As with most Italian greetings, you can use buongiorno both as a “hello” when you initially meet someone and as a “goodbye” when you take your leave.

Italians typically take a nap (a riposo) in the afternoon between 2:00 and 4:00 p. m. Anytime after the riposo has passed is generally considered evening. Italian rs are trilled. A trilled r is a slightly shorter, more clipped sound than a rolled r, but it is not the same sound as an English r. For a close approximation, say Italian rs as a d, with the tip of your tongue clipping the top of the back of your front teeth.

The standard response to come sta is bene grazie (BEH-neh GRAHT-see-eh), which essentially means, “I’m well, thank you. " If the other person has beaten you to the punch and asked you how you are first, you might respond bene grazie, e tu? (if they are your age or younger) or bene grazie, e lei? (if you are speaking formally). In formal settings, such as at a business meeting, asking come sta may be considered too direct and personal. If the person has traveled to meet you, it’s appropriate to ask them about their trip. You might also compliment them on an accomplishment or let them know that you admire them as a leader or expert in their field.

If you present as a woman, in many parts of Italy it is customary for you to extend your hand first when greeting someone who is presenting as a male. While shaking someone’s hand, make direct eye contact and smile. Italians normally don’t place their other hand over the top of your hand, but may grasp your elbow or upper arm. Italians typically greet friends and family with air kisses, one on the left cheek and one on the right, regardless of gender. However, in Southern Italy, men usually reserve kisses for family members only. If you’re unsure of the custom, follow the other person’s lead.

Pronto is only used as a greeting over the phone. If you use it in any other context, you’ll likely get some strange looks.

You may also be familiar with the phrase ciao bella (chow BEHL-lah), which means “hello beautiful. " This phrase is typically used flirtatiously, although it may also be used among friends. Be careful using it with acquaintances, however – they might get the wrong idea. Ciao can be used both when you arrive and when you depart, as a “hello” or a “goodbye. "

If you’ve known someone for a long time and are very close to them, they will likely consider salve too formal. In that situation, you’d be better off using ciao.

Bella is often followed by an Italian word that means “guys” or “dudes,” such as bella lì or bella zio. [11] X Research source

Avoid this type of slang in public settings, such as if you’re greeting a server at a restaurant, even if they seem to be around your age or younger. In that setting, this phrase can be considered too direct and the person might take it as rude or even condescending.

If you want to ask the other person their name, you might say come ti chiami (informal) or come si chiama (formal). If you’ve initially said your name first, you can also use e tu (informal) or e lei(formal), both of which mean “and you. "

If you’re meeting someone around your age and speaking informally, you might say incantato (or incantata if you present as female) instead. It’s similar to the English word “enchanted,” and is typically intended to be flirtatious. Italians are a bit more formal than most English-speakers. If you’re talking to an older person, address them by their title and their last name unless and until they tell you otherwise.

To ask where someone is from, you can say di dove sei (informal) or di dov’è (formal). Italians may also tell you that they are someone from a particular city. Just as in English you might say “I’m a New Yorker,” Italians may say sono Milanese or sono Romano.

“Parli inglese?” (informal) or “Parla inglese?” (formal): “Do you speak English? “Può parlare più lentamente?”: “Please speak more slowly. " “Parli un’altra lingua oltre l’italiano?”: “Do you speak a language other than Italian?” “Parla italiano con me”: “Speak to me in Italian. " Accent marks over letters merely indicate which syllable of the word should be stressed. They don’t change the sound of the letter.