Introductions

In Italy, you can expect to meet a wide variety of new people, especially the farther south you travel. So don’t be surprised if an Italian sits next to you on the bus or on the train and starts chatting with you, even if there is plenty of space elsewhere. Instead of being wary, why not take the opportunity to expand your community of friends? Here are some preliminary phrases to get you started on the path to new adventures:

Introductions

Buongiorno. (Hello. / Good day).
Piacere. (It is a pleasure (meeting you).
Mi chiamo… (My name is…)
Come ti chiami? (What is your name?)
Di dove sei? (Where are you from?)
Sei Italiano? (Are you Italian?)
Sono… (I am…)
Americano (American)
Inglese (English)
Australiano (Australian)
Canadese.(Canadian)
Parla Inglese? / Parli Inglese? (Do you speak English? (Formal / Informal)
Mi piace l'Italia (I like Italy)
Sto studiando l'Italiano (I am studying Italian)
Mi scusi. / Scusa(Excuse me. (Formal/Informal)
Può ripetere? / Puoi ripetere? (Could you repeat? (Formal/Informal)
Può tradurre? / Puoi tradurre? (Can you translate? (Formal/Informal)
Più lentamente (More slowly)
Signor (Mr.)
Signora (Mrs.)
Signorina (Miss)
Amico/a (Friend)
Come si dice … in italiano? (How do you say … in Italian?)
Cosa significa …? (What does … mean?)
A domani! (See you tomorrow!)
A dopo! (See you later!)
Posso entrare? (May I come in?)
E' stato un piacere (It was a pleasure meeting you)
Spero di rivederla /Spero di rivederti (I hope to see you again. (Formal/Informal)
Grazie mille (Thank you very much)

Making Introductions

Learning the proper way to make introductions in Italian can help you get off to the right start. The Italian language tends to be a bit more formal than American English. Consequently, introductions in Italian follow more of a pattern than they sometimes do in North America.

Don't worry, it’s not complicated — just good manners.

Introducing yourself

First impressions are important — they can start a friendship or set the tone for your interaction with someone.

1. Start with a greeting.
The simplest greeting is Ciao or Buongiorno, which means Hello or Good Day.

2. Introduce yourself.
The two most common ways to introduce are to say Mi chiamo Name (My name is Name) or Sono Name (I'm Name).

3. Since you are meeting the person for the first time, you should use the more formal form of you.

Use the formal Lei (singular you) when speaking to people you don't know well; in situations such as in stores, restaurants, hotels, or pharmacies); and with professors, older people, and your friends' parents.

Save the informal tu (singular you) and voi (plural you) for friends, relatives, younger people, and people you know well.

The formal Loro (plural you) is rarely used and is gradually being replaced by the informal voi when addressing a group of people:

Come ti chiami? (What's your name? [Informal])
Lei come si chiama? (What's your name? [Formal])

4. After they tell you their name you should express pleasure. For example:

Piacere! (Nice to meet you!)
Piacere di conoscerLa (Pleased to meet you.)

Slang/Commonly Used Expressions

Amo l'italia! (I love Italy!)
Ti amo! (I love you!)
Salute! / Cin cin! (Cheers!)
Permesso? (May I come in?)
Ciao! (Hi! / Bye! (only Informal)