Italian · Greetings & Essentials
"Goodbye" in Italian: arrivederci
arrivederci
Note: informal: ciao
The standard goodbye in Italian is arrivederci (ah-ree-veh-DEHR-chee). With friends and family, ciao is more common and also means hello. For a final farewell you may hear addio, but everyday goodbyes stick to arrivederci or ciao.
Leaving a shop
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How to pronounce arrivederci
Say it
ah-ree-veh-DEHR-chee
/ar.ri.veˈder.tʃi/
Arrivederci stresses DEHR: ah-ree-veh-DEHR-chee. The c before i is a soft ch. Ciao is still CHOW, the same as for hello.
"Goodbye" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| arrivederci | goodbye Polite default with shop staff, strangers, and mixed groups. | Polite default with shop staff, strangers, and mixed groups. |
| ciao | bye (also hi) Informal goodbye with people you call tu. | Informal goodbye with people you call tu. |
| a presto | see you soon Friendly close when you expect to meet again soon. | Friendly close when you expect to meet again soon. |
| a domani | see you tomorrow When you already know you will meet the next day. | When you already know you will meet the next day. |
| addio | farewell Rare in daily talk; sounds final or dramatic. | Rare in daily talk; sounds final or dramatic. |
How to use arrivederci in real life
- 1Leaving a shop
Arrivederci e buona giornata!
Goodbye and have a good day!
Staff often echo arrivederci when you leave.
- 2Parting from a classmate
Arrivederci, ci sentiamo più tardi!
Goodbye, talk later!
Arrivederci stays polite even with someone you know a little.
- 3Ending a phone call at work
Arrivederci, grazie per la chiamata.
Goodbye, thanks for the call.
Arrivederci stays polite on formal calls.
Mistakes English speakers make with arrivederci
Incorrect: Arrivederla! (to a close friend)
Correct: Ciao! / Arrivederci!
Arrivederla matches formal Lei. With a friend, ciao or plain arrivederci is enough.
Incorrect: Buonanotte! (leaving a shop at 5 p.m.)
Correct: Arrivederci!
Buonanotte is for bedtime or a very late goodbye, not a normal afternoon exit.
Good to know
Arrivederci literally means until we see each other again, so it feels open-ended rather than final. Friends stack ciao with a plan: ciao, a domani. On the phone, a double ciao ciao is a common casual sign-off.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Leaving a language exchange in Florence
ChatPal
È tardi. Arrivederci e grazie per stasera!
It's late. Goodbye and thanks for tonight!
You
Ciao! Ci vediamo la settimana prossima?
Bye! See you next week?
ChatPal
Certo. Allora arrivederci, a martedì!
Sure. So goodbye, until Tuesday!
You
Perfetto. Ciao, buona serata!
Perfect. Bye, have a nice evening!
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Goodbye" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Goodbye" in Italian
Should I say arrivederci or ciao?
Use ciao with friends and people your age. Use arrivederci with strangers, shop staff, and anyone you would call Lei.
Does arrivederci work on the phone?
Yes. It is a safe polite ending. Friends more often say ciao or a presto.
Is addio common?
No. Addio sounds final, like a long or emotional farewell. Daily goodbyes use arrivederci or ciao.
Can ciao mean goodbye?
Yes. Ciao is both hello and goodbye in informal Italian.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
Keep reading
- How to Learn Italian Fast and Speak with ConfidenceLearn how to learn Italian with a clear roadmap, speaking-first tactics and daily habits that turn basics into real conversation confidence.
- Translate Hello in Italian with ConfidenceLearn how to translate hello in Italian with context, pronunciation, and practice prompts. Master ciao, buongiorno, buonasera, and salve for real conversations.
