Which one should you use?
a presto is used when you expect to talk again soon but do not have a specific time set. This differs from a dopo, which is used when you expect to see or speak to the person again later on the same day. Similarly, a più tardi is a more specific way to say "see you later" than a presto, often implying a meeting later in the current day.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While a presto works well in casual and semi-formal situations, there are other options depending on the context. Use A risentirci presto! for a formal way to say "Talk to you soon!" and A sentirci presto! for an informal version. You might also use the informal A tra poco! to mean "In a bit!"
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of a presto is /a‿pˈprɛs.to/. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- If you tell an Italian fai presto, you are not saying 'talk soon' but rather telling them to 'hurry up'.
- In a musical context, an Italian musician might see the word presto written in a score, but it would mean 'very fast' rather than 'soon'.
- The word presto originally meant 'at hand' or 'ready' in Late Latin, which is why it carries the sense of something happening quickly or soon.
Examples in context
- A risentirci presto! Grazie ancora e a presto!Talk to you soon! Thanks again and talk soon!
- Ciao, a presto!Bye, talk soon!
- Ci vediamo domani, a presto.See you tomorrow, talk soon.
- Grazie di tutto, a presto.Thanks for everything, talk soon.
Example conversation
Martina and Alessandro are leaving a coffee shop after a quick chat.
- MartinaCiao Alessandro, a presto!Bye Alessandro, talk soon!
- AlessandroSì, a presto Martina.Yes, talk soon Martina.
- MartinaTi mando un messaggio dopo.I will text you later.
- AlessandroVa bene, a presto.Okay, talk soon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry a presto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, presto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
