How to Say Hello in Italian 🇮🇹 is one of the first and most essential phrases to learn when starting the language. Greetings are an important part of Italian culture, and knowing the right way to say hello will help you make a great first impression.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to say hello in Italian in both formal and casual situations so you can greet people with confidence.
Learning how to say hello in Italian will make your interactions warmer and more genuine. You’ll be able to connect naturally whether you’re traveling in Italy, meeting Italian speakers, or starting a conversation online.
By practicing how to say hello in Italian, you’ll sound more authentic and confident. Whether in business, friendship, or casual chats, how to say hello in Italian is a phrase you’ll use daily.
Hello in Italian Examples & Origin:
Here are 15 ways to say hello in Italian, complete with dialogue examples and the cultural or historical background that makes each one special.
1. Ciao
Origin:
From the Venetian word s-ciào, meaning “I am your servant,” it evolved into a casual greeting across Italy. Today, “ciao” means both “hello” and “goodbye.”
Example:
👤 User A: Ciao, Marco! Tutto bene?
👤 User B: Ciao! Sì, tutto a posto. E tu?
Use: Informal; perfect among friends, family, or peers.
2. Salve
Origin:
Derived from Latin salvus, meaning “safe” or “healthy,” this greeting dates back to ancient Rome and is still used in modern Italian.
Example:
👤 User A: Salve, signora Bianchi.
👤 User B: Salve! Come posso aiutarla?
Use: Neutral to formal; polite and respectful.
3. Buongiorno
Origin:
Means “good day.” A standard Italian greeting used from morning until early afternoon.
Example:
👤 User A: Buongiorno, professore!
👤 User B: Buongiorno, Giulia. Come stai?
Use: Formal or polite, great for daytime encounters.
4. Buonasera
Origin:
Literally means “good evening.” Used after 2 PM or in the early evening hours.
Example:
👤 User A: Buonasera, dottore.
👤 User B: Buonasera! È pronto per l’appuntamento?
Use: Formal; evening settings.
5. Ehilà!
Origin:
An informal attention-getting shout, like saying “Hey there!” in English.
Example:
👤 User A: Ehilà! Da quanto tempo!
👤 User B: Ehilà! È vero, troppo tempo!
Use: Very casual; enthusiastic greeting among close friends.
6. Buon pomeriggio
Origin:
Means “good afternoon,” but it’s less common in casual speech and more typical in formal communication or written form.
Example:
👤 User A: Buon pomeriggio, avvocato Rossi.
👤 User B: Buon pomeriggio! Prego, si accomodi.
Use: Formal; polite but rarely used verbally.
7. Ciao bella / Ciao bello
Origin:
Literally “hi beautiful” (feminine/masculine). Often used flirtatiously or affectionately.
Example:
👤 User A: Ciao bella, come va?
👤 User B: Ciao bello! Tutto bene, grazie!
Use: Informal, affectionate, sometimes flirtatious.
8. Pronto?
Origin:
Means “ready?”—but it’s how Italians say “hello” on the telephone.
Example:
📞 User A: Pronto?
📞 User B: Ciao! Sono io.
Use: Only used when answering the phone.
9. Bentornato / Bentornata
Origin:
Means “welcome back” (masculine/feminine). Used when someone returns.
Example:
👤 User A: Bentornata, Maria! Ci sei mancata!
👤 User B: Grazie mille! Felice di essere tornata.
Use: Warm greeting for someone returning after time away.
10. Piacere!
Origin:
Short for “Piacere di conoscerti” (Nice to meet you). Though not a direct “hello,” it’s used when meeting someone new.
Example:
👤 User A: Ciao, sono Luca.
👤 User B: Piacere! Io sono Chiara.
Use: First-time meetings; polite and friendly.
11. Uè
Origin:
Used mainly in Milan and Southern Italy, this informal greeting is similar to “Yo!” or “Hey!”
Example:
👤 User A: Uè, fratello! Tutto a posto?
👤 User B: Uè! Sì, tutto ok!
Use: Informal; regional; often among men.
12. Buongiorno a tutti
Origin:
A polite and inclusive greeting meaning “Good morning, everyone.”
Example:
👤 User A: Buongiorno a tutti!
👤 Group: Buongiorno!
Use: Group settings, meetings, classrooms.
13. Come va?
Origin:
Means “How’s it going?” While technically a question, it’s often used as a greeting.
Example:
👤 User A: Ciao! Come va?
👤 User B: Va bene, grazie! E tu?
Use: Informal, conversational.
14. Tutto bene?
Origin:
Literally, “Everything good?” Used often as a casual way to check in when saying hi.
Example:
👤 User A: Ciao! Tutto bene?
👤 User B: Sì, tutto bene! Tu?
Use: Informal; caring tone.
15. Benvenuto / Benvenuta
Origin:
Means “Welcome” (masculine/feminine). Common when greeting someone into a home, event, or community.
Example:
👤 User A: Benvenuto in Italia!
👤 User B: Grazie! È bellissima!
Use: Warm and formal; perfect for arrivals or first meetings.
Conclusion:
🇮🇹 Now that you know how to say hello in Italian, you can greet people confidently and make a warm first impression.
If you’re speaking in a formal setting, chatting with friends, or meeting new people, this simple phrase can open the door to meaningful conversations.
Keep practicing how to say hello in Italian so it becomes natural and effortless. A friendly greeting in Italian not only shows respect for the culture but also helps you connect on a more personal level.
