How to Say Goodbye in Italian: The Complete Guide

In 1968, Italian singer Caterina Caselli captured the essence of an Italian farewell with her hit song "Arrivederci amore, ciao." Whether you're ending a relationship or simply parting ways after a coffee with friends, knowing how to say goodbye in Italian is essential to mastering the language and culture.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about Italian farewells - from casual to formal, spoken to written. You'll discover the perfect expression for every situation and learn the cultural nuances that will help you sound like a native speaker.

The Basics: How Do You Say Goodbye in Italian?

In Italian, there are two primary ways to say goodbye: "arrivederci" for formal settings and "ciao" for casual interactions. However, Italian farewell expressions are much more nuanced, varying based on context, time of day, and your relationship with the other person.

Common Italian Goodbye Phrases for Every Situation

Casual and Informal Goodbyes

Ciao (Bye)

The quintessential Italian goodbye, "ciao" works in almost all informal situations. Use it with friends, classmates, family members, and in casual settings. Italians often repeat it for emphasis: "ciao ciao!" When ending phone calls, you might hear a quick succession of abbreviated "ciàs."

A domani (See you tomorrow)

When you know you'll see someone the next day, "a domani" is your go-to phrase. Perfect for classmates, colleagues, or anyone you meet regularly.

A presto (See you soon)

Use "a presto" when you expect to see someone again relatively soon, but don't have a specific timeframe. The word "presto" doubles as both "early" and "soon" in Italian.

A dopo (See you later)

If you're planning to meet someone later in the same day, "a dopo" communicates "see you later" perfectly. For example, if you've just arranged dinner plans over the phone, ending with "a dopo!" is appropriate.

A tra poco (In a bit)

For very short timeframes—minutes or a few hours at most—"a tra poco" indicates you'll see the person again very shortly. "Poco" literally means "not much," conveying a brief separation.

Ci vediamo (See you)

Similar to "a presto" but even more open-ended, "ci vediamo" simply means "we'll see each other." It's versatile and can be combined with time expressions:

Ci vediamo domani (See you tomorrow)
Ci vediamo presto (See you soon)
Ci vediamo più tardi (See you later)
Ci vediamo tra poco (See you in a bit)

Alla prossima (Until next time)

Derived from "alla prossima volta" (until the next time), with "volta" (time) typically omitted, this phrase works well when you want to part ways without specifying when you'll meet again.

Family and Affectionate Goodbyes

Fai il bravo (Be good)

Italian parents commonly say "fai il bravo" when saying goodbye to their children. Remember to adjust for gender and number:

Fai il bravo (masculine singular)
Fai la brava (feminine singular)
Fate i bravi (masculine plural)
Fate le brave (feminine plural)

While typically used with children, adults might use it jokingly or affectionately with close friends.

Torna presto (Come back soon)

Perfect for when someone is leaving for a trip or visit. If you're ending a vacation in Italy, locals might tell you "torna presto a trovarci!" (come visit us again soon!).

Time-Specific Farewells

Buonanotte (Goodnight)

Reserved for when you or others are heading to bed. Not to be confused with "buona notte," which refers to the night itself.

Buona giornata (Have a nice day)

Use this to wish someone a pleasant day ahead when parting ways in the morning or early afternoon.

Buona serata (Have a nice evening)

The evening equivalent of "buona giornata," use this when leaving someone in the late afternoon or evening.

Buon proseguimento (Good continuation)

This versatile phrase wishes someone a good continuation of their day or activity, appropriate at any time.

Formal Goodbyes

Arrivederci (Goodbye)

The standard formal goodbye, literally meaning "until we see each other again." Use it in professional settings, shops, restaurants, or public offices.

Arrivederla (Formal goodbye)

An elevated form of "arrivederci," where "la" is the formal equivalent of "you." Reserved for highly formal situations with professionals like doctors, lawyers, or dignitaries.

The Ultimate Farewell

Addio (Farewell)

With dramatic and sometimes melancholic connotations, "addio" is reserved for permanent or very long-term separations. Combining "a" (to) and "dio" (God), it historically meant "I commend you to God." Use sparingly and only when you truly don't expect to see someone again for a very long time, if ever.

Regional Variations in Italian Goodbyes

While standard Italian goodbyes are understood throughout the country, Italy's rich regional diversity means you'll encounter local variations:

Northern Italy

"Ciao ciao" is very common in Milan and the north
"Mandi" instead of "ciao" in Friuli
"Va bene, ci sentiamo" (Alright, we'll be in touch) in Piedmont

Central Italy

Romans often use "Aò, ce vedemo" instead of "Ci vediamo"
"Te saluto" in Tuscany instead of "Ti saluto"

Southern Italy

"Statte buono/bona" (stay well) in Naples
"Ciaone" (big ciao) in Sicily and Calabria

Slang and Informal Ways to Say Goodbye

For a truly authentic sound, try these casual Italian farewell expressions:

Ciao ciao! (Bye-bye)

The repeated form adds emphasis and friendliness.

Cià (Ta-ta)

An ultra-shortened version of "ciao," sometimes repeated in quick succession.

Ci becchiamo dopo/più tardi (I'll catch you later)

From the verb "beccarsi" (to catch or run into each other), this is popular among younger Italians.

Ci vediamo in giro (See you around)

Perfect for casual acquaintances you expect to bump into occasionally.

Baci (Kisses)

Used among close friends, especially in text messages or at the end of phone calls.

How to End Italian Letters and Emails

Formal Email and Letter Closings

Cordiali saluti (Kind regards)
Distinti saluti (Best regards)
Un saluto cordiale (A friendly greeting)
Cordialmente/Cordialità (Cordially)
Saluti (Regards)

Informal Email and Letter Closings

Un caro saluto/Cari saluti (A warm greeting/Warm regards)
Con affetto (With affection)
Tanti saluti da [city name] (Many greetings from [city])
Un caro abbraccio (A dear hug)
Un bacione (A big kiss)
Baci e abbracci (Kisses and hugs)

Alternative Closings

Buona giornata (Have a nice day)
Buona settimana (Enjoy your week)
Buon fine settimana (Have a good weekend)
Un caro saluto e buon fine settimana (Kind regards and have a good weekend)
Un saluto e a presto (Regards and see you soon)

Cultural Etiquette: The Dos and Don'ts of Italian Farewells

What To Do When Saying Goodbye in Italian

Appropriate Gestures

Hand-waving: Acceptable with informal goodbyes like "ciao" or "a presto." For formal settings, a slight raise of the hand without waving is more appropriate.
Air-kissing: Common among friends and family. Two kisses are standard—right cheek to right cheek, then left to left. Remember these are "air kisses," not lip-to-cheek contact.
Hand on shoulder: A good alternative if you're uncomfortable with kisses. A light touch on the shoulder conveys warmth without invading personal space.
Eye contact: Essential in Italian culture. Brief but direct eye contact shows respect and sincerity. Avoiding eye contact might be perceived as rudeness or disinterest.

What To Avoid When Saying Goodbye in Italian

Common Mistakes

Overusing "ciao": While convenient, using "ciao" in formal settings can appear disrespectful. When in doubt, "arrivederci" is always appropriate.
Noisy or wet-lip cheek kissing: Italian air-kissing is symbolic and shouldn't involve actual lip contact or exaggerated sounds.
Air-kissing in professional contexts: Stick to formal verbal goodbyes or handshakes in business environments.
Leaving without saying goodbye: In Italian culture, departing without a proper goodbye (the "French exit" or "ghosting") is considered highly impolite.

Contextual Examples: Using Italian Goodbyes Naturally

Understanding when to use each farewell expression requires context. Here are some real-life scenarios:

At a Restaurant

Customer: "Il conto, per favore." (The check, please.) Server: "Ecco a Lei. Sono 25 euro." (Here you are. That's 25 euros.) Customer: "Grazie mille. Arrivederci e buona serata!" (Thank you very much. Goodbye and have a good evening!)

Among Friends

Friend 1: "Devo andare, ho un appuntamento dal medico." (I have to go, I have a doctor's appointment.) Friend 2: "Va bene! Ci vediamo domani al bar?" (Alright! Shall we see each other tomorrow at the café?) Friend 1: "Sì, a domani! Ciao ciao!" (Yes, see you tomorrow! Bye-bye!)

In a Business Setting

Colleague: "È stato un piacere collaborare con Lei." (It was a pleasure working with you.) Business Partner: "Anche per me. La terrò aggiornata sui progressi." (For me as well. I'll keep you updated on the progress.) Colleague: "Grazie mille. Arrivederci e buon proseguimento di giornata." (Thank you very much. Goodbye and have a good rest of your day.)

How to Practice Your Italian Goodbyes

The best way to master Italian goodbyes is through consistent practice with native speakers. Here are some effective methods:

Language exchange: Find Italian conversation partners online or in your local community
Role-playing scenarios: Practice different goodbye situations with a study partner
Watch Italian films and TV shows: Pay attention to how characters say goodbye in different contexts
Listen to Italian music: Many songs include common farewell expressions
Online Italian courses: Learn from structured lessons with feedback from qualified instructors

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When saying goodbye in Italian, be careful to avoid these common errors:

Mixing formal and informal expressions: Saying "Ciao, arrivederla" mixes informal and ultra-formal terms, creating an awkward combination
Using "buona notte" instead of "buonanotte": The former refers to the night itself, while the latter is the proper goodbye
Pronouncing "arrivederci" incorrectly: Many non-natives stress the wrong syllable—it's ar-ri-ve-DER-ci
Missing gender agreement: Remember that expressions like "fai il bravo" change based on gender and number
Using "addio" too casually: This dramatic farewell should be reserved for truly significant separations

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