bentornato
/ˌbɛn.torˈna.to/masculine, singular
The Italian phrase for "welcome back" is bentornato.
Meaning: welcome back (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of ben (well) and tornato (returned), literally meaning "well returned".
Which one should you use?
Unlike the English "welcome back" which is invariant, the Italian form must agree in gender and number with the person being welcomed.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form you use depends on whom you are addressing. Use bentornato for a single male. Use bentornata for a single female. Use bentornati for a group of men or a mixed-gender group. Use bentornate when welcoming back a group consisting only of females.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable: /ˌbɛn.torˈna.to/.
Did you know?
- The word tornare is used for both 'returning' to a place and 'turning' a page or a handle, showing how Italian uses one word for different types of circular motion.
- In casual settings, Italians might skip the formal bentornato and simply say sei tornato!, which literally means 'you have returned!' and serves as an enthusiastic welcome.
- Because it is a past participle, using bentornato is grammatically similar to saying 'you have returned well', which is a slightly different conceptual framework than the English 'welcome'.
Examples in context
- Bentornato a casa, Tom.Welcome back home, Tom.This sentence is useful for welcoming someone back to their home using bentornato.Tatoeba #5750653 by Guybrush88, translation #5748170 by CM
- Bentornato. Ci è mancato!Welcome back. We missed you!This sentence shows how to express that someone was missed using bentornato.Tatoeba #3034621 by Guybrush88, translation #599638 by kebukebu
- Bentornato.Welcome back.This sentence is a simple way to say "Welcome back" using bentornato.Tatoeba #4564762 by Guybrush88, translation #1627336 by Spamster
- Ciao Marco! Bentornato!Hi Marco! Welcome back!
- Sara, bentornata a casa!Sara, welcome back home!
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara is greeting Francesco as he returns from a business trip.
- ChiaraBentornato, Francesco!Welcome back, Francesco!
- FrancescoGrazie, Chiara. Com'è andata la giornata?Thanks, Chiara. How was your day?
- ChiaraÈ stata molto tranquilla.It was very quiet.
- FrancescoBene, sono felice di essere a casa.Good, I am happy to be home.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “welcome back” translations and entries bentornato, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
