Buongiorno signore
/ˌbwɔnˈd͡ʒor.no siɲˈɲo.re/word by word
The English phrase "good morning sir" is translated into Italian as Buongiorno signore.
Which one should you use?
You should use signora instead of signore if you are addressing a woman.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word signore is the singular form used to address one man.
Did you know?
- The word giorno comes from the same root as the English word 'journey', which originally meant a day's travel.
- The term signore is used in Italian for both 'sir' and 'husband', depending on the context of the sentence.
- While 'good morning' is a standard greeting, if you use buongiorno in a shop in Italy, the clerk might respond with buona giornata to wish you a good rest of your day.
Examples in context
- Buongiorno signore, come sta?Good morning sir, how are you?
- Buongiorno signore, mi scusi.Good morning sir, excuse me.
- Buongiorno signore, la prego di entrare.Good morning sir, please come in.
Example conversation
Martina greets Alessandro as he enters a shop.
- MartinaBuongiorno signore, posso aiutarla?Good morning sir, can I help you?
- AlessandroSì, cerco un regalo per mia moglie.Yes, I am looking for a gift for my wife.
- MartinaCertamente, venga pure da questa parte.Certainly, please come this way.
- AlessandroGrazie mille, Martina.Thank you very much, Martina.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (buongiorno, signore) and can differ in connected speech.
