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Formal:
1.) Arrivederci – Goodbye!
2.) Buongiorno/buonasera – Valid both for starting and ending a conversation. extremely common and used whether in formal or informal context.
3.) Addio – This is a phrase that is very rich in drama. When you say an “Addio” you are pretty sure you’re not going to see this person ever again. It works for formal and friendly situations.
Friendly:
4.) Ciao or (ciao ciao ciao ciao ciao ;]) – Bye!
5.) Salve – Just like buongiorno, salve works great both at the beginning as at the end of a conversation, and it’s great when you are in an informal context but you don’t know someone well!
6.) Alla prossima – Literally: at the next! Figuratively: To the next time that we meet!
7.) A presto – Literally: at soon! Figuratively: Talk to you soon!
This phrase helps anytime you need to sneak out of an awkward meeting or simply when you really don’t know when you will meet that/those person again. So you just say “ok, ci vediamo presto!” or “a presto, mi raccomando”.
8.) A risentirci/risentirla (if you’re using the “lei” form) – Very formal, used in office/work language and at the end of phone calls as a polite closing form.
9.) A dopo – Literally: at later! Figuratively: See you later!
10.) Ci sentiamo/vediamo presto – Literally: We’ll hear each other; Figuratively: We will hear from each other soon/We will talk to each other soon; or just “ci sentiamo” / “ci vediamo”
11.) Ci vediamo dopo – Literally: We will see each other after; Figuratively: We will see each other later; or just “ci vediamo”
Have questions? Leave them in the comments below!
PS. As I mentioned, this is my very last episode of the 30 Minute Italian podcast. I might bring it back again in a year or I may decide to create something entirely new, but for now I’m leaving space to figure out what that will be. GRAZIE MILLE for being such a loyal listener of the podcast, and don’t forget to sign up to receive free weekly lessons by entering your name and email address below if you want to stay in touch with me.
Thank you so much for all of the podcasts. They helped give me confidence in speaking Italian during my trip to Italy last year. Best wishes to you! Alla prossima…
You’re welcome, Kerry! So glad they helped you get out there and speak. Alla prossima. :]
Grazie, Cher…buona fortuna! So glad the archives will still be available, as I just started listening to them!!
Yay! I’m so glad the archives will be of use!
Si, Gracie Cher. I have enjoyed your podcasts over the last few years. I love your enthusiasm and cheer. I’ve enjoyed the challenges, and the topics. I look forward to the bite size lessons on Sunday’s. I will miss the podcasts…but happily listen to old ones Gracie mille
Prego, Caterina! I so appreciate your passion for Italian & I’m glad to have you as a member of the community. :]
Hi Cher! I just wanted you to know how much I’m enjoying your Italian podcast. (I’m on episode 16, way to go). I’ve been studying Italian every day for 2 months now, but your podcasts just gave me this incredible boost of confidence and made me 10 times more excited about it. So thank you!
Sad to see you leave, but I’m excited for you anyway.
PS: Will the offer of you making a learning plan for Italian ever be available again? I’d love to get some help on making my schedule.
Buona fortuna,
Yours truly Anna
Ciao Anna, We actually do have it available! Here it is: https://the-iceberg-project-italian.myshopify.com/products/how-to-start-learning-italian
Un abbraccio,
Cher e Rachel
I just listened to the final episode and I feel like I’ve been broken up with. This made me so sad. I’ll have to start listening to them again from the beginning.
Yes, start from the beginning! We have 200! 🙂
Wow, had no idea that there were so many ways to say Goodbye in Italian. I am going to Italy next month and this will be super useful. Thank you!
Prego! Good luck!
Ciao belle!
Grazie per il tuo foglio di Web. I found this via DuoLingo and I am looking forward to diving into the podcasts. This has helped me make more sense of the replies and greetings when I was last in rural Tuscany. Now I’ll be able to reply and initiate with confidence!