italiano · A1 · vocabulary · 4 minutes
Greetings and introductions
Choose time-appropriate greetings and formal or informal address.
Understand the choice
A complete introduction combines greeting, name, origin, and the right address level. Ciao is informal, while buongiorno, buonasera, and arrivederci work in neutral or formal settings.
Core rule: Mi chiamo introduces a name; venire da gives origin; formal Lei takes third-person singular forms.
Notice it in context
Buongiorno, mi chiamo Amina e vengo da Torino.
Good morning, my name is Amina and I come from Turin.
Mi chiamo is first-person reflexive; vengo is irregular first person; da Torino gives origin.
Buongiorno, come si chiama Lei?
Good morning, what is your name?
Formal Lei uses si chiama and may be capitalized.
Ciao Paolo, vieni da Napoli?
Hi Paolo, are you from Naples?
Informal tu is encoded in vieni; da gives origin.
What to remember
- Piacere is a compact “nice to meet you.”
- Buonanotte is normally a farewell before sleep, not an evening greeting.
Common trap: Do not use ciao in every formal first meeting.