How to Say “Good Morning” in Italian
Buongiorno
Buongiorno is how you say “good morning” in Italian. It literally means “good day”, and Italians use it as a general daytime greeting, so it also works as “hello” well into the afternoon.
The word is as easy as it looks, and it is structurally the same as in English: an adjective followed by a noun. Buon is the shortened form of buono (“good”) and giorno literally means “day”. The same idea appears in French bonjour and Spanish buenos días.
It is one of the most basic Italian words that you must know if you want to start learning the language, and throughout this article you will find out why.
How to Pronounce Buongiorno
Say it bwon-JOR-no, with the stress on the middle syllable. The gi is a soft “j”, as in “job”.
If you have seen “bonjourno” written somewhere, that is a common mistake: it mixes French bonjour with Italian buongiorno. The correct spelling is buongiorno.
Buongiorno or Buon Giorno?
Both spellings exist and mean the same thing, but the one-word form buongiorno is the most common today. Buon giorno as two words is the older way of writing it.
Buon Pomeriggio
After noon, Italians might alternate the use of buongiorno with that of buon pomeriggio. Buon pomeriggio literally means “good afternoon” in Italian, and is used, indeed, after noon.
However, there is no written rule regarding the moment when someone should switch to another type of greeting. This is why you will probably hear buongiorno extended to later times.
Be careful thought! Do not use these words too late during the day. At some point, I would say around 5 or 6 p.m., it is time to say buonasera (good evening)
The exact time varies. Some Italians switch to buonasera soon after lunch, while others keep saying buongiorno until late afternoon.
How to Use “Buongiorno”
“Buongiorno” in Daily Life
Buongiorno can be used a bit differently depending on the context. If you’re casually catching up with a friend, it’s easy and cheerful, but in a more formal setting like the workplace, it becomes a professional nod to a colleague.
There’s also a delightful variation I love, buona giornata, which translates to “have a good day”, which I like using when I am leaving a place. In fact, while buongiorno is a greeting, buona giornata is a wish for the rest of the day to go well.
This is an example of a standard interaction in Italy:
Buongiorno, come stai?
Good morning, how are you?
Bene, grazie. Tu?
Good, thanks. You?
Anche io sto bene, grazie!
I am also good, thanks!
Buona giornata!
Have a good day!
Anche a te!
You too!
Learn how to use the most basic Italian phrases to start interacting with Italian native speakers, and you will see the fastest improvement ever!
When to Say Buongiorno: Shops, Bars and Offices
In Italy it is polite to greet people when you walk into a shop, a bar, a restaurant or an office, or when you meet a neighbor on the stairs. Coming in without saying buongiorno can sound rude. A typical morning at the bar goes like this:
Buongiorno! Un cappuccino e un cornetto, per favore.
Good morning! A cappuccino and a croissant, please.
The usual reply to buongiorno is to say buongiorno back. In a formal situation, you can add the person’s title, for example Buongiorno, signora or Buongiorno, dottore.
Buongiorno, Salve or Ciao?
| Greeting | Tone | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Ciao | informal | with friends, family and people your age |
| Salve | neutral | with strangers, when you are not sure how formal to be |
| Buongiorno | polite, works everywhere | in the morning, with anyone, from your boss to the cashier |
For more options, see the guide to saying hello in Italian.
Regional Variations
Italy is well known for its diversity of regional dialects and traditions, which extends to morning greetings as well.
For example, in Sicily, you might hear bon jornu instead of the standard Italian buongiorno, while in the Veneto region, locals might say bondì as a casual morning greeting.
These regional distinctions are not just linguistic curiosities, but they represent the deep cultural histories and identities that define different parts of Italy.
What I also find interesting is how greetings might change depending on the register of the conversation. When I greet my parents or my friends, I’d rather say giorno (translated literally into “day”), making it shorter yet effective.
Other Ways to Say Good Morning in Italian
- Buondì: a casual, shortened version of buongiorno, often heard among friends and on the radio.
- Buona mattinata: “have a good morning”, a wish for someone you are leaving in the morning. It is less common than buona giornata.
- Buongiornissimo: a playful, extra-enthusiastic buongiorno, mostly used in messages between friends.
Buongiorno: Frequently Asked Questions
What does buongiorno mean?
It means “good day”. Italians use it to say “good morning” and also as a general “hello” during the day.
Is buongiorno formal?
It is polite and works in formal and informal situations. With friends and family, ciao is more common. To keep the conversation going, learn how to say “how are you?” in Italian.
Until what time can you say buongiorno?
From the morning until early or mid afternoon, depending on the region and the person. After that, buonasera is the safer choice.
Master Italian Greetings
If you’re learning Italian, incorporating buongiorno into your everyday life is a small but significant step in understanding Italian culture.
At its core, buongiorno isn’t just a phrase, it’s a mindset. By using it daily, you’re inviting warmth and positivity into your life, just like the Italians do every morning.
Whether it’s at the coffee shop or with friends, you’ll find that it’s not only fun but also a wonderful and effortless way to share a positive vibe and bring some Italian style into your day.
So, why not make buongiorno a personal ritual? After all, every day starts better with a little Italian sunshine.
