Italian for English speakers House · Lesson 0

Welcoming a friend to your house

Welcome a friend in Italian — Ciao Pishi, benvenuto! (Hi Pishi, welcome!) — with casual greetings.

Conversation

  1. Cassian Cassian

    Ciao Pishi, benvenuto!

    Hello Pishi, welcome!

    Tip: Pishi is a male cat, so Cassian says <benvenuto>. If Pishi was a female cat, Cassian would say <benvenuta>

  2. Pishi Pishi

    Ciao

    Hi

    Tip: A very common informal greeting

  3. Cassian Cassian

    Prego, entra

    Please, come in

  4. Pishi Pishi

    Grazie

    Thanks

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

Ciao vs Buongiorno?

Ciao = casual hi/bye (friends/family only). Buongiorno = formal/polite hello (anyone).

How do you say 'welcome' in Italian?

Benvenuto (masc. sg.), benvenuta (fem. sg.), benvenuti (pl./mixed), benvenute (pl. female only). Match gender of guests.

Italian greeting customs?

Cheek kisses (usually two, one each side) common between friends and family. Handshakes for first meetings, especially formal. Hugs less common than US.

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