ArrivoBuddy·30-Day Italian Course
Day 02Free
Greetings, introductions & polite words
Common greetingsPolite words & phrasesIntroduce yourselfTu vs Lei (formal/informal)
Key phrases
| Italian | Pronunciation | English | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buongiorno | bwon-JOR-no | Good morning / Good day | |
| Buonasera | bwoh-nah-SEH-rah | Good evening | |
| Ciao | CHOW | Hi / bye (informal only) | |
| Grazie mille | GRAH-tsyeh MEEL-leh | Thank you very much | |
| Prego | PREH-go | You're welcome / please | |
| Scusi | SKOO-zee | Excuse me (formal) | |
| Mi chiamo Aarav | mee KYAH-mo | My name is Aarav | |
| Vengo dall'India | VEN-go dahl-LEEN-dyah | I come from India | |
| Studio a Bologna | STOO-dyo ah bo-LOH-nyah | I study in Bologna | |
| Arrivederci | ar-ree-veh-DEHR-chee | Goodbye (formal) |
Grammar tip
Tu (informal) vs Lei (formal) — use formal by default
Tu is used with friends and peers your age. Lei is used with strangers, officials, professors, landlords, and anyone older — and shows up in verb endings: parli (tu) vs parla (Lei). Start formal; Italians will invite you to switch to tu.
India note
Greetings follow a time-based pattern like Indian languages
Buongiorno (morning/afternoon), Buonasera (evening), Buonanotte (night) — just like Hindi's subah, shyam, raat greetings. Ciao is informal only, like 'yaar' — never use it with your professor or landlord on first meeting.
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