How to introduce yourself in Italian

How to introduce yourself in Italian

How to introduce yourself in Italian

Greetings

The first step is always a greeting

Ciao! (Hi/Hello!) - Informal. Use this with friends, family, young people, or in very relaxed settings.

Buongiorno! (Good morning/Good day!) - Formal/Neutral. Use this generally from morning until early afternoon.

Buonasera! (Good evening!) - Formal/Neutral. Use this from late afternoon/evening onwards.

Buonanotte! (Good night!) - This is primarily used when leaving or going to bed, not as an initial greeting.

Introducing your name

There are a few ways to say your name:

Mi chiamo [Nome]. (My name is [Name].) - This is the most common and versatile way.

Example: Mi chiamo Sarah. (My name is Sarah.)

Sono [Nome]. (I am [Name].) - Also very common, slightly more direct.

Example: Sono Marco. (I am Marco.)

Asking for their name

Once you've introduced yourself, it's polite to ask for the other person's name. The phrasing changes based on formality:

Informal (tu): 

Come ti chiami? (What's your name? - literally "How do you call yourself?")

Tu come ti chiami? (And you, what's your name? - adding "Tu" emphasizes you're asking them.)

Formal (Lei): 

Come si chiama? (What's your name? - literally "How do you call yourself?")

Lei come si chiama? (And you, what's your name? - adding "Lei" emphasizes you're asking them.)

Where are you from?

After names, the next common piece of information shared is where you're from.

Saying Where You're From

Sono di [Città/Paese]. (I am from [City/Country].)

Example: Sono di Londra. (I'm from London.)

Example: Sono degli Stati Uniti. (I'm from the United States.)

Vengo da [Città/Paese]. (I come from [City/Country].) - This is also correct but "Sono di..." is slightly more common for nationality/origin.

Example: Vengo da Berlino. (I come from Berlin.)

Asking where they're from

Informal (tu): 

Di dove sei? (Where are you from? - literally "Of where are you?")

Da dove vieni? (Where do you come from?)

Formal (Lei): 

Di dov'è? (Where are you from?)

Da dove viene? (Where do you come from?)

Expanding Your Introduction: What Do You Do?

You might want to talk about your profession or what you study.

Saying What You Do

Faccio il/la [professione]. (I work as a [profession].) - Use "il" for masculine professions, "la" for feminine.

Example: Faccio l'insegnante. (I'm a teacher. - insegnante is common for both genders, so you use "l' " which means "the")

Example: Faccio il medico. (I'm a doctor. - medico is common for both genders, so you use "il")

Example: Faccio la studentessa. (I'm a student - feminine.)

Example: Faccio l'ingegnere. (I'm an engineer.)

Sono [professione/stato]. (I am [profession/status].) - Also very common and direct.

Example: Sono uno studente/una studentessa. (I am a student - masculine/feminine.)

Example: Sono un cuoco/una cuoca. (I am a chef - masculine/feminine.)

Example: Sono in pensione. (I am retired.)

Asking What They Do

Informal (tu): 

Cosa fai? (What do you do? - generally in life/for work)

Che lavoro fai? (What work do you do?)

Sei uno studente/una studentessa? (Are you a student?)

Formal (Lei): 

Cosa fa? (What do you do?)

Che lavoro fa? (What work do you do?)

È uno studente/una studentessa? (Are you a student?)

Introducing Yourself in Formal vs. Informal Contexts

This is crucial in Italian! The choice between "tu" (informal) and "Lei" (formal) dictates many verb conjugations and pronouns.

Informal Contexts (with "tu")

Use "tu" when:

Speaking with friends, family, or people you already know well.

Speaking with children or young people (unless they are in a very formal role, like a hotel receptionist).

In very casual settings (e.g., a party, a bar).

Example Informal Introduction:

You: Ciao! Mi chiamo Alex. E tu, come ti chiami? (Hi! My name's Alex. And you, what's your name?)

Other Person: Ciao Alex! Mi chiamo Sofia. Piacere! (Hi Alex! My name's Sofia. Nice to meet you!)

You: Piacere mio! Di dove sei, Sofia? (Nice to meet you too! Where are you from, Sofia?)

Other Person: Sono di Roma. E tu? (I'm from Rome. And you?)

You: Sono di New York. Cosa fai? Studi o lavori? (I'm from New York. What do you do? Do you study or work?)

Other Person: Lavoro, faccio la grafica. (I work, I'm a graphic designer.)

Formal Contexts (with "Lei")

Use "Lei" when:

Meeting someone for the first time in a professional setting (job interview, business meeting).

Speaking with people significantly older than you.

Addressing people in positions of authority (police, professors, doctors, public officials).

In shops, restaurants, or hotels, unless the staff initiate an informal tone.

Generally, when in doubt, start with "Lei." You can always switch to "tu" if the other person suggests it ("Diamo del tu?" or "Possiamo darci del tu?").

Example Formal Introduction:

You: Buongiorno. Mi chiamo [Your Full Name]. Piacere. (Good morning. My name is [Your Full Name]. Nice to meet you.)

Other Person: Buongiorno. Piacere, sono il Dottor Rossi. Lei come si chiama? (Good morning. Nice to meet you, I am Dr. Rossi. What is your name?)

You: [Your Full Name]. Sono qui per l'appuntamento. (My name is [Your Full Name]. I am here for the appointment.)

Other Person: Certo. Lei di dov'è? (Of course. Where are you from?)

You: Sono della Germania. (I am from Germany.)

Other Person: E cosa fa? (And what do you do?)

You: Sono un ingegnere. (I am an engineer.)

Special Phrases and Important Notes

Piacere! (Nice to meet you!) - This is a very common and versatile response after someone introduces themselves. It literally means "pleasure."

Piacere mio! (My pleasure! / Nice to meet you too!) - A common reply to "Piacere!".

Molto piacere! (Very nice to meet you!) - A slightly more emphatic version of "Piacere!".

Incantato/a! (Charmed! / Delighted!) - A more old-fashioned or very polite way to say "Nice to meet you." Use "-o" for masculine, "-a" for feminine.

How to address people:

Signore (Mr.) / Signora (Mrs./Ms.) / Signorina (Miss - generally for unmarried women or young women, but "Signora" is safer if unsure).

Dottore/Dottoressa (Dr. - very common for anyone with a university degree, not just medical doctors).

Professore/Professoressa (Professor).

No "È un piacere conoscerti/conoscerLa" as a first phrase: While "It's a pleasure to meet you" is common in English, in Italian, "Piacere!" or "Molto piacere!" are more natural as initial responses when meeting someone for the first time. "È un piacere conoscerLa/ti" (It's a pleasure to know you) comes slightly later or after a short conversation.