Greeting is easy, even if your Italian is at zero level.
When you meet a friend, you greet him by saying Ciao (“hello”); when you meet a person you don’t know you say Buongiorno (“good morning”), or Buonasera (“good evening”) if we are at the end of the day.
When we are introduced, we shake hands saying: Piacere (“how do you”).
When the conversation is over we say “Ciao” to our friend; to the person with whom we are not in confidence we say: Arrivederci (“goodbye”), or A presto (“see you soon”), Buona giornata (have a nice day)” or Buona serata (“good evening”), depending on the time.
Yes, but what to say during the conversation to comment on what the Italian interlocutor is saying to you, making him understand that despite your basic Italian, you understand it?
Here are some tips:
- Positive, admiring exclamations: Wow! Che bello (How beautiful)! Splendido (Wonderful!) Che fortuna (So lucky!), Che piacere (What a pleasure!).
- Exclamations of surprise or doubt: Davvero (Really?), Veramente (Truly?)? Non ci credo (I can’t believe it).
- Negative exclamations: No, non è possibile (“No, it’s not possible!”); E’ terribile (“It’s terrible”), Mi dispiace (“I’m sorry”).