You are at a language exchange in Toronto and want to chat naturally with Italian speakers. You already know a few words but freeze when someone says 'Ehi! Come va?' This page gives you a structured speaking plan to practise informal greetings, introduce yourself, and ask basic personal questions, so you can keep a friendly conversation going without switching to English.
Preparation: phrases to have ready before you speak
Before any conversation, decide which phrases you will use. For informal greetings, have 'Ciao' or 'Ehi' ready, followed by 'Come va?' or 'Tutto bene?'. For introductions, prepare 'Mi chiamo' plus your name, 'Sono di' plus your city, and 'Mi piace' plus an activity. For personal questions, know how to ask 'Di dove sei?' and 'Che lavoro fai?'. Also prepare polite versions with 'Lei' in case you meet someone older or in a formal role. Rehearse these aloud until they feel automatic. This reduces hesitation and lets you focus on listening. Remember that the supplied lesson phrases are your building blocks; use them exactly as they appear in the audio cards. Do not try to translate complex sentences from English on the fly. Instead, combine the phrases you have practised. For example, after 'Ciao, mi chiamo Alex', you can add 'Sono di Toronto' and 'Mi piace fare escursioni'. This creates a simple but complete introduction. Practise switching between informal 'tu' and polite 'Lei' by saying the same question in both forms: 'Quanti anni hai?' and 'Quanti anni ha?'. This helps you respond appropriately when someone uses a formal register with you.
Handling the harder turn: when the conversation moves faster
The hardest moment is when the other person replies with a longer sentence or asks a follow-up you did not expect. For example, after you say 'Mi piace cucinare', they might ask 'Cosa ti piace cucinare?' or 'Da quanto tempo cucini?'. You may not know every word, but you can still respond. Use a strategy: first, acknowledge with a short phrase like 'Ah, interessante!' or 'Bene!'. Then, if you understood the topic, give a simple answer using a phrase you know. If you did not understand, it is fine to pause and ask the person to repeat using English, or to use a source phrase like 'Tutto bene?' as a friendly check-in. This keeps the conversation going and shows you are engaged. Another challenge is when the other person uses 'tu' but you are unsure whether to use 'tu' or 'Lei'. A safe approach is to mirror their register: if they say 'Ciao' and 'Come va?', you can use 'tu' forms. If they say 'Buongiorno' and 'Come sta?', use 'Lei'. You can also ask in English if you can switch to informal, or simply wait for them to use 'Ciao' or 'tu' first. This is a natural way to navigate the register. Finally, if you need a moment to think, pause and recall the source phrases you have practised. These small strategies make you sound more fluent and give you space to recall the phrases you have practised.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Ciao!
Hi! / Hey!
CHOW (rhymes with 'now')
Ehi!
Hey!
EH-ee (like 'eh' + 'ee' said quickly)
Come va?
How's it going? / What's up?
KOH-meh vah
Che si dice?
What's up? / What's new?
keh see DEE-cheh
Ciao, mi chiamo Alex.
Hi, my name is Alex.
CHOW, mee KYAH-moh AH-leks
Sono di Toronto.
I'm from Toronto.
SOH-noh dee toh-ROHN-toh
Vengo dal Canada.
I come from Canada.
VEN-goh dahl kah-NAH-dah
Mi piace fare escursioni.
I like hiking.
mee PYAH-cheh FAH-reh es-koor-SYOH-nee
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Ehi! Come va?
Hey! How's it going?Tutto bene, grazie. E tu?
All good, thanks. And you?Così così. Che si dice di bello?
So-so. What's new?Niente di speciale. Ci vediamo dopo?
Nothing special. See you later?Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Meeting a friend of a friend at a café
You are at a café in Toronto with your friend Marco. His friend Giulia arrives. Marco introduces you: 'Questo è Alex.' Giulia smiles and says 'Ciao, piacere!' You want to greet her informally and introduce yourself.
Your task: Say aloud: a greeting, your name, where you are from, and one thing you like to do. Use the phrases from the lesson. For example: 'Ciao, piacere! Mi chiamo Alex. Sono di Toronto e mi piace fare escursioni.' Then ask her one question: 'Di dove sei?' or 'Che lavoro fai?'
Chatting with a neighbour after a language meetup
You are leaving a language meetup and walk out with a neighbour, Paolo, who is in his sixties. You have met him once before. He says 'Buonasera, come sta?' You want to respond politely and have a short conversation.
Your task: Respond politely using 'Lei' forms. Say: 'Buonasera, bene grazie. E Lei?' Then introduce yourself again: 'Mi chiamo Alex, sono di Toronto.' Ask him one polite question: 'Di dov'è?' or 'Che lavoro fa?'
At a speed-friending event with a peer
You are at a speed-friending event in Toronto. You sit down across from a person your age, Chiara. She says 'Ehi! Come va?' You have three minutes to make a connection.
Your task: Start with an informal greeting: 'Ehi! Tutto bene, grazie. E tu?' Then introduce yourself: 'Mi chiamo Alex, sono di Toronto. Mi piace cucinare e viaggiare.' Ask her two questions: 'Di dove sei?' and 'Cosa ti piace fare nel tempo libero?'
Common questions
What if I mix up 'tu' and 'Lei' when speaking?
It happens to everyone. If you notice, you can correct yourself by simply switching to the correct form. Most people appreciate the effort and will not be offended. Practising both forms aloud before a conversation helps reduce mistakes.
How can I remember all these phrases without freezing?
Focus on three or four core phrases first: a greeting, your name, where you are from, and one like. Rehearse them until they are automatic. Then add one question at a time. Using them in real conversations, even briefly, will make them stick better than memorizing long lists.
Sources and further reading
- italian: greet friends casuallyChecked September 2026
- italian: introduce yourself sociallyChecked September 2026
- italian: ask basic personal questionsChecked September 2026
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