Italian has more than one word for 'hello' because the right greeting depends on who you're talking to and what time of day it is. Get this right and you'll sound like you belong.
Casual vs. polite
Ciao, Marco!
Ciao is for friends, family, and anyone your own age you already know. Never use it with your boss on day one.
Buongiorno, come sta?
Buongiorno is safe with anyone you don't know well — shopkeepers, your doctor, a stranger on the street.
The clock matters
- Buongiorno — morning through early afternoon
- Buonasera — from late afternoon onward
- Buonanotte — only when actually leaving for the night
One more: arrivederci means goodbye and works in any polite situation. Ciao ciao (yes, twice) is the casual version among friends.
Vocabulary in this lesson
ciao
hi / bye (informal)
Ciao, come va?
buongiorno
good morning / good day
Buongiorno, signora.
buonasera
good evening
Buonasera a tutti.
buonanotte
good night
Buonanotte, dormi bene.
arrivederci
goodbye (polite)
Arrivederci, a presto!
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