Which one should you use?
The phrase come stai? uses the informal second-person singular, whereas the formal version uses come sta?
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ciao, come stai? is an informal greeting used with friends, family or people you know well. For formal settings such as speaking to strangers, elders or in professional contexts, you should use buongiorno, come sta? or Salve, come sta? where Buongiorno serves as a standard formal greeting from morning until early evening.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase come stai?, the word stai is the second-person singular present tense of the verb stare (to be/to stay), which is used in Italian to express a state of being or health. If you wish to ask how a group of people is doing, you change stai to stanno to form come stanno?
When do people say it?
When someone asks you ciao, come stai?, a common response is Bene, grazie. E tu? (Fine, thanks. And you?).
Did you know?
- The word ciao actually has its roots in the word for 'slave'. It originated from the Venetan expression s-ciao vostro, which meant 'I am your humble servant'.
- In many parts of Italy, rather than a verbal 'how are you?', a simple nod or a physical touch on the arm can often replace the need for the full phrase come stai? among close friends.
- In some Italian regions, the response to come stai? may be a detailed update on health rather than the short 'fine' used in English.
Example conversation
Two friends meet at a cafe.
- MatteoCiao, come stai?Hello, how are you?
- SofiaSto bene, grazie. E tu?I'm doing well, thank you. And you?
- MatteoTutto bene, grazie mille.Everything is fine, thanks a lot.
- SofiaSono felice di sentirtelo dire.I am happy to hear that.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ciao, come, CC BY-SA 4.0.
