You already know that ciao is informal and buongiorno is polite, but in a real conversation you have about two seconds to choose a reply and keep the exchange moving. This speaking workshop gives you three progressively harder role-plays. You will answer a friend's 'Ciao, come stai?', handle a shopkeeper's 'Salve, come va?', and respond to a birthday 'Auguri!' without freezing. Each exercise asks you to say your reply aloud and then manage a follow-up turn, so you practise the full rhythm of an Italian greeting exchange rather than isolated words.
Prepare the reply pattern before you speak
The most reliable pattern for beginner greetings is short answer, thanks, return question. After 'Ciao, come stai?' you can say 'Bene, grazie. E tu?' After the polite 'Buongiorno, come sta?' you can say 'Sto bene, grazie. E Lei?' The return question matters because it turns a one-line reply into a conversation. Before each exercise, decide which register you need: tu for friends, family, and peers; Lei for strangers, older people, and staff. If someone asks 'Parli italiano?', the honest beginner reply is 'Sì, un po'. Sto imparando.' You can add 'Ma parlo lentamente' if you need the other person to slow down. If someone says 'Auguri' for a birthday or holiday, reply 'Grazie, auguri anche a te' in informal settings, or 'Grazie, auguri anche a Lei' in polite ones. Rehearse the sound of each reply aloud once before starting, but do not memorise a script. The goal is to choose the right pattern quickly, not to recite perfectly.
Handle the harder turn without switching to English
The harder turn usually comes after your first reply. The other person may ask a follow-up question, change the topic, or use a greeting you did not expect. For example, after you answer 'Bene, grazie. E Lei?' a shopkeeper might say 'Bene. Parla italiano?' and you need to answer honestly with 'Sì, un po'. Sto imparando.' Do not panic if you only catch part of the question. You can buy time with a short phrase such as 'Come?' or 'Può ripetere, per favore?' Then answer the part you understood. If the conversation moves to 'Auguri' and you are not sure whether the person is wishing you a happy birthday or a holiday, it is safe to say 'Grazie, altrettanto' or 'Grazie, auguri anche a te.' The key is to keep your reply short, polite, and in Italian. A simple 'Grazie' followed by a return question is almost always better than a long, uncertain sentence. Practise the pause and the return question as a single unit, because that is what keeps the exchange alive.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Ciao, come stai?
Hi, how are you?
CHOW, KOH-meh STAI
Buongiorno, come sta?
Good morning, how are you? (polite)
bwon-JOR-noh, KOH-meh stah
Salve, come va?
Hello, how's it going?
SAHL-veh, KOH-meh vah
Sì, un po'. Sto imparando.
Yes, a little. I'm learning.
see, oon POH. stoh eem-pah-RAHN-doh
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Buongiorno! Come sta?
Good morning! How are you? (polite)Buongiorno, sto bene, grazie. E Lei?
Good morning, I'm well, thanks. And you? (polite)Bene, grazie. Parla italiano?
Good, thanks. Do you speak Italian? (polite)Sì, un po'. Sto imparando.
Yes, a little. I'm learning.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
First attempt: a friend greets you at a café
You are sitting at a café in Rome. A friend your age arrives, smiles, and says 'Ciao, come stai?' You have not seen each other for two weeks. You want to reply naturally and ask about them in return.
Your task: Say your reply aloud in Italian. Start with a short answer about how you are, add thanks, and return the question with 'E tu?' Then add one true detail about your week in English or in simple Italian, using only words you already know. Keep your answer to two or three short sentences.
Unexpected complication: a shopkeeper uses salve and changes the topic
You walk into a small shop in Florence. The shopkeeper, an older woman you do not know, looks up and says 'Salve, come va?' You need something specific: a notebook and a pen. You want to reply politely and then make your request.
Your task: Say your reply aloud using polite register. Answer 'Come va?' with 'Bene, grazie. E Lei?' Then ask for the notebook and pen in Italian, for example 'Vorrei un quaderno e una penna, per favore.' Speak clearly and keep your tone friendly but not overly familiar.
Realistic follow-up decision: a birthday auguri at a family gathering
You are at a small family gathering in Italy. A relative you have just met, an older cousin of your host, smiles and says 'Auguri!' because it is your birthday. Several other people are nearby and may also wish you well. You want to thank her politely and decide whether to return the wish.
Your task: Say your reply aloud in Italian. Thank her with 'Grazie' or 'Grazie mille.' Then decide whether to return the wish. Because it is your birthday, a simple 'Grazie mille!' is enough, and you may also add 'Grazie, auguri anche a Lei' if you want to be warm and polite. Keep your reply short and add a simple comment such as 'Sono contento di essere qui' if you can say it comfortably.
Common questions
When someone says 'Ciao, come stai?' can I just say 'Bene' and stop?
You can, but it sounds abrupt. Adding 'grazie' and a return question such as 'E tu?' makes the exchange feel natural and keeps the conversation going.
If someone says 'Auguri' for my birthday, should I say 'Auguri anche a te'?
It is polite to return the wish with 'Grazie, auguri anche a te' or 'Grazie, altrettanto'. If you prefer to keep it simple, 'Grazie mille!' is also fine.
What should I do if I do not understand the follow-up question after my greeting reply?
Use a short repair phrase such as 'Come?' or 'Può ripetere, per favore?' Then answer the part you understood. It is fine to say 'Non lo so dire bene' and continue in simple Italian.
Sources and further reading
- italian: responding to greetingsChecked September 2026
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Take today's Italian into a conversation with a Yapr AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr