Introduce yourself in Italian
Learn to introduce yourself in Italian: say your name, where you're from, and ask the other person. Includes a reusable pattern and regional notes.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In this lesson, you'll learn how to introduce yourself in Italian by stating your name and where you're from, and how to ask the same of someone else. We'll focus on the essential phrases and a simple pattern that you can reuse in many contexts. You'll also learn about formal and informal address, and regional differences in greetings.
By the end, you can…
- say my name in Italian.
- say where I am from in Italian.
- ask someone else's name and origin.
- use the pattern 'Io sono...' and 'Di dove sei?' appropriately.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Ciao, mi chiamo Marco.
Hi, my name is Marco.
CHOW, mee KYAH-moh MAR-koh
Informal greeting and introduction. Use with friends, peers, or people your age.
Buongiorno, mi chiamo Laura.
Good morning, my name is Laura.
bwon-JOR-noh, mee KYAH-moh LOW-rah
Formal or polite introduction, used in the morning or in professional settings.
Sono americano/a.
I am American.
SOH-noh ah-meh-ree-KAH-noh/nah
State your nationality. Use -o if male, -a if female.
Vengo dagli Stati Uniti.
I come from the United States.
VEN-goh dahl-yee STAH-tee oo-NEE-tee
More specific than just saying nationality; use 'vengo da' + country.
Di dove sei?
Where are you from? (informal)
dee DOH-veh say
Ask someone informally about their origin.
Di dov'è?
Where are you from? (formal)
dee doh-VEH
Ask someone formally about their origin.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern 'Io sono...' (I am...) is very versatile. You can use it to say your name: 'Io sono Marco' (I am Marco), your nationality: 'Io sono italiano' (I am Italian), or your profession: 'Io sono studente' (I am a student). Note that in Italian, the subject pronoun 'io' is often omitted because the verb ending already indicates the subject. So you can simply say 'Sono Marco'. Similarly, to ask someone's name, you can say 'Come ti chiami?' (informal) or 'Come si chiama?' (formal).
When to use it
Use 'Ciao' with friends, family, and peers. Use 'Buongiorno' (good morning) or 'Buonasera' (good evening) in formal situations, with strangers, or in professional contexts. When asking about origin, 'Di dove sei?' is informal, while 'Di dov'è?' is formal. In some regions, especially in the south, people might use 'Di dove sei?' even in semi-formal contexts, but it's safer to use the formal with strangers. Also, note that 'americano' is used for someone from the USA, but in Italian, 'americano' can sometimes refer to anyone from the Americas; to be specific, say 'statunitense' (from the United States).
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Ciao! Mi chiamo Giulia. E tu?
Hi! My name is Giulia. And you?CHOW! mee KYAH-moh JOO-lyah. eh too?Ciao, Giulia! Io sono Marco. Piacere!
Hi, Giulia! I'm Marco. Nice to meet you!CHOW, JOO-lyah! EE-oh SOH-noh MAR-koh. pyah-CHEH-reh!Piacere mio! Di dove sei, Marco?
Nice to meet you too! Where are you from, Marco?pyah-CHEH-reh MEE-oh! dee DOH-veh say, MAR-koh?Sono italiano, di Roma. E tu?
I'm Italian, from Rome. And you?SOH-noh ee-tah-LYAH-noh, dee ROH-mah. eh too?Io sono americana, di New York.
I'm American, from New York.EE-oh SOH-noh ah-meh-ree-KAH-nah, dee noo YOHRKChe bello! Benvenuta in Italia!
How nice! Welcome to Italy!keh BEL-loh! ben-veh-NOO-tah een ee-TAH-lyah!A little context goes a long way
In Italy, greetings can vary by region and context. 'Ciao' is informal and used with friends and family, but in professional settings, use 'Buongiorno' or 'Buonasera'. When meeting someone for the first time, a handshake is common, while friends may exchange cheek kisses (two in the north, sometimes three in the south). Also, when stating your origin, Italians often ask 'Di dove sei?' to learn about your hometown or region, not just your country. Be prepared to name a city or region.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Io sono americano' when you are female.
Try this instead: Use the feminine form 'americana' if you are female. For example, 'Io sono americana'. Similarly, nationality adjectives change based on gender: 'italiano' vs 'italiana'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'My name is Anna' in Italian?
Show a sample answer
Mi chiamo Anna.
'Mi chiamo' is the standard way to say your name. You could also say 'Sono Anna', which is equally correct.
2Ask an informal 'Where are you from?' in Italian.
Show a sample answer
Di dove sei?
This is the informal form. For formal, use 'Di dov'è?'. Both are correct depending on context.
3Translate: 'I am from Canada.' (male speaker)
Show a sample answer
Sono canadese.
Nationality adjectives ending in -ese are the same for both genders, like 'canadese'. So no change for male/female.
Use 'Mi chiamo...' to say your name, 'Sono di...' or 'Vengo da...' for origin, and 'Di dove sei?' to ask informally. Remember formal vs. informal and gender agreement.
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