Social customs in Italy: Traditions and habits | Article

This article provides information about social and pragmatic norms in Italian. It explains how to greet people in formal and information situations, and gives details about which greetings are appropriate at different times of the day. It also discusses formal and informal forms of address (Lei & Tu) and explains how to determine which form is most appropriate in a variety of contexts.

Italian Culture: Communication | Article

This short article describes the verbal and non-verbal communication style of most Italian speakers. It explains that Italian speakers prefer a more direct communication style than most English speakers, and tend to share their opinions openly. It describes how to respond to advice and suggestions in Italian, and how to respond to Italian humor, which typically includes a large amount of sarcasm and double entendres. Finally, the article discusses how to show interest in a conversation in Italian through eye contact, gestures and physical contact.

Conversational Italian: 5 Steps to Suave Speaking Skills | Blog Post

This article includes information about conversational patterns, how to show respect, and common idiomatic expressions in Italian. It explains the importance of small talk in Italian, which is common in both informal and formal contexts. This article also provides learners with several phrases that can be used to greet and address people in Italian, as well as a list of words and phrases to avoid using in formal contexts or with strangers. The last section of this article gives learners a list of common idioms and slang words in Italian, including expressions that can be used to give an opinion or wish someone luck.

“Hello” in Italian: A Complete Guide to Formal and In | Blog Post

This article describes different greetings and goodbyes in Italian, and explains how the appropriate context in which to use them depends on the dialect of Italian that you are speaking. It also includes information on how to politely greet and say “goodbye” to elders and superiors by using the formal pronoun “lei.” The last part of the article provides information about various greetings and goodbyes that can be used in specific situations, such as phone greetings. 

The Art of Italian Greetings & Goodbyes | Article

This article provides learners with several pieces of advice related to greeting and leave-taking in Italian. The first piece of advice is to avoid overusing “ciao,” which is only appropriate to use with family members and friends. The second piece of advice is to opt for longer goodbyes and hellos, as shorter ones are considered impolite in Italian. Lastly, this article explains how to demonstrate respect through the use of the formal greetings “salve” and “arrivederci.”

How to Introduce Yourself in Italian | Blog Post

This article provides learners with information about how to introduce themselves and make friends in Italian. It includes phrases associated with formal and informal greetings, common gestures used during introductions, and polite ways to ask someone about their age or occupation. It also gives learners advice about how to introduce their friends in Italian, and explains what information can be shared during introductions in specific contexts, such as business meeting introductions. 

How to Use Tu and Lei in Italian | Article

This article provides a detailed explanation of how and when to use the Italian courtesy forms “tu” and “lei.” It includes examples of conversations between native speakers in which these pronouns are used, followed by explanations of why each speaker used the pronoun they did. The article also discusses how Italian speakers of different ages feel about the use of “lei,” and explains that “tu” is becoming more common in formal settings. 

Tu or Lei? The Messy Matter of Italian Courtesy Forms | Blog Post

This article discusses three Italian courtesy forms that mean “you” in English: tu, lei and voi. It explains how to determine which pronoun to use based on age differences and the amount of social distance between the speaker and the listener. It also describes the history of the pronoun “voi,” which is the older Italian courtesy form that was replaced by “lei” and is now only used in certain parts of South Italy.

Keep It Casual with Informal Italian: How and When to Use It | Blog Post

This article provides a definition of informal Italian and describes the contexts in which it is commonly used. It also explains how it differs from formal Italian in terms of its grammar by providing information about the informal imperative and informal/formal pronouns. This article advises learners to follow the lead of native speakers when it comes to deciding whether or not to use formal Italian, and to listen to authentic speech to learn when it is typically used. It also encourages learners to be mindful of the social impact of using informal speech.

How To Apologize In Italian | Article

This article provides information about two words that can be used to apologize in Italian: “dispiace” and “scusa.” It explains that “dispiace” is the more traditional form meaning “I’m sorry,” and is appropriate for situations in which you want to express true sorrow or regret. “Scusa,” on the other hand, is often translated as “excuse me,” and is typically used to apologize for minor offenses. This article also provides information about how to conjugate these verbs according to who you are talking to.