come stai oggi?
The English phrase "how are you doing today?" is translated into Italian as come stai oggi?
come stai oggi? is a friendly greeting used to ask someone about their current well-being or mood. You might also use Come si sente oggi? to ask "How do you feel today?", which is specifically used to show concern for someone's well-being.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of come, meaning "how". stai, which is the second-person singular of the verb stare (to be/to stay). And oggi, meaning "today".
Which one should you use?
While come stai oggi? specifically includes the word "today", the shorter version come stai? is the standard way to ask how someone is doing in general. For a more casual or colloquial approach, you can ask Tutto bene?, which means "Everything fine?"
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Southern Italy, the dialectal variation Comu va? is used to mean "How's it going?"
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are addressing more than one person, use the plural form come state oggi? to mean "how are you all doing today?"
When do people say it?
A common way to respond to this greeting is Bene, grazie. E tu? (Fine, thanks. And you?).
Did you know?
- If you were to ask a stranger come stai oggi?, you might actually sound too personal, as this form is reserved for people you already know.
- The verb stare in come stai is the same root used in the English word 'state' and 'status'. Both describe a condition of being or a position.
- In Italy, the gesture of a slight head tilt or a hand flick often accompanies the greeting come stai? These non-verbal cues can change the meaning from a genuine question to a mere social formality.
Examples in context
- Buongiorno, signore. Come sta oggi?Good morning, sir. How are you doing today?
- Mi scuso per la sua perdita. Come si sente oggi?I apologize for your loss. How are you feeling today?
- Ciao Maria, come stai oggi?Hi Maria, how are you doing today?
- Ciao, come stai oggi?Hi, how are you doing today?
- Scusa, come stai oggi?Sorry, how are you doing today?
Example conversation
Two friends meet at a cafe.
- GiuliaCiao Matteo, come stai oggi?Hi Matteo, how are you doing today?
- MatteoSto molto bene, grazie Giulia.I am doing very well, thanks Giulia.
- GiuliaSono felice di sentirlo!I am happy to hear that!
- MatteoE tu come stai?And how are you?
