How are things going at work?
'Vanno' = VAN-no — double 'n', slightly held. 'Lavoro' = la-VO-ro — stress on the second syllable.
Use with someone you know moderately well — a neighbour, casual acquaintance, or colleague from a different department. It shows interest in their life without asking anything too personal.
'Come vanno le cose?' = 'How are things going?' 'Vanno' is the third-person plural of 'andare' — used because 'le cose' (things) is plural. Adding 'al lavoro' specifies the domain.
Tutto bene al lavoro?
Is everything okay at work?
Simpler yes/no framing — easy to answer with minimal effort.
Come va con il nuovo progetto?
How is the new project going?
More specific — use when you know they're working on something particular.
Hai molto da fare ultimamente?
Have you had a lot to do recently?
Acknowledges busyness — shows empathy for work stress.
The phrase 'almeno si lavora' (at least there's work) reflects a characteristic Italian philosophical acceptance of work hardship — particularly common in small business and craftwork contexts.