stammi bene
In Italian, 'be well' can be translated as stammi bene.
This phrase is a warm wish for someone to stay healthy and happy, typically used when saying goodbye. It is often used in casual departures between friends or family members and carries a sense of affection.
Which one should you use?
The form stami bene is used when addressing someone informally (tu), while stammi bene is a common colloquial variation where the 'mi' is often used as an emphatic particle rather than a strict indirect object. If you are addressing someone formally (Lei), use stia bene. To wish a group of people well (plural), use state bene.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form for a group of people is state bene. When addressing an individual informally, you can use stami bene or the colloquial stammi bene. For formal singular address, use stia bene.
When do people say it?
The phrase is used during warm departures to wish someone well. It implies a level of closeness or affection between the speakers.
Did you know?
- Depending on the tone, stai bene? can be used to ask someone if they have lost their mind or are acting crazy.
- The 'mi' in stammi bene is an 'ethical dative', a linguistic feature where a speaker adds a pronoun to show they are emotionally involved in the action, even though they are not the recipient of the well-wish.
- In Italian, you can use the word bene to describe a physical object, such as un bene, which means 'an asset' or 'a possession'.
Examples in context
- Stammi bene!Be well!This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase stammi bene.Tatoeba #2143291 by hitori37, translation #13384144 by mraz
- Gentile Signora Bianchi, spero che stia bene.Dear Mrs. Bianchi, I hope you're well.
- Gentili Signori, spero che stiano bene.Dear Sirs, I hope you're all well.
- Stammi bene, non dimenticare di riposare.Be well, don't forget to rest.
- Ci vediamo domani, stammi bene!See you tomorrow, be well!
Example conversation
Sofia and Francesco are saying goodbye after a coffee date.
- SofiaDevo andare, è tardi.I have to go, it is late.
- FrancescoVa bene, stammi bene, Sofia.All right, be well, Sofia.
- SofiaGrazie, anche a te, Francesco.Thanks, you too, Francesco.
- FrancescoA presto!See you soon!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
