I've begun learning Italian in the past couple of months for the same exact sort of reason; i genitori di mio padre sono nati in Italia. Interestingly I learned about using "salve" from DuoLingo, I'd always been using "ciao" or "buon giorno", etc. I do practice Italian once in a while with the owner of an Italian restaurant I frequent. Her name is Silvia, so next time I go I will be greeting her with "Salve Silvia", the s, L and v sounds just go together!
if you're friends just say ciao Silvia. Salve + the name will sound weird to Italians, It's not formal but a little mannered, a friend won't expect that from you. Not to mention that "Salve Silvia" sounds like a tongue twister 😀 Generally speaking, adding the name sounds more formal that the greeting alone, so "ciao" alone is the best solution, or if you want to try "salve" just say salve, without the name.
I don’t know what’s your exact definition of formal situation, but buon giorno/buon pomeriggio/buona sera are also used for example when you meet your elder neighbour in the hallway of your apartment building: “Buon giorno signor Rossi”. It’s a sign of respect and it doesn’t matter how long you’ve known your neighbour for
Mind that salve is something in the mid. For a restaurant salve is perfect, if you're going to something more formal like a public office, university, police and so on buongiorno and buonasera are the truly formal ones, coupled with arrivederci/arrivederla for goodbye
Actually, we don't use "buon pomeriggio" that much. You hear buongiorno and buonasera most of the time. It's totally correct and not archaic or outdated, you won't look weird if you use it, but it's far less common than buonasera. And we use buonasera at any time after lunchtime, even at night. We only use buonanotte (good night) when we are going to sleep or someone else is going to sleep.
How would you greet someone in Italian?
I've begun learning Italian in the past couple of months for the same exact sort of reason; i genitori di mio padre sono nati in Italia. Interestingly I learned about using "salve" from DuoLingo, I'd always been using "ciao" or "buon giorno", etc. I do practice Italian once in a while with the owner of an Italian restaurant I frequent. Her name is Silvia, so next time I go I will be greeting her with "Salve Silvia", the s, L and v sounds just go together!
My father is from Calabria! That’s so amazing we share a similar story. Saying “Salve, Silva!” Is perfect 😁.
Salve Silvia sounds funny to Italian ears…. If I can give you a piece of advice …. buongiorno Silvia sounds definitely better ….
if you're friends just say ciao Silvia. Salve + the name will sound weird to Italians, It's not formal but a little mannered, a friend won't expect that from you. Not to mention that "Salve Silvia" sounds like a tongue twister 😀
Generally speaking, adding the name sounds more formal that the greeting alone, so "ciao" alone is the best solution, or if you want to try "salve" just say salve, without the name.
I don’t know what’s your exact definition of formal situation, but buon giorno/buon pomeriggio/buona sera are also used for example when you meet your elder neighbour in the hallway of your apartment building: “Buon giorno signor Rossi”. It’s a sign of respect and it doesn’t matter how long you’ve known your neighbour for
Buondi Maria! Grazie mille
Certo! Glad it helps 👍
So it’s not like in the movies 😂 good to know ‘salve’ for formal greetings! 👋
100%! Better safe than sorry 😉
Mind that salve is something in the mid. For a restaurant salve is perfect, if you're going to something more formal like a public office, university, police and so on buongiorno and buonasera are the truly formal ones, coupled with arrivederci/arrivederla for goodbye
@@tutatis96 I'll keep those in mind as well-cheers for the additional info 🙂
This is great 🤩 now we won't sound like newbs at the beginning of the sentence 😂🤗
Thanks, Maria!
Actually, we don't use "buon pomeriggio" that much. You hear buongiorno and buonasera most of the time. It's totally correct and not archaic or outdated, you won't look weird if you use it, but it's far less common than buonasera. And we use buonasera at any time after lunchtime, even at night. We only use buonanotte (good night) when we are going to sleep or someone else is going to sleep.
Very true! It’s important to mention that the times to use those greetings are different from those in the states for sure. Thanks for the insight! 😊
Nice)
Who says "buon pomeriggio"? It's buon giorno or buona sera.
It’s valid, but you’re right in that it’s not very common!
Tutte benne