Hello? Who's speaking?
'Pronto' = PRON-to. Stress the first syllable. It literally means 'ready' but is exclusively used as the Italian phone greeting.
Use 'Pronto?' every time you answer the phone in Italian. It is the universal Italian telephone greeting — never say 'Ciao' or 'Buongiorno' as your very first word when answering.
'Pronto' is Italy's equivalent of 'Hello?' on the phone. Its origin is debated — it may come from telegraph operators signalling readiness. 'Chi parla?' = who's speaking? This is the most natural Italian follow-up after answering.
Pronto?
Hello? (answering a call)
Single word is often sufficient.
Sì, pronto.
Yes, hello.
Affirmative opening — very common.
Chi è?
Who is it?
Less formal alternative to 'Chi parla?'.
The word 'pronto' as a phone greeting is uniquely Italian and baffles many foreigners. Italians find it natural because phones historically required the connection to be established before speaking. Using 'pronto' immediately signals to native speakers that you know Italian phone culture.