36 phrases · Levels: A1A2B1B2
Arrivederci!
Goodbye! (formal)
Use with strangers, shopkeepers, service professionals, acquaintances, and in any situation where you want to be polite but not overly familiar. The standard formal goodbye.
Ciao!
Bye! / Hi!
Use with friends, family, colleagues you know well, and anyone of similar or younger age who you're on familiar terms with. Never with strangers, elders, or in formal situations.
Ci vediamo!
See you! / We'll see each other!
Use as a warm, casual goodbye that implies you'll meet again — most goodbyes in Italian are forward-looking. Used with friends, family, and familiar colleagues.
A presto!
See you soon!
Use when you expect to see someone again relatively soon — within days or weeks. Works in both formal and informal contexts, making it one of Italian's most versatile goodbyes.
Buona serata!
Have a good evening!
Use in the late afternoon or evening when parting — from about 5pm onwards. One of a family of 'buona + time' goodbyes that are standard in Italian.
Stammi bene!
Take care! (lit. Stay well for me)
Use with close friends and family as a warm, affectionate farewell — especially after a good visit or when you won't see them for a while. Very personal and tender.
Ci sentiamo!
We'll be in touch! / Talk soon!
Use when you'll stay in contact through calls or messages — not necessarily see the person in person. Very common in the age of WhatsApp and voice messages.
Buon viaggio!
Have a good journey!
Use when someone is departing for a journey — by car, train, plane, or any travel. One of the warmest and most used Italian departure wishes.
In bocca al lupo!
Good luck! (lit. Into the wolf's mouth!)
Use before exams, performances, interviews, presentations, or any challenging activity. The standard Italian good luck wish — never substitute with 'buona fortuna' (considered bad luck by many Italians).
A domani!
Until tomorrow! / See you tomorrow!
Use when you'll see the person again the next day — colleagues at the end of work, classmates at the end of school, neighbours who you see daily. Very common.
Salutami la tua famiglia!
Give my regards to your family!
Use as a warm parting phrase that extends your goodbye to include the other person's absent family members. Very common and deeply Italian — it shows social breadth.
Speriamo di rivederci presto!
Let's hope we see each other again soon!
Use when there's some uncertainty about when you'll meet again — you hope it will be soon but you can't promise a specific date. Warm but realistic.
Addio.
Farewell. / Goodbye (final).
Use only for final, permanent, or very long goodbyes — emigrating, ending a relationship permanently, or at a funeral. Using 'addio' casually when you'll see someone next week would seem dramatic or strange.
A risentirci!
Until we speak again! / Talk soon!
Use at the end of a phone call or when closing a conversation — implies you'll speak again soon. More phone/call-specific than 'ci sentiamo'.
Mi mancherai!
I'll miss you!
Use for emotional goodbyes with close friends, family, or partners when a longer separation is expected. More emotional weight than a standard goodbye.
Buonanotte!
Good night!
Use when parting for the night — at the end of an evening visit, before sleeping, or when someone is going to bed. Works in all registers.
A quando ci rivediamo?
When shall we see each other again?
Use as a goodbye question that immediately plans the next meeting — very Italian in its refusal to let the goodbye be the end. Ensures the relationship continues.
Grazie per tutto, è stato bellissimo!
Thank you for everything, it's been wonderful!
Use when leaving after being hosted or after a particularly enjoyable experience — dinner, party, visit, trip. It's a gracious, appreciative goodbye that acknowledges the host's effort.
Stai bene, mi raccomando!
Take care of yourself, please!
Use with genuine affection and concern — particularly with close friends or family who are going through difficult times, are travelling, or are generally in need of some care.
Non dimenticarti di noi!
Don't forget about us!
Use with warmth when someone is leaving for an extended period — moving away, going to work abroad, or starting a new life chapter. Expresses that they will be missed and that the community bonds remain.
Vai e stai bene!
Go and be well!
Use to send someone off warmly — a cheerful, encouraging goodbye that combines the departure with a wellwish. Often said with a light push or wave.
Passa a trovarci quando puoi!
Come and visit us whenever you can!
Use as a warm, open-ended invitation extended at goodbye — you're welcoming the person back before they've even left. Very Italian in its forward-looking hospitality.
Prenditi cura e vai sereno/a!
Take care and go peacefully!
Use for a warm, unhurried goodbye that wishes peace of mind to the departing person — particularly when they have something stressful ahead or need emotional support.
Ci rivediamo prima o poi!
We'll see each other sooner or later!
Use with acceptance of uncertainty about the next meeting — you trust the relationship enough to know you'll meet again, even without planning when. Relaxed and confident.
Ti abbraccio forte!
I hug you tightly! / Sending you a big hug!
Use for warm, affectionate goodbyes with close friends and family — both in person (before or after an actual hug) and in messages or calls when physical contact isn't possible.
Arrivederci alla prossima!
Goodbye until next time!
Use at the end of a recurring meeting or event — a class, a book club, a weekly appointment. It signals that this gathering will happen again and you look forward to it.
In bocca al lupo per tutto!
Good luck with everything!
Use when someone has a lot going on — multiple challenges, a difficult period — and you want to wish them well across the board. Comprehensive and warm.
Che la vita ti sorrida!
May life smile upon you!
Use for significant, emotional goodbyes — someone starting a new life chapter, leaving for a long period, or for particularly meaningful partings. More poetic than everyday goodbyes.
Scrivimi, mi raccomando!
Write to me, please!
Use when someone is leaving for a period and you want to maintain contact through messages. Very common in Italian goodbyes — maintaining connection after separation is expected.
Prima di partire sono passato/a a salutarti.
Before leaving I came by to say goodbye to you.
Use to explain the purpose of a visit — you came specifically to say goodbye before leaving. This action itself is a sign of deep respect and affection in Italian culture.
Finché non ci risentiremo, stammi bene!
Until we speak again, take care!
Use at the end of a phone call or message when there will be a gap before the next contact — a tender way to close that also sends a care message for the interval.
Porta i miei saluti a tutti!
Give my regards to everyone!
Use when someone is going to a place or group where you have shared connections — your regards travel with them to people you both know.
Restiamo in contatto!
Let's stay in touch!
Use when meeting someone you haven't seen for a while or someone new you've connected with — expressing the desire to maintain the relationship going forward.
Torna presto da noi!
Come back to us soon!
Use when hosting someone who is leaving — a guest, a visiting friend, or someone returning to another city or country. Expresses that they will be welcome and missed.
Ci vediamo al prossimo giro!
See you next round! / See you next time around!
Use in social settings that have a natural cycle — rounds of drinks at a bar, a regular social event, a game, or any situation with a 'next time' that has a natural structure.
Che tu vada bene, ovunque tu sia.
May you go well, wherever you are.
Use for particularly emotional or significant goodbyes — someone you care about deeply who is going somewhere uncertain, or a final message to mark a significant separation.