buongiorno
Buongiorno, come sta?
Good morning, how are you?
A polite greeting used in the morning or during the day.
Buongiorno a tutti!
Good morning everyone!
Buongiorno, signora Rossi.
Good morning, Mrs. Rossi.
Used both as a greeting and a farewell during daytime hours. More formal than 'ciao'.
Collocations
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
When to use 'buongiorno'
Use 'buongiorno' from sunrise until early afternoon. After lunch, 'buonasera' (good evening) becomes more appropriate. In shops or offices, it is polite to greet with 'buongiorno' upon entering.
Gold Rule
Formality in greetings
In Italy, greetings are highly contextual. 'Buongiorno' is formal and suitable for strangers, elders, or professional settings. Avoid using it with close friends or family unless you are being intentionally polite.
Word Origin
From Italian 'buono' (good) + 'giorno' (day), literally 'good day'. The greeting 'buongiorno' emerged in the 16th century as a contraction of the full phrase 'buon giorno'.
Usage Notes
Primarily used in Italy and Italian-speaking regions. In formal settings, it is the standard greeting during daylight hours. In informal contexts, 'ciao' is more common.