Hi! How are you? All good?
Reading aloud: stress 'CIa-o', 'CO-me', 'TUT-to'. In texting, 'cmq' = comunque, 'tvb' = ti voglio bene.
This is the standard Italian text message opener between friends and family. Send this to check in with someone you haven't heard from in a while.
'Come stai?' = how are you? 'Tutto bene?' = all good? The double question is very characteristic of Italian texting — it shows genuine interest. In WhatsApp, Italians often use just 'Ciao!' with a wave emoji or a 'Ciao, ci sei?' to check if someone is available.
Ciao, come va?
Hi, how's it going?
Slightly more casual alternative.
Tutto ok?
Everything ok?
Shorter, very common check-in.
Sei vivo/a? 😄
Are you alive? 😄
Humorous way to reach someone who's been quiet.
Italian text conversations typically begin with greetings before getting to the point, even in messaging. Jumping straight to a request without a 'ciao' first is considered abrupt. This mirrors face-to-face Italian social norms where small talk ('converazione') is an essential social lubricant.