What does it mean word for word?
The phrase come stai? is composed of come (how) and stai (you are/staying).
Which one should you use?
Come stai? is the informal version used with friends, family or people your own age. In contrast, come sta? is the formal version. If you are asking a group of two or more people, you should use come state?
Is it said differently in some regions?
In central and northern Italy, the informal variation come butta? is used to mean "how are you doing?"
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing someone formally or showing respect, use come sta? instead of come stai? To address a group, use come state?
When do people say it?
When someone asks you how you are, a common response to come stai? is Bene, grazie. E tu? (Fine, thanks. And you?). If you are responding to a formal greeting, you should use the formal version of "and you?", which is E Lei?
Did you know?
- When responding to come stai?, an Italian might say si tira avanti, which translates to 'one pulls oneself forward'. This implies that life is a struggle but they are managing to survive.
- The slang version come butta? is literally translated as 'how does it throw?' It is a colorful, idiomatic way to ask how things are 'throwing' or 'going' in one's life.
- In many parts of Italy, asking come stai? is a genuine inquiry into one's health rather than a passing politeness. In English, 'how are you' is often a ritualistic greeting, but an Italian might actually stop to tell you about their recent fever.
Examples in context
- Ciao, come stai?Hi, how are you?
- Scusa, come stai?Excuse me, how are you?
Example conversation
Matteo and Giulia meet in a park.
- MatteoCiao Giulia, come stai?Hi Giulia, how are you?
- GiuliaBene, grazie. E tu?Well, thanks. And you?
- MatteoSto molto bene.I am doing very well.
- GiuliaChe bello!That is great!
