cordiali saluti
Kind regards in Italian is cordiali saluti.
Cordiali saluti is a common way to say Kind Regards in formal Italian and serves as a standard, professional way to close an email or letter in formal or semi-formal contexts.
Meaning: polite closing of a letter (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective cordiali (cordial/kind) and the noun saluti (greetings).
Which one should you use?
While cordiali saluti is professional, un caro saluto is a warmer, more personal way to close a message to someone you know well.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Cordiali saluti is used in professional or semi-formal situations. For a higher level of respect and distinction, you may use distinti saluti or use rispettosamente to convey a respectful tone in situations requiring a higher level of formality. In contrast, tanti saluti is an informal expression that translates to Many Regards.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both the adjective and the noun are in the plural form to match in gender and number.
Did you know?
- In Italian, the verb salutare serves as both the greeting when you arrive and the farewell when you leave.
- The word cordiali shares a root with the English word 'cordial', but in Italian, it retains a much stronger connection to the anatomical heart. Historically, being 'cordial' meant speaking from the heart.
- While cordiali saluti is standard, using distinti saluti creates a sharper social boundary, literally meaning 'distinct greetings' to signal a professional distance.
Examples in context
- Gentile Signor Rossi, Le porgiamo distinti saluti.Dear Mr. Rossi, Kind Regards.
- Cordiali saluti, Luca.Kind regards, Luca.
- Dovresti scrivere cordiali saluti alla fine.You should write kind regards at the end.
- Usa sempre cordiali saluti nelle email formali.Always use kind regards in formal emails.
Example conversation
Alessandro is helping Martina draft a professional email.
- MartinaCome chiudo questa email, Alessandro?How do I close this email, Alessandro?
- AlessandroPuoi scrivere cordiali saluti.You can write kind regards.
- MartinaVa bene, grazie mille!Okay, thanks a lot!
- AlessandroPrego, Martina.You're welcome, Martina.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cordiali saluti, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cordiali saluti, CC BY-SA 4.0.
