing yourself?”
5. Good day – Buongiorno
Pronunciation: bwon joor-noh
Usage: early day / morning greeting
During the day, say “buongiorno” to greet everyone you meet. It is the most common day greeting for strangers, as well as for elderly relatives, close friends, and other people you are familiar with. Its literal translation is “good day.”
It is customary in Italy to greet someone with a “buongiorno,” which can be used as a “hello” when you first meet them and as a “good-bye” when you part ways.
6. Good evening – Buona sera
Pronunciation: bwo-nah seh-rah
Usage: late day / evening greeting
“Buongiorno” is no longer recognized as a proper way to say hello in Italian after 4:00 PM.
When in Italy and you’re out to dinner or greeting folks late at night, use “buona sera” to say “good evening” to everybody you encounter.
Between 2:00 and 4:00 PM Italians often take a nap, a practice known as a riposo. The evening is commonly considered to be any time after the riposo hours have passed.
7. Hello to you all / Hello to everyone – Ciao a tutti
Pronunciation: chaow-a-toot-tee
Usage: greeting a group of friends
Aside from the previously suggested ways to say “hello,” you can greet a group of friends in Italian by saying, “Ciao a tutti.“
The only exception to this rule is a social gathering where it is expected that you greet everyone individually. Don’t be shy about making eye contact with strangers even if you’re among a group of friends.
8. Beautiful – Bella
Pronunciation: bell-uh
Usage: affectionate “hello” for younger people
When greeting younger people, a casual way to say hello in Italian is “bella.”
This word officially means “beautiful” or “lovely” in Italian. However, it is also used as a generic greeting in Italy, comparable to “ciao.”
This is relatively youth slang, so avoid using it with persons over the age of thirty, or if you are over the age of thirty.
“Bella” is frequently followed by an Italian term meaning “men” or “dudes,” such as “bella lì“or “bella zio.”
9. What’s up – Come butta
Pronunciation: koh-meh boot-tah
Usage: Italian slang and a way to say “hello”
In addition to the aforementioned ways to say hello in Italian, you can use “come butta” to ask the person “What’s up?” in Italian. If you want to sound a little cooler when speaking to your Italian buddies, try saying “ciao” followed by “come butta,” which is a bit more casual.
Remember to avoid using this form of greeting in public, such as when greeting a server in a restaurant even if they appear to be your age or younger. In that situation, this remark may be viewed overly direct, and the recipient may perceive it as unpleasant or even condescending.
10. Hello (on the phone) – Pronto
Pronunciation: pron-toh
Usage: neutral Italian greeting
Italians say “pronto” which means “ready” rather than “ciao” or “buongiorno” when answering the phone.
With this unique “hello,” Italians are saying they are “prepared” to listen as well as speak. It is used in both formal and informal contexts.
When your Italian teacher or friends from Italy call you next, remember to greet them with a “Pronto!” They will appreciate it!
Now you know 10 ways to say “hello” in Italian. How about “Nice to meet you”? Click here!