How to Say "Hello, How Are You?" in Sicilian

Ciao, comu stai?

The English phrase "hello, how are you?" is translated into Sicilian as Ciao, comu stai?

Ciao, comu stai? is a common greeting used to say hello and ask about someone's well-being. The specific component comu stai? means "how are you?" and is used in informal contexts.

Which one should you use?

While Ciao, comu stai? is the standard informal greeting, you should use Buongiorno, comu sta? to say "Good day, how are you?" when speaking to elders or in formal settings.

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

Ciao, comu stai? is an informal phrase used with friends or family. For a more formal approach, such as when addressing elders, use Buongiorno, comu sta? Additionally, if you only wish to say a quick "Hi!" informally, you can use Ciau!

How does it change in a sentence?

In the phrase comu stai?, the verb stari (to be/to stay) is conjugated in the second person singular stai to match the informal tu (you).

Did you know?

While Ciao is now a global greeting, it originally comes from the Venetian phrase s'ciavo vostro, meaning 'I am your slave'.
In some rural parts of Sicily, people may respond to comu stai? not with a 'good' or 'bad', but with si campa, which translates to 'one survives'.
In many Sicilian towns, a simple Ciao is often accompanied by a slight nod or a double kiss on the cheeks, depending on the gender and relationship of the speakers.