avanti
/aˈvan.ti/
To say "come in" in Italian, the default form is avanti.
avanti is used to invite someone to enter a room or to signal that they should proceed with an action. While it can be translated as "forward," it serves as the idiomatic way to tell someone to come in.
Which one should you use?
While Entra! is a direct command meaning "Enter!", avanti is a more common, idiomatic way to invite someone into a space or to tell them to proceed.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /aˈvan.ti/.
Did you know?
- The word avanti is a key part of the slogan Avanti!, which was historically associated with socialist and labor movements in Italy.
- The word avanti is also used by telephone operators or receptionists to tell a caller that they are being put through to another line.
- The word avanti originates from the Late Latin phrase ab ante.
Examples in context
- Avanti!Come in!This example shows the use of avanti to say "Come in!"Tatoeba #2706967 by Guybrush88, translation #1037169 by GPHemsley
- Ciao! Prego, accomodi!Hi! Please, come in!
- Avanti, la porta è aperta.Come in, the door is open.
Example conversation
Martina knocks on Alessandro's office door.
- AlessandroAvanti, Martina!Come in, Martina!
- MartinaPosso entrare un momento?Can I come in for a moment?
- AlessandroCerto, entra pure.Of course, please come in.
- MartinaGrazie, Alessandro.Thank you, Alessandro.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry avanti, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries avanti, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
