buon viaggio
/ˈbwɔn viˈad.d͡ʒo/word by word
The Italian phrase for "safe travels" is buon viaggio.
Buon viaggio is the most common way to say "safe travels" in Italian.
Meaning: bon voyage (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of buon (good) and viaggio (trip/journey).
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the adjective buon is the truncated form of buono used before a masculine noun starting with a consonant or similar sound.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈbwɔn viˈad.dʒo/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable.
When do people say it?
When someone says buon viaggio to you, and you are also traveling, common responses include Grazie, anche a te! (Thanks, you too!) or Grazie, altrettanto! (Thanks, likewise!). If you wish to say both goodbye and wish someone safe travels at the same time, you can say Arrivederci e buon viaggio.
Did you know?
- The word viaggio did not come directly from Latin but was borrowed into Italian from Old Occitan and Old French.
- While it translates to 'good journey', Italians rarely use the word viaggio to describe a very short trip, like a daily commute, preferring words that describe the act of 'leaving' instead.
- If you are sending a friend off on a trip, you might say fai buon viaggio, which literally translates to 'make a good journey' rather than just 'have a good journey'.
Examples in context
- Buon viaggio, Marco.Have a good journey, Marco.
- Arrivederci e buon viaggio!Goodbye and bon voyage!
- Buon viaggio per le vacanze!Have a good trip for the holidays!
- Ti auguro un buon viaggio.I wish you a safe trip.
- Buon viaggio a tutti!Safe travels to everyone!
Example conversation
Lorenzo is leaving for a weekend trip to the mountains.
- ChiaraLorenzo, buon viaggio!Lorenzo, safe travels!
- LorenzoGrazie mille, Chiara!Thanks a lot, Chiara!
- ChiaraCi sentiamo quando torni.We will talk when you get back.
- LorenzoCertamente, a presto!Certainly, see you soon!
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (buon, viaggio) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries viaggio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
