Italian is a beautiful and expressive language, and one of the most fundamental aspects of communication is asking someone how they are. While the most common phrase for this is “Come stai?”, there are many other variations that can add richness and authenticity to your conversations. In this article, we’ll explore 15 different ways to ask “How are you?” in Italian, along with when and how to use them.
1. Come stai?
This is the most common and widely used way to ask “How are you?” in Italian. It is informal and typically used with friends, family, and peers.
- Example: Ciao Luca! Come stai? (Hi Luca! How are you?)
2. Come sta?
The formal version of “Come stai?”, used in professional or respectful situations, such as with elders, colleagues, or strangers.
- Example: Buongiorno, signora Rossi! Come sta? (Good morning, Mrs. Rossi! How are you?)
3. Come va?
A casual way to ask “How’s it going?” This can be used in both formal and informal settings and is slightly less personal than “Come stai?”
- Example: Ehi Marco, come va? (Hey Marco, how’s it going?)
4. Come ti senti?
This phrase translates to “How do you feel?” and is commonly used when someone is unwell or experiencing strong emotions.
- Example: Hai avuto l’influenza la settimana scorsa. Come ti senti ora? (You had the flu last week. How do you feel now?)
5. Tutto bene?
A short and friendly way to ask if everything is okay. This phrase is often used in passing conversations.
- Example: Tutto bene con il lavoro? (Is everything okay with work?)
6. Come butta?
A very informal and slang-like phrase that means “How’s it going?” Used mostly among young people.
- Example: Ehi, come butta? (Hey, how’s it going?)
7. Che si dice?
This phrase is equivalent to “What’s new?” or “What’s up?” and is used when catching up with someone.
- Example: Ciao Marco! Che si dice? (Hi Marco! What’s new?)
8. Come vanno le cose?
A friendly way to ask “How are things going?” This is useful in both personal and professional conversations.
- Example: Come vanno le cose in ufficio? (How are things going at the office?)
9. Come procede?
A slightly more formal way to ask “How’s everything progressing?” Often used in professional or academic settings.
- Example: Come procede il tuo progetto? (How is your project progressing?)
10. Come te la passi?
This informal phrase means “How are you spending your time?” or “How are things going for you?”
- Example: Come te la passi in questi giorni? (How have you been these days?)
11. Va tutto bene?
This means “Is everything okay?” and can be used when you sense something might be wrong or just as a general greeting.
- Example: Sei un po’ silenzioso oggi. Va tutto bene? (You’re a bit quiet today. Is everything okay?)
12. Come ti va?
A relaxed way of asking “How’s it going for you?” It’s slightly more personal than “Come va?”
- Example: Come ti va la vita da studente? (How’s student life treating you?)
13. Come stanno le cose?
This phrase means “How are things?” and can be used in both personal and business conversations.
- Example: Come stanno le cose con la tua nuova casa? (How are things with your new house?)
14. Che si dice di bello?
An informal way to ask “What’s good?” or “Anything new and exciting?”
- Example: Ciao! Che si dice di bello? (Hi! What’s good?)
15. Novità?
A super short way to ask “Any news?” It’s often used in casual conversations.
- Example: Ciao ragazzi! Novità? (Hey guys! Any news?)
Conclusion
Learning multiple ways to ask “How are you?” in Italian helps you sound more natural and adaptable in different social contexts. Whether you are having a casual chat with friends, a professional meeting, or checking in on someone’s well-being, knowing these variations will make you sound more like a native speaker.
Next time you’re speaking Italian, try using one of these expressions to add variety to your conversations!