How do you say goodbye in Italian?
In Italy the answer depends on:
- who it is
- whether you have a formal or informal relationship
- the context
- the time of day
Showing respect and good manners (buone maniere) are important to Italians. Being polite extends to how you say hello and goodbye.
Here’s an easy breakdown so you’ll know:
- what to say
- how to say it
- the right body language
When in doubt, a good rule of thumb is to listen and observe. When it comes to saying goodbye, you can often take the other person’s lead, whether it’s with someone you know very well, or you’re saying goodbye to someone you just met.
Many of the ways to say goodbye in Italian are the same, or similar, to ways to say hello.
Read on to learn a variety of ways to say goodbye in Italian, like ciao and arrivederci. You’ll also find out how to say goodbye at specific times of the day, like buona serata and buonanotte. I’ll also explain what the deal is with kissing goodbye and body language. It’s important to have some other phrases up your sleeve when parting ways, like a presto, and a dopo. Find out how to say good luck in Italian; and how to say goodbye in a letter.
Table of Contents
CIAO: Bye (informal)
Ciao is an easy and simple way to say bye to friends and family at any time of the day. You can also say Ciao ciao!, or Bye bye!
Know that: Ciao is appropriate for informal relationships. It’s not scandalously rude to say ciao to a boss or in a formal setting, but it’s definitely not polite. To make sure you’re not being rude, use arrivederci, arrivederla, or another one of the formal phrases below.
Ciao also means hi! You can use ciao to say hello to good friends and family. So it’s a great, versatile word to know.
The pronunciation of Ciao is: ch-OW.
Listen to how to pronounce Ciao here:
ARRIVEDERCI: Goodbye (informal and formal)
This is another phrase that means goodbye which you can use at any time of day, but you can use it in both formal and informal settings. Arrivederci is like saying goodbye for now. A close direct translation of arrivederci is until we see each other again, or until we meet again.
In Italy, just like when you enter a store, when you exit it is polite to say goodbye. Arrivederci is perfect for saying goodbye to the staff as you leave a bakery, a bar, a pasta shop, or any other business.
To be more formal, you can use Arrivederla when speaking to a boss or someone who you’d like to be extra polite to. A close direct translation of arrivederla is until I see you again, or until we meet again.
The pronunciation of Arrivederci is: ah-ree-veh-DAYR-chee
Listen to how to pronounce Arrivederci here:
TI SALUTO, LA SALUTO and VI SALUTO: Goodbye (informal, formal and plural)
This phrase means goodbye and you can use it at any time of day. A close direct translation is I salute you, or I say goodbye to you. However, it is a bit complicated to use because you must make sure you are using the correct form, depending on who you are saying goodbye to.
Use ti saluto (informal singular) to say goodbye to a close friend or family member, and la saluto (formal singular) for a boss, an elder, someone you don’t know well or someone you must pay proper respect to. Use vi saluto (plural) to say goodbye to more than one person at once, like a group of your friends.
The pronunciation of ti saluto, la saluto and vi saluto is: tee sah-LOO-toh, las sah-LOO-toh, and see sah-LOO-toh
Listen to how to pronounce ti saluto, la saluto and vi saluto here:
BUONA GIORNATA: Have a good day (informal and formal)
Use buona giornata in the morning and up until lunchtime when you part ways with someone in order to wish them a good day. The direct translation of buona giornata is good day, but it can only be used when saying goodbye. It is a nice way to bid farewell to anyone, from mom or dad to a new client.
The pronunciation of Buona giornata is: boo-OHN-ah jor-NAH-tah
Listen to how to pronounce Buona giornata here:
BUON POMERIGGIO: Have a good afternoon (informal and formal)
In the afternoon, use buon pomeriggio to wish someone a good afternoon when you say goodbye. You can use it when you leave a shop, say goodbye to your grandmother (or mom or friend), or to anyone else you’d like to wish a good afternoon.
The pronunciation of Buon pomeriggio is: boo-OHN poh-may-REE-joh
Listen to how to pronounce Buon pomeriggio here:
BUONA SERATA: Have a good evening (informal and formal)
Wish someone a nice evening by telling them buona serata! It is a very handy phrase to use anytime after about 4 pm, unless you are bidding someone good night before they go to sleep. It is another phrase that can be used for people you have a formal, casual or a close relationship with.
The pronunciation of Buona serata is: boo-OHN-ah say-RAH-tah
Listen to how to pronounce Buona serata here:
BUONANOTTE: Goodnight (informal and formal)
Use buonanotte to wish someone a good night, whether it’s a child, a family member, a friend or a new acquaintance. This phrase is appropriate when you or the other person is heading off to bed to sleep for the night after you say goodbye.
The short version of buonanotte is ‘notte.
To someone you know well, you may also like to add Dormi bene, which means Sleep well!
Another lovely phrase to use is Sogni d’oro, which means Dreams of gold, in order to wish someone Sweet dreams.
The pronunciation of Buonanotte is: boo-OHN-ah NOH-tay
Listen to how to pronounce Buonanotte here:
ADDIO: Farewell (formal and informal)
Addio is a way to say goodbye to someone for the last time. Because it is so final, it isn’t usually used in everyday conversation. In fact, it is considered unlucky to tell someone addio if you will hopefully see them again soon!
Instead, use addio if you must bid someone farewell either for a long time, or forever.
The pronunciation of Addio is: ah-DEE-oh
Listen to how to pronounce Addio here:
HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN ITALIAN: BODY LANGUAGE
Italians are known for using their whole body to communicate. They are physically expressive when speaking and when greeting each other hello. Saying goodbye is no exception.
For people who like having plenty personal space, this can sometimes feel awkward. To figure out the polite body language when you say goodbye, here are some guidelines.
First of all, how well do you know the person you’re saying goodbye to?
Just like when saying hello, if you are saying goodbye to someone you know well, it is normal to give them an air kiss on both cheeks (you don’t need to make contact with your lips, usually you just touch cheeks). Start with their left cheek, then the right. That means head to your right first!
Italians don’t often do full frontal body hugs when saying goodbye. Instead two cheek kisses, or a brief friendly hug are more common with friends and family.
Since the Covid pandemic, however, this custom has changed. Instead of getting too close, people often blow air kisses from a distance to say goodbye. Before the pandemic, many people gave a pat on the back or the arm when parting ways, and this has continued. Waving is also Covid-proof.
If you are saying goodbye to someone you just met, especially someone in a business or formal setting, kisses are not appropriate! A handshake is probably suitable for an office or formal relationship. Even if someone is your peer, or you’re in a casual social setting, it’s usually better not to kiss until you know them better.
When in doubt, follow the other person’s lead!
HOW TO SAY GOODBYE TO SPECIFIC PEOPLE IN ITALIAN
To say goodbye to certain people, you can include more specific words. Make sure that the formality level of your greeting matches the relationship with the person!
Informal relationships:
Ciao . . .
Arrivederci . . .
| amico (mio) | (my) friend (when speaking to a he) |
| amica (mia) | (my) friend (when speaking to a she) |
| amici | friends |
| tesoro (mio) | (my) treasure (when speaking to a he) |
| tesora (mia) | (my) treasure (when speaking to a she) |
| amore (mio) | (my) love |
| caro (mio) | (my) dear (when speaking to a he) |
| cara (mia) | (my) dear (when speaking to a she) |
| bello | handsome (when speaking to a he) |
| bella | beautiful (when speaking to a she) |
Formal relationships:
Arrivederla . . .
La saluto . . .
| Professore | Professor (when speaking to a he) |
| Professoressa | Professor (when speaking to a she) |
| Dottore | Doctor (when speaking to a he) |
| Dottoressa | Doctor (when speaking to a she) |
OTHER WORDS AND PHRASES WHEN SAYING GOODBYE
Here are some other things you can say when taking your leave of someone. You can use the following phrases after you say goodbye.
To say how nice it was to see the person:
| È stato un piacere | It was a pleasure (informal and formal) |
| È stato un piacere vederti | It was a pleasure to see you (informal singular) |
| È stato un piacere vederla | It was a pleasure to see you (formal singular) |
| È stato un piacere vedervi | It was a pleasure to see you (plural) |
| È stato un piacere rivederti | It was a pleasure to see you again (informal singular) |
| È stato un piacere rivederla | It was a pleasure to see you again (formal singular) |
| È stato un piacere rivedervi | It was a pleasure to see you again (plural) |
For example:
Arrivederla Professoressa Bianchi. È stato un piacere rivederla. Goodbye Professor Bianchi. It was a pleasure to see you again.
To say take care:
| Stammi bene | Take care, Be well (singular informal) |
| Statemi bene | Take care, Be well (plural informal) |
For example:
Addio amici, statemi bene! Farewell friends, be well!
To say you’ll see them or talk again:
| Ci sentiamo | We’ll talk/be in touch (informal) |
| Ci vediamo | See you (informal) |
| Ci si vede | See you (informal) |
Buonaserata Giuseppe! Ci vediamo! Have a good evening Giuseppe. See you!
To express when you will see them again (or hope to):
| A presto | See you soon (informal and formal) |
| A domani | See you tomorrow (informal and formal) |
| A dopo | See you later (informal) |
| A più tardi | See you later (informal and formal) |
| A fra poco | See you in a bit (informal and formal) |
| Alla prossima | Until next time (informal) |
| A stasera | See you this evening (informal and formal) |
| A lunedì/martedì etc | See you on Monday/Tuesday etc (informal and formal) |
For example:
Ciao Carlo, a dopo! Bye Carlo, see you later!
Arrivederla Signore, a più tardi. Goodbye Sir, I’ll see you later.
Buonanotte tesoro mio, a domani. Goodnight my treasure, see you tomorrow.
To give a spoken hug or kiss:
| Un bacio | A kiss (informal) |
| Un abbraccio | A hug (Informal) |
For example: Ciao amore mio! Un bacio! Goodbye my love! Here’s a kiss!
To wish good luck:
| In bocca al lupo | Good luck* (informal) |
*It means good luck, but the direct translation of in bocca al lupo is into the mouth of the wolf! Wondering what this peculiar phrase is about? Read How to Say Good luck in Italian (coming soon!). And remember, no matter what, to receive good luck you must respond with Crepi il lupo!
To give your best wishes for the future, or for a specific occasion:
| Buon proseguimento | All the best for what’s coming up, Enjoy what’s next (informal and formal) |
| Buon viaggio | Have a good trip (informal and formal) |
| Buon lavoro | All the best for your work, Good luck with your work, Have a good day at work (informal and formal) |
| Buon divertimento | Have fun (informal and formal) |
| Buon rientro | Have a good/safe trip back, All the best going back to work/normal routine (informal and formal) |
| Buono studio | All the best for your studies, Enjoy studying (informal and formal) |
| Buone vacanze | Have a good vacation (informal and formal) |
| Buon natale | Merry Christmas (informal and formal) |
| Buona pasqua | Happy Easter (informal and formal) |
| Buon anno | Happy New Year (informal and formal) |
Colleghi vi saluto! Buon natale e buone vacanze! Goodbye colleagues! Merry Christmas and have a good vacation!
HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN A LETTER
How to say goodbye in an Italian letter or email depends on whether you’re writing a formal letter (for work or business, for example), or an informal one (like to a friend or family member).
Here are some ways to sign a formal letter or email in Italian:
| Distinti saluti | Best/Distinguished regards |
| Cordiali saluti | Kind/Cordial regards |
| Cordialmente | Cordially |
Here are some ways to sign an informal letter or email in Italian:
| Cari saluti | Warm regards |
| Un abbraccio | With a hug |
| Un bacio | With a kiss |
| A presto | See you soon |
“TIME TO SAY GOODBYE” IN ITALIAN
Time to Say Goodbye is a duet by tenor Andrea Bocelli and soprano Sarah Brightman. The song’s original version in Italian is called Con Te Partirò. This means I’ll go away with you.
So how do you really say Time to Say Goodbye in Italian? It’s È l’ora di salutarci, È ora di salutarci, or È il momento di salutarci. Cue the violins!
Now that you know all about saying goodbye, how do we greet people and say hello in Italian? Read How to Say Hello in Italian to learn more.
Arrivederci and buona giornata!
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