How to Say Hello in Rome

A little Italian can go a long way in making your trip to Rome extra special. Just being familiar with the basics can determine whether Romans treat you like a passing tourist or a curious explorer. If you’re looking for an authentic taste of Roman life, it’s always better to indulge your curiosity, and do as the Romans do. Follow this travel advice, and you’ll reap the rewards. 

So let’s start with the basics: how to say hello in Rome.

Salve

Salve is the closest Italian translation of hello. Pronounced SAHL-vay, the term is actually Latin in origin, so when you say it you’re speaking the language of the ancient and modern Romans. You can say salve to anybody, at any time of day, making it the safest way to say hello in Rome. 

For the etymology nerds among you, salve is the imperative of the Latin verb salvēre, meaning ‘to be in good health.’ This verb has also given us the Italian equivalent of ‘cheers’ (salute) which literally means ‘to good health’. 

Survival phrase:

Salve, come sta?

Hello, how are you?

Bene, grazie. E lei?

Good thanks, and you?

Bene, grazie.

I'm good, thanks.

Buongiorno and Buonasera

Literally meaning good day, you can use buongiorno to say good morning and good afternoon. After lunch, you say buonasera (good evening), and before going to bed you say buonanotte. 

Italians also have the greeting buon pomeriggio (good afternoon). But they have never really taken to saying it - possibly because it falls during their post-lunch, pre-aperitivo afternoon nap. 

Ciao

Ciao is much more informal, and you should only use it with people you have already met. The origin of ciao carries connotations of slavery, and even though most modern Italians don’t register this, there is still some discomfort surrounding its use between strangers.

Try out some Italian in Rome!

Nobody in Rome expects you to be fluent in Italian, and wherever you go around the centre people will speak English. But showing willingness to try and you might get preferential treatment in Rome’s bars and restaurants, and on public transport. 

Italian is a really fun language to speak, both with the mouth and with the hands. It’s also phonetic, meaning you pronounce it exactly as you read it. So go out there, experiment, and have fun. And remember: when in Rome, do as the Romans do!