Salve, ragazzi!
Let’s talk about the magic of Salve!
Salve or Ciao?
My Irish husband, a true Calabrian at heart, is obsessed with Salve! He tosses it out to everyone in Calabria—al banco dei salumi e formaggi (cheese and cold meats counter), baristas, neighbours, you name it!
Salve is your go-to for a friendly, informal “Hello,” but it’s got a classy edge. Swap it for Buongiorno with older folks, and you’re instantly sounding polished yet warm—way smoother than Ciao! Straight from Latin (salvere, meaning “be well” or “stay safe”), Salve is a linguistic gem sparkling across Italia, especially in Centrale and Sud Italia. Like Ciao, it’s a multitasking superstar—use it for “Hi” and “Goodbye”! Very handy and even more versatile (we wouldn’t address elderly people with ciao;-)
So, load this Italian super bullet into your vocab arsenal! Next time you’re grabbing a caffè macchiato, flash a smile and say, “Salve, vorrei un caffè macchiato, per favore!” Your barista will love the vibe!