In Italian, much like in English, there is a wide range of expressions you can use to bring a conversation to a natural close. A simple and friendly Ci vediamo! (See you!) works perfectly when you’re not sure when you’ll meet again, while more specific options allow you to indicate exactly when you’ll see someone next.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common and useful phrases you’ll hear in everyday Italian conversations. By incorporating a variety of these expressions into your own speech, you’ll start to sound more natural and fluent in men che non si dica (in no time at all)!
Ci vediamo!
Ci vediamo is the default option I mentioned at the beginning of this article. It forms the basis for almost every other expression you will encounter further down, so make sure to sear it into your memory!
The most logical translation for Ci vediamo! is See you! but the literal translation is closer to We see each other! That’s because ci here is a reflexive pronoun, meaning us, each other, or ourselves depending on the context. Because the verb vedere (to see) is conjugated in the first-person plural noi – vediamo – we know that the subject is ‘we’.
It’s important to get used to this construction in Italian, as it’s used on a regular basis.
Devo scappare, ci vediamo!
I have to run, see you!
While there is nothing wrong with using ci vediamo on its own, more often than not, you will see it paired without various adverbs of time. Let’s take a look at them now!
Ci vediamo dopo
Dopo means later in this case, though it can also be translated as after. It implies an action that immediately follows another action, or an action that occurs at a time later on in the day.
Vado dal parrucchiere alle 11. Ci vediamo dopo!
I’m going to the hairdressers at 11. See you later/after that!
Quite often, ci vediamo dopo – which, let’s face it, can be a bit of a mouthful if you’re in a hurry – is shortened to just a dopo.
It’s also common to hear a dopo allora, with allora meaning then or so.
Devo portare i bimbi a scuola – Ok, a dopo allora!
I have to take the kids to school. – Okay, see you later then!
Ci vediamo più tardi
Più tardi is very similar in meaning to dopo, but it can only be translated as later or later on, referring to a specified or unspecified but later time in the same day. The literal translation is more late.
Mi dispiace ma devo andare. Ci vediamo più tardi, verso l’ora di cena, va bene?
I’m sorry, but I have to go. See you later, around dinnertime, ok?
Just as with ci vediamo dopo, you can shorten this phrase to a più tardi.
Ci vediamo presto / domani / tra poco / stasera
I’ve created separate sections for dopo and più tardi because these are the closest equivalents to later, but there are also many other adverbs of time you are likely to hear paired with ci vediamo, including but not limited to …
Ci vediamo presto! = See you soon!
→ Often shortened to A presto!
→ A prestissimo is also an option, meaning See you very soon, often said to emphasise the short amount of time separating the next meeting. It can also underline the excitement felt by the speaker.
Ci vediamo domani! = See you tomorrow!
→ Often shortened to A domani!
Ci vediamo tra poco! = See you in a bit!
→ Often shortened to A tra poco!
→ A tra pochissimo is also an option, meaning See you in just a moment. Similar to a prestissimo, it can underline the excitement or emphasise the short amount of time separating the next meeting.
Ci vediamo stasera! = See you tonight!
→ Often shortened to A stasera!
Ci sentiamo
If you aren’t planning to actually see your friend in person, you can substitute vedere (to see) with sentire.
Sentire is one of those super flexible Italian verbs with an overwhelming range of meaning, including to hear, to feel, and in this case, to talk / hear from someone via text, email, phone or any other method that doesn’t involving seeing someone in person.
Ho sentito Mario ieri sera. Sta molto meglio.
I heard from / talked to Mario last night. He’s much better.
The best way to translate Ci sentiamo! on its own is with the expression I’ll be in touch! If you tack on any of the aforementioned adverbs of time, the more literal Talk to you… also becomes an option.
Ci sentiamo dopo / più tardi! = Talk to you later!
Ci sentiamo presto! = Talk to you soon!
Ci sentiamo domani! = Talk to you tomorrow!
Ci sentiamo tra poco! = Talk to you in a bit!
Ci sentiamo stasera! = Talk to you tonight!
Accipicchia, sono in ritardo. Ci sentiamo dopo!
Oh shoot, I’m running late. Talk to you later!
Alla prossima!
This brings us to our final expression, alla prossima (literally “until the next”), which is short for alla prossima volta (literally “until the next time”). In Italian, volta (time) is implied and there is no need to explicitly state it.
You can translate this phrase as Until next time! or See you next time!
Ciao Carmela, mi sono divertito molto oggi. Alla prossima!
Bye Carmela, I really enjoyed myself today. See you next time!
Heather Broster is a graduate with honours in linguistics from the University of Western Ontario. She is an aspiring polyglot, proficient in English and Italian, as well as Japanese, Welsh, and French to varying degrees of fluency. Originally from Toronto, Heather has resided in various countries, notably Italy for a period of six years. Her primary focus lies in the fields of language acquisition, education, and bilingual instruction.
