9 Ways to Say "How Are You?" in Italian and How to Respond
How to Ask “How Are You?” in Italian: 9 Ways to Check In & 9 Ways to Answer
When learning a new language, knowing how to greet people is one of the most important skills you’ll develop.
In Italian, just like in English, there are many ways to ask someone “How are you?” that range from formal to casual.
👉 In this blog, we’ll cover nine different ways to ask this essential question.
We’ll then teach you nine common responses to keep the conversation going!
How Are You in Italian || #1 Come stai?
How Are You in Italian || #2 Come sta?
How Are You in Italian || #3 Come va?
How Are You in Italian || #4 Tutto bene?
How Are You in Italian || #5 Come te la passi?
How Are You in Italian || #6 Come ti senti?
How Are You in Italian || #7 Che mi dici?
How Are You in Italian || #8 Tutto a posto?
How Are You in Italian || #9 Come vanno le cose?
How Are You in Italian || 9 Ways to Respond
How Are You in Italian || FAQs
How Are You in Italian || #1 Come stai?
Come stai?Translation: How are you?
This is the most common, casual way to ask “How are you?” in Italian. It’s used with friends, family, and people you’re familiar with.
Ciao Maria, come stai?
Hi Maria, how are you?How Are You in Italian || #2 Come sta?
Come sta?Translation: How are you? (formal)
The formal version of “Come stai?” is “Come sta?” This is appropriate for use with people you don’t know well, older people, or in professional settings.
Buongiorno signore, come sta?
Good morning sir, how are you?How Are You in Italian || #3 Come va?
Come va?Translation: How’s it going?
A slightly more informal version, “Come va?” can be used in casual conversation. It’s similar to asking “How’s it going?” in English.
Ehi Luca, come va?
Hey Luca, how’s it going?
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How Are You in Italian || #4 Tutto bene?
Tutto bene?Translation: Everything good?
This is a simple, casual way to check in with someone. It can be used as a quick greeting or when you want to ask if everything is okay.
Ciao Gloria, tutto bene?
Hi Gloria, everything good?How Are You in Italian || #5 Come te la passi?
Come te la passi?Translation: How are you doing? / How are you holding up?
This is a more nuanced way to ask how someone is doing, especially if you know they’ve been going through something difficult. It’s a little more personal than “Come va?”
È da tanto che non ci vediamo! Come te la passi?
It’s been so long since we’ve seen each other! How are you doing?How Are You in Italian || #6 Come ti senti?
Come ti senti?Translation: How are you feeling?
If you know someone has been unwell or struggling, “Come ti senti?” is a more direct and caring way to ask how they’re feeling physically or emotionally.
Ho saputo che eri malato. Come ti senti oggi?
I heard you were sick. How are you feeling today?👉 Got any questions about Italian language or culture? Ask away on the LTL Italian Forum!
How Are You in Italian || #7 Che mi dici?
Che mi dici?Translation: What’s up?
This is a very informal way to check in with someone.
It’s just like saying “What’s new?” or “What’s up?” in English.
Because it’s so informal, it’s probably one to avoid on the first day of work or in other formal occasions!
Ciao Ottavia, che mi dici?
Hi Ottavia, what’s up?How Are You in Italian || #8 Tutto a posto?
Tutto a posto?Translation: Is everything okay?
This is a casual way to ask if everything is alright, often used when you suspect something might be wrong, but also as a regular greeting.
Tutto a posto con il lavoro?
Is everything okay with work?How Are You in Italian || #9 Come vanno le cose?
Come vanno le cose?Translation: How are things going?
This phrase can be used to ask how things are going in general, making it a broader check-in than just asking how someone is personally.
Ciao Paolo, come vanno le cose?
Hi Paolo, how are things going?
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How Are You in Italian || 9 Ways to Respond
Now that you know how to ask “How are you?” in various ways, let’s explore how to respond! Here are some common ways to answer the question in Italian.
| Bene, grazie. | Good, thanks. |
| Molto bene! | Very well! |
| Così così. | So-so. |
| Non c’è male. | Not bad. |
| Sto male. | I’m not well. |
| Sono stanco/stanca.* | I’m tired. |
| Tutto a posto. | Everything’s fine. |
| Abbastanza bene. | Pretty well. |
| Ho avuto giorni migliori. | I’ve had better days. |
Now you’re equipped with nine different ways to ask “How are you?” in Italian and nine ways to respond!
Whether you’re chatting with friends, coworkers, or acquaintances, these phrases will help you connect with others in a variety of situations. Remember, in Italian, as in life, it’s all about the context and the tone you use—so practice, have fun, and make those connections!
BONUS || Why stop at Italian? Learn how to ask How Are You in Korean, How Are You in Japanese and How Are You in Chinese!
How Are You in Italian || FAQs
What is the most common way to ask “How are you?” in Italian?
The most common and informal way to ask “How are you?” in Italian is “Come stai?” This is used with friends, family, and people you know well. For formal situations, use “Come sta?”
Is ciao used when asking “How are you?” in Italian?
No, ciao is used as both “hello” and “goodbye,” but not to ask someone how they are. After saying ciao, you can follow up with “Come stai?” or another greeting to ask how they are doing.
What is the difference between Come va? and Come stai?
Come va? translates to “How’s it going?” and is slightly more informal than Come stai?, which means “How are you?” Both can be used in casual conversations, but Come va? is often used when you expect a short, casual answer.
Can I use Come ti senti? instead of Come stai?
Yes, but “Come ti senti?” means “How are you feeling?” and is usually used when asking about someone’s physical or emotional state, especially if they’ve been sick or upset. It’s more specific than “Come stai?”
What are some polite responses to “How are you?” in Italian?
Common polite responses include “Bene, grazie” (Good, thanks), “Molto bene!” (Very well), and “Non c’è male” (Not bad). For more neutral responses, you can say “Così così” (So-so) or “Abbastanza bene” (Pretty well).
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