How to Use Basic Greetings

Learn how to use basic greetings

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Lesson Transcript

Welcome to Can-Do Italian by ItalianPod101.com.

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to use basic greetings in Italian.

For example, "Hello" is

Buongiorno.

Rosa Romano is the Russo family's Italian teacher.

Her schedule for the day is:

Emily Erba at 9:00 a.m.

Isabella Russo at 12:00 p.m.

Adam Russo at 6:00 p.m.

Before you listen to the greeting exchange between the three pairs, let's preview some of its key components.

buongiorno

"good morning, good afternoon" or "hello"

buongiorno

buonasera

"good evening"

buonasera

Listen to their conversations, and pay attention to the time of day.

Rosa Romano has a morning class with Emily Erba at 9 a.m.

Buongiorno, signora Romano.

Buongiorno, signora Erba.

Later, Rosa Romano has an afternoon class with Isabella Russo at 12 p.m.

Buongiorno.

At the end of the day, Rosa Romano has an evening class with Adam Russo at 6 p.m.

Buonasera.

Buonasera, Adam.

Once more with the English translation.

Buongiorno, signora Romano.

"Good morning, Ms. Romano."

Buongiorno, singora Erba

"Good morning, Ms. Erba."

Buongiorno.

"Hello."

Buongiorno.

"Hello."

Buonasera.

"Good evening."

Buonasera, Adam.

"Good evening, Adam."

Let’s take a closer look at each of these expressions.

In the first conversation, do you remember how Emily says,

"Good morning, Ms. Romano."

Buongiorno, signora Romano.

First is Buongiorno, which literally means "good day," but translates as "good morning" in this context. Buongiorno. Buongiorno.

Note, Buongiorno is a flexible greeting that can be used to mean “good morning,” “good afternoon” or even just “hello.” You can use it all day until the evening.

Next is signora, "Ms." Signora. Signora. This is an honorific used for women.

Note, the honorific to address a man is signore, "Mr." Signore. Signore.

When placed before a family name it's common to drop the last -e, therefore it becomes signor. Signor.

Finally, the teacher’s family name, Romano. Romano. Romano.. Romano.

Together, signora Romano. "Ms. Romano." Signora Romano.

All together, Buongiorno, signora Romano. "Good morning, Ms. Romano."

Buongiorno, signora Romano.

When including a person’s name in a greeting, it’s more common to say the person’s name after the greeting.

Note: using a person’s family name in a greeting may come across as more formal.

Do you remember the teacher’s 's response?

"Good morning, Ms. Erba."

Buongiorno, signora Erba

First is Buongiorno, "Good morning," in this context. Buongiorno.

Next, signora "Ms." Signora.

Finally, Emily’s family name, Erba, pronounced in Italian. Erba. Erba. Erba.

All together, it’s Buongiorno, singora Erba "Good morning, Ms. Erba."

Buongiorno, signora Erba

Note, this exchange is formal.

In the second conversation, which takes place at noon, do you remember how Isabella says,

"Good afternoon."

Hint: It’s the same greeting as the one used in the morning.

Buongiorno.

Note that Isabella’s greeting is slightly less formal, as she doesn’t say the teacher’s name.

Buongiorno. "Good afternoon." Buongiorno.

The teacher 's response is the same,

Buongiorno.

This can translate as “Hello,” or “Good afternoon.”

Buongiorno is a common way to greet people during the day. You can use it in formal and less formal situations.

In the third conversation, which takes place in the evening at 6pm, do you remember how Adam says,

"Good evening."

Buonasera.

Buonasera. Literally, "Good evening." Buonasera.

Buonasera.

Buonasera is a common way to greet people during the evening and at night, in both formal and less formal situations.

Do you remember the teacher's response,

"Good evening, Adam."

Buonasera, Adam.

Buonasera. "Good evening." Buonasera.

Next is Adam’s name pronounced in Italian. Adam. Adam. Adam.

Together, it's Buonasera, Adam. "Good evening, Adam."

Buonasera, Adam.

Note that the teacher addresses Adam by his first name, as he’s younger. This makes the greeting sound more informal.

In Italian, there is an expression for "Good afternoon," Buon pomeriggio.

Buon "good," and pomeriggio, "afternoon."

Buon pomeriggio. "Good afternoon." Buon pomeriggio.

You can use this greeting if you really want to bring attention to the fact that it’s the afternoon. Otherwise you can simply say Buongiorno from the morning to early evening.

Let’s look at the greetings once more.

Listen and repeat, or speak along with the native speaker.

Buongiorno.

"Hello."

Buongiorno.

Buonasera.

"Good evening."

Buonasera.

Buongiorno, signora Romano.

"Good morning, Ms. Romano."

Buongiorno, signora Romano.

Ciao!

"Hi!"

Ciao!

Did you notice the last greeting?

Ciao!

Hi!

Ciao! Hi! Ciao! Ciao!

In informal situations, you can just use the greeting, ciao, "hi," at any time of the day.

Ciao is the most common greeting in Italian. However, it’s only suitable for informal situations, such as when greeting friends or relatives. It translates as "hi" or "hello," but it can also mean "good-bye." Because of this, you can use ciao both as a meeting and parting greeting.

Let's review.

Respond to the prompts by speaking aloud. Then repeat after the native speakers, focusing on pronunciation.

Ready?

Do you remember how Emily says,

"Good morning."

Buongiorno.

And how Isabella says,

"Good afternoon."

Buongiorno.

Do you remember how to say,

"Good evening."

Buonasera.

Do you remember how Emily addresses Ms. Romano?"

Signora Romano.

Let's practice.

Imagine you're Adam Russo , and you’re attending your morning class.

Respond by saying, "Good morning."

Ready?

Buongiorno, Adam.

Buongiorno.

Listen again and repeat.

Buongiorno.

Let’s try another.

Imagine you're Emily Erba , and you’re attending your afternoon class.

Respond by saying, "Good afternoon, Ms. Romano."

Ready?

Buongiorno, singora Erba

Buongiorno, signora Romano.

Listen again and repeat.

Buongiorno, signora Romano.

Let’s try one more.

Imagine you're Isabella Russo , and you meet your neighbor in the evening. Respond by saying, "Good evening."

Ready?

Buonasera.

Listen again and repeat.

Buonasera.

In this lesson, you learned how to use basic greetings in Italian. This plays an essential role in the larger skill of using basic greetings.

Remember, these Can Do lessons are about learning practical language skills.

What's next?

Show us what you can do.

When you're ready, take your assessment.

You can take it again and again, so try anytime you like.

Our teachers will assess it, and give you your results.

Keep practicing — and move on to the next lesson!

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