“Arrivederci”: Meaning
Arrivederci means “goodbye” in Italian, or more literally “until we see each other again”. It is the standard polite way to say goodbye: more formal than ciao, and used only when you are leaving, never as a greeting.
I am sure that every time you hear arrivederci you cannot not think of Italy. As simple as it is, this word is the Italian equivalent of “goodbye”, but it carries a depth that goes beyond a casual farewell.
If you break it down, you’ll notice that arrivederci is composed of the preposition a (until), the prefix ri (again), the verb vedere (to see), and the reciprocal pronoun ci (each other).
So, every time you say arrivederci, you’re literally saying “until we see each other again”, therefore conveying an inherent sense of optimism as it suggests a future reunion.
Other languages build their goodbyes the same way: French au revoir, German auf Wiedersehen and Spanish hasta la vista all point to seeing each other again.
This term is really embedded into the Italian culture, as you can see from the fact that many songs were titled arrivederci, especially in the ’50s. Listen to this one sung by Claudio Baglioni:
Arrivederci
How to Pronounce “Arrivederci”
Say it ahr-ree-veh-DEHR-chee (IPA: /ar.ri.veˈder.t͡ʃi/). It has five syllables and the stress falls on the fourth one, der. Two details make the difference:
- The double rr in the middle is held a little longer than a single r.
- The final ci sounds like “chee”, never “see”. It is the same sound as at the start of ciao.
Arrivederci or Arrivaderci?
The correct spelling is arrivederci, in one word and with a double r. People often write arrivaderci with an a in the middle, but the word comes from vedere (to see), so the syllable is ved, not vad.
When to use “Arrivederci”
Italians tend to use arrivederci in very specific circumstances, all having in common a layer of formality. In fact, arrivederci is a good bye that is typically used in more formal contexts, as opposed to the simplest and informal ciao.
However, unlike ciao, arrivederci is used when leaving only. In terms of formality and versatility, it works as the parting counterpart of buongiorno or buonasera.
For instance, after a delightful meal at a local restaurant where you’ve chatted with the waiter or the owner, you can say arrivederci. It’s a way of acknowledging the shared experience, as well as expressing that you hope to return.
Arrivederci e grazie!
Goodbye, and thank you!
In such scenarios, arrivederci helps to express a warmth and cordiality that goes beyond merely saying goodbye.
You can also use it with several people at once, since the ci already means “each other”:
Arrivederci a tutti!
Goodbye, everyone!
Arrivederci, a domani.
Goodbye, see you tomorrow.
Grazie di tutto, arrivederci e buona giornata!
Thank you for everything, goodbye and have a nice day!
Because it is polite, arrivederci is what you say to a shopkeeper, a waiter, a doctor, a colleague you do not know well or an older person. Between friends of your age, ciao or ci vediamo sounds more natural, although some older Italians use arrivederci even with close relatives. Never use it to say hello: when you arrive, say buongiorno, buonasera or ciao.
“Arrivederci” vs “Arrivederla”
Like many aspects of Italian language and culture, formality plays a role in how you say goodbye. As I mentioned before, arrivederci already holds a further level of formality compared to ciao, but it can be used in an even more formal way:
The term arrivederla is the most formal way to say “good bye”, typically reserved for situations where respect and politeness are required.
Its formality is given by la, the third person singular direct object pronoun which refers to the formal Lei. Literally, it means “until I see you (formal) again”. You can also find it written arrivederLa, with a capital L, as a sign of respect.
Arrivederla, signore.
Goodbye, sir.
Other Ways to say “Goodbye”
While arrivederci might be the most internationally recognized one, there are other ways to say “good bye” in Italian, that are used differently depending on the context or emotional tone of the farewell.
- Addio: a much stronger and more dramatic goodbye. It is used when you don’t expect to see the person again, similar to “farewell” in English. It is reserved for emotionally charged moments, or when someone is leaving indefinitely.
Addio, amico mio.
Farewell, my friend.
- A presto: this translates to “see you soon” and is used when you’re confident you’ll see someone again in the near future. It is a more casual and friendly way to part.
A presto, non vedo l’ora di rivederti.
See you soon, I can’t wait to see you again.
Arrivederci vs Ciao vs Other Goodbyes
Here is how the most common goodbyes compare. For more, see the full list of ways to say goodbye in Italian.
| Phrase | Meaning | Formality | Use it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrivederci | goodbye, until we meet again | polite, fairly formal | leaving a shop, restaurant, office; strangers; groups |
| Arrivederla | goodbye (to one person you address as Lei) | very formal | a client, a doctor, an older person you respect |
| Ciao | bye (also hello) | informal | friends, family, people your age |
| A presto | see you soon | neutral | you expect to meet again soon |
| A dopo | see you later | informal | you will meet again the same day |
| A domani | see you tomorrow | neutral | you will meet again the next day |
| Ci vediamo | see you | informal | casual plans, friends |
| Addio | farewell | dramatic | you will probably never meet again |
Italians often add a wish after the goodbye: Arrivederci e buona serata! (Goodbye and have a nice evening!) or Buona giornata, arrivederci! (Have a nice day, goodbye!).
These variations allow you to tailor your goodbyes to the situation at hand, whether you’re saying a fond farewell or expecting a reunion in the near future.
Arrivederci in English
English has borrowed arrivederci as a slightly stylish way to say goodbye, and it appears in titles such as Arrivederci Roma (Goodbye, Rome), a well-known Italian song of the 1950s. In Italy it is not special at all: it is an ordinary polite word you will hear many times a day.
Arrivederci: Frequently Asked Questions
What does arrivederci mean in English?
It means “goodbye” or “see you again”. Word by word it is “until we see each other again”.
Is arrivederci formal?
It is polite and a little formal, so it works in shops, restaurants, offices and with people you do not know. It is not stiff or old-fashioned. For one person you address as Lei, arrivederLa is even more formal.
Can I say arrivederci to a friend?
Yes, nobody will mind, but it can sound formal or ironic. Friends usually say ciao, ci vediamo or a dopo.
What is the difference between arrivederci and addio?
Arrivederci expects a future meeting. Addio is final and dramatic, so do not use it to leave a restaurant.
Can you use arrivederci to say hello?
No. Arrivederci is only for leaving. To say hello, use ciao, buongiorno or buonasera.
Is it arrivederci or arrivaderci?
The correct spelling is arrivederci.
