Italian for Beginners: Replying to a Greeting Naturally
Learn to answer Italian greetings with short natural replies and follow-up questions, so you can keep a simple conversation going instead of just saying hello.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
When someone greets you in Italian, the conversation does not end with your first word. This lesson focuses on the reply turn: how to answer a greeting, say how you are, and hand the question back with a short follow-up. You will practise standard contemporary Italian phrases such as Sto bene, grazie and Tu? These replies are short, common and polite, and they work in everyday situations with friends, neighbours, classmates and shopkeepers. The aim is not to give a long speech, but to answer smoothly and keep the exchange moving.
By the end, you can…
- answer a simple Italian greeting with a short natural reply.
- say how I am using Sto bene, Così così or Non c'è male.
- return the question with E tu? or E Lei? to keep the conversation going.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Sto bene, grazie.
I'm well, thank you.
stoh BEH-neh, GRAH-tsee-eh
A standard, friendly reply to Come stai? Use it when you feel fine.
Così così.
So-so.
koh-ZEE koh-ZEE
A mild, honest reply when things are neither good nor bad. Common in casual conversation.
Non c'è male.
Not bad.
nohn cheh MAH-leh
A relaxed, understated reply. It often sounds modest rather than negative.
E tu?
And you? (informal)
eh TOO
Use with friends, family, classmates and people your age. It returns the question.
E Lei?
And you? (formal)
eh LAY
Use with strangers, older people, officials or anyone you address formally.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
A natural reply often has two parts: a short answer plus a return question. For example, a friend asks Come stai? You can answer Sto bene, grazie. E tu? The first part answers the question; E tu? gives the turn back. If you are not feeling great, Così così. E tu? also works. With a formal greeting, use E Lei? instead: Sto bene, grazie. E Lei? This pattern keeps the exchange balanced and avoids long, difficult sentences.
When to use it
Use Sto bene, grazie with most people when you feel fine. Use Così così or Non c'è male when you want a softer or more honest answer. Use E tu? only with people you would address as tu, such as friends, relatives, children and peers. Use E Lei? with people you address formally, for example a doctor, a teacher you do not know well, or an older stranger. In shops and offices, a short Buongiorno, sto bene, grazie is often enough; you do not need to ask a follow-up question if the situation is brief.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Ciao! Come stai?
Hi! How are you?CHOW! KOH-meh STAISto bene, grazie. E tu?
I'm well, thank you. And you?stoh BEH-neh, GRAH-tsee-eh. eh TOONon c'è male, grazie.
Not bad, thank you.nohn cheh MAH-leh, GRAH-tsee-ehBene. A dopo!
Good. See you later!BEH-neh. ah DOH-pohA little context goes a long way
Italian greetings often include a short reply and a return question, even in quick exchanges. Ciao is informal and common among friends, family and peers; Buongiorno or Buonasera is safer with strangers, older people or in formal settings. In many parts of Italy, people also use a light handshake in formal contexts, while friends may exchange cheek kisses. Regional usage varies, so follow the other person's tone and formality.
One thing to watch for
Answering a formal greeting with the informal E tu?
Try this instead: Match the other person's register. If someone uses Lei, reply with E Lei? For example: Sto bene, grazie. E Lei? Use E tu? only when the other person uses tu with you.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1A friend says Ciao! Come stai? Give a short natural reply and return the question.
Show a sample answer
Sto bene, grazie. E tu?
This answers with a standard positive reply and returns the question informally. Così così. E tu? is also correct if you are not feeling great.
2An older stranger says Buongiorno, come sta? Reply politely and return the question.
Show a sample answer
Sto bene, grazie. E Lei?
Come sta? is formal, so E Lei? matches the register. Sto bene, grazie is polite and standard. Non c'è male, grazie. E Lei? is also acceptable.
3You feel only average today. What short Italian reply can you use?
Show a sample answer
Così così.
Così così means so-so and fits an average day. Non c'è male is also possible, but it often sounds a little more positive or modest.
Answer an Italian greeting with a short reply plus a return question: Sto bene, grazie. E tu? Use E Lei? when the situation is formal.
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