How to Respond to 'Grazie' in Italian: Formal and Informal Ways to Say 'You're Welcome'
Learn how to reply to grazie in Italian with formal and informal phrases like prego, figurati and non c'è problema, plus when each one fits.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
When someone says grazie to you in Italian, the reply you choose depends on how formal the situation is and how close you are to the person. This lesson teaches you the standard responses, from the neutral prego to the friendly figurati, and explains which one to use with a stranger, a shopkeeper, a teacher or a friend. You will also learn which responses sound natural in different parts of Italy, so you can answer confidently without sounding too stiff or too casual.
By the end, you can…
- respond to grazie with an appropriate phrase in formal situations.
- respond to grazie with an appropriate phrase among friends and family.
- choose between prego, figurati, non c'è problema and other common replies.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Prego.
You're welcome.
PREH-goh
The standard, neutral reply. Safe with strangers, shopkeepers, teachers and in any formal context.
Si figuri.
You're welcome, don't mention it (formal).
see FEE-goo-ree
Formal and polite, used with people you address as lei. Common in service situations and with older people.
Figurati.
No problem, don't mention it (informal).
fee-GOO-rah-tee
Friendly and informal, used with people you address as tu: friends, family, classmates.
Non c'è problema.
No problem.
non cheh proh-BLEH-mah
Relaxed and common in everyday speech. Works in both informal and mildly formal situations.
Non c'è di che.
Don't mention it, it was nothing.
non cheh dee keh
Warm and slightly modest. Fine in both formal and informal contexts, especially when the favour was small.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The safest default is prego: it works almost everywhere and never sounds rude. With people you address as tu, you can switch to figurati or non c'è problema. With people you address as lei, use si figuri or prego. For example: 'Grazie mille!' — 'Prego, è stato un piacere.' If a friend thanks you for a small favour, 'Figurati!' or 'Non c'è problema!' sounds natural. Notice that these replies do not change for gender; only si figuri and figurati differ in formality, not in meaning.
When to use it
Use prego when you are not sure: with a barista, a stranger who holds the door, or a colleague you do not know well. Use si figuri when you are speaking to someone older or in a formal service exchange, for example after helping a customer: 'Grazie per l'aiuto.' — 'Si figuri.' Use figurati with friends, relatives and people your age. Non c'è problema is very common in casual speech and also acceptable in many workplaces. Non c'è di che is a gentle, modest option when the help was small. In northern Italy you will hear prego and non c'è problema very often; figurati is widespread everywhere in informal talk.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Grazie mille per il suo aiuto, signora.
Thank you very much for your help, ma'am.GRAH-tsee-eh MEEL-leh pehr eel SOO-oh ah-YOO-toh, see-NYOH-rahSi figuri, è stato un piacere.
You're welcome, it was a pleasure.see FEE-goo-ree, eh STAH-toh oon pyah-CHEH-rehGrazie per il caffè!
Thanks for the coffee!GRAH-tsee-eh pehr eel kahf-FEHFigurati, non c'è problema.
No problem, don't mention it.fee-GOO-rah-tee, non cheh proh-BLEH-mahA little context goes a long way
Prego is not only a reply to thanks; it is also used to invite someone to enter, to offer something or to say 'after you'. In shops and offices, si figuri is common and polite, while figurati is reserved for people you would call tu. Younger speakers often prefer non c'è problema even in semi-formal settings, but with a professor or an older stranger, prego or si figuri is still the safer choice.
One thing to watch for
Using figurati with a stranger, a teacher or an older person you address as lei.
Try this instead: Figurati is informal and pairs with tu. In formal situations say prego or si figuri instead: 'Grazie, professore.' — 'Si figuri, è stato un piacere.'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1A shopkeeper says 'Grazie, arrivederci!' What is the safest reply?
Show a sample answer
Prego, arrivederci!
Prego is neutral and polite, so it fits a service exchange with a stranger. Si figuri would also be correct and slightly more formal.
2Your close friend says 'Grazie per la pizza!' Which informal reply fits best?
Show a sample answer
Figurati! or Non c'è problema!
Both are informal and friendly. Figurati is very common among friends; non c'è problema is equally natural in casual speech.
3You helped an older neighbour and she says 'Grazie mille.' Which reply matches the formal register?
Show a sample answer
Si figuri.
Si figuri is the formal reply used with people you address as lei. Prego would also work, but figurati would be too casual here.
Default to prego when you are unsure; use si figuri in formal situations with lei, and figurati or non c'è problema with friends and people you call tu.
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