Italian greeting and farewell: useful phrases in Italian

They say that to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the country, you must speak its language. Thus, you will feel its culture and become a "resident" of this country, albeit not for long.

Knowledge of commonplace words increases the level of confidence of indigenous people in you, it can help everywhere: in a restaurant, museum, hotel, even on the street!

Italy is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe, the annual flow of tourists from around the world is about 50 million people. Someone wants to admire the Leaning Tower of Pisa or the famous Coliseum, someone wants to go shopping in Italy's most fashionable city - Milan, and someone wants to be inspired by romantic Venice. However, all tourists are united by one thing: the desire to learn a few phrases in Italian, so as not to get lost in the crowd.

This is a country of incredibly friendly people; here they greet not only acquaintances, but also strangers. Consider the most common Italian greetings and farewells below.

Buon giorno

This translates as "hello" or "good afternoon", this expression can be used from morning to about 5 pm. In Italy there is no expression analogous to the Russian “good morning” (perhaps because Italian aristocrats woke up late in the Middle Ages and did not have a morning for them in the afternoon). [Buon Dzhorno] is an official expression, this Italian word of greeting can be said to a stranger in the elevator, the administrator in the hotel, the waiter, the passerby and people older than.

Buona sera

Following Italian logic, “buona sera” is spoken from 5pm until midnight. It is worth mentioning some of the subtleties of etiquette: when men meet, they shake hands; when only women or men are present in the company, and women - good friends or acquaintances - here the Italian greeting is also not limited to words. It is customary to kiss on both cheeks, always starting from the left. However, be careful, this is only a universally recognized convention: such "stormy greetings" do not mean at all that Italian men are lovers of non-traditional orientation.

We turn to the translation from Italian of a greeting that has conquered the whole world, and which you have definitely heard.

Ciao

Perhaps the most popular Italian greeting is “ciao” [ciao], which at once means both “hello” and “bye” - depending on the situation in which you say this. “Chao” can be said at any time of the night or day, most often - to peers, friends, acquaintances, neighbors, relatives. In official situations and institutions or older people, you need to say either “buona sera” [buona sera] or “buon giorno” [buon jorno] and turn to “you”.

Buona notte

Italian greeting words, as in many languages, are very diverse. In the evening, “buona sera” [buona sera] smoothly passes “buona notte” [buona notte] - “good night.” As in Russian, this is said not only before bedtime, but also when meeting late at night.

Parting

There is nothing complicated here either. In an informal setting, we say “ciao”, in an official setting, we say either “buona serata” [buona serata] in the afternoon, or “buona giornata” [buona jornata] in the evening.

There is also a very common "arrivederci" with the Russian equivalent of "goodbye." If you plan to see a person again in the near future, it would be better to say “a presto” [a presto] - “see you soon”. If you do not want to complicate your life, you can only learn "arrivederci" - it is suitable for all occasions.

Thanks and more

It is very important to know how to thank in a foreign language. This is included in the lexical minimum that you need to own when traveling to a particular country. The Italian "thank you" is a very short and catchy word, "Grazie" [Grace]. The answer can be either "prego" [prego] ("please" in the sense of "not at all." Warning! Do not confuse it with "per favore" [per favor] - "please" in the interrogative sentence - "please, please. .. "), or" di niente "[di niente] -" not at all. "

Additionally

So, we examined the most popular farewells and greetings in Italian with a translation into Russian. As a general development, we give you some more phrases that undoubtedly can help you in your acquaintance with Italy.

• If you’re confused or don’t understand something when talking with an Italian citizen, then either “non capisco” [non capISCO] always saves here - I don’t understand, or the long phrase “parli più lentamente, per favore” [parly drink lentamEnte peer favore] - Speak more slowly, please.
• If you understand that communication is at an impasse, that you are ready to give up and switch to "native" English, then say "parla inglese?" [parla inglese?] - speak english?
• If you want to thank someone for the service rendered, then to the usual "thank you" you can add "You are very kind" - "lei e molto gentile" [lei e molto gentile].
• If you need to ask a stranger something on the street or apologize for the inconvenience, then use "sorry" - "Mi scusi" [Mi scuzi] or just "scusi".
• If you’re lost in time walking along the streets of Venice, you can turn to a passerby with the question “Quanto tempo?” [cuanto tempo?] - what time is it? or "Quale ora?" [kuale Ale Ora?] - what time is it?
• To answer monosyllabic questions, you don’t need to do a lot of effort: "Si" [C] - yes, "No" [But] - no.
• Learn the best excuse for all occasions: “Sono straniero” [sONo stranieri] - I am a foreigner, or “Siamo stranieri” [somo stranieri] - we are foreigners.

Etiquette

When referring to men and young people it is worth saying “Signor” (it does not matter if this signor is 8 or 68 years old). Women (mostly married) are politely addressed by Signora, while young girls and girls are best addressed by Signorina. And try not to mix it up!

When entering and leaving the store, you must always say hello and say goodbye, otherwise you will be mistaken for ignorance. This is a sign of a good upbringing!

The Italians came up with a playful saying about themselves: "If the Italians tie their hands behind their backs, he will not be able to speak." In part, they are right - the inhabitants of the Apennine Peninsula are very expressive, pronounced gesturing during a conversation is their feature. Do not be scared if your interlocutor starts waving his arms and talking loudly, this is quite normal in Italy.

From childhood, Italians create a special style of communication, which is most clearly manifested in the look - this is a whole system of gestures, facial expressions, rounding and rolling eyes, intonations and poses, the vocation of which is to highlight the true or imaginary emotions of the one who “performs” it. It is important here not only to express your thoughts to the interlocutor, but also to declare your importance and feel yourself in the spotlight. It is very important to make others understand their cheerfulness, confidence, lack of weaknesses and ability to manage life. It may seem that most often this borders on arrogance, but in the eyes of Italians this is absolutely not so! If the Italian does not know something, this does not prevent him from telling about it as if he were an expert in this matter. If he finds himself in a traffic jam — he goes around the curb if he sees his interlocutor for the first (or maybe even the first and last) time in his life — he will begin to look into his eyes as his best friend and hug him by the shoulders.

However, there is nothing surprising - the Italians, who for centuries have lived with the reputation of such "machos" in a beautiful country with a unique culture and history, in fact, believe that all this pantomime and fleur give soulfulness and imagery to the conversation.