Like all languages, there are certain sayings that people use for special occasions or to simply wish someone well. Knowing how to say these in Italian will prepare you for every occasion and help you to sound more like a native speaker!
Have a nice…!
To say you hope someone will have a good time, a nice weekend and so on, use buon (good/nice) before a masculine noun, and buona (good/nice) before a feminine noun.
Buon fine settimana! Have a nice weekend!
Buon viaggio! Have a good trip!
Buon appetito! Enjoy your meal!
Buona notte! Sleep well!
Buone vacanze! Have a nice holiday!
Buon divertimento! Have fun!
Alla salute! Cheers! (when drinking)
Salute! Bless you! (when somebody sneezes)
Happy…!
You can also use buon and buona for special occasions.
Buon Natale! Happy Christmas!
Buon Anno! Happy New Year!
Buon compleanno! Happy birthday!
Buon anniversario di matrimonio! Happy wedding anniversary!
Buona Pasqua! Happy Easter!
When replying to expressions such as these, you can say altrettanto! (the same to you!) to wish the other person the same thing back.
Good luck!
Buona fortuna! Good luck!
Buona fortuna col nuovo lavoro! Good luck with your new job!
Auguri per l’esame! Good luck for the exam!
Actually, Italians sometimes consider it unlucky to wish someone good luck. A more popular saying is used instead, which is in bocca al lupo! (literally meaning in the wolf’s mouth). You’re expected to answer with crepi il lupo! or simply crepi! (may the wolf die!)
Don’t forget to come back for the next blog post to help you continue with the conversation!
