You’re standing in a sun-drenched piazza, the murmur of Italian conversation around you. Someone catches your eye, smiles, and asks, “Come ti chiami?” (What’s your name?). Your heart flutters. This is it! You have a golden opportunity to make a new friend, connect with a local, or simply practice the beautiful language you’ve been studying.
What do you say? “Mi chiamo [Your Name]” is correct, but it’s just the beginning. It’s like handing someone a business card with only your name on it—accurate, but incomplete.
To truly make a great first impression in Italian, you need to offer a little more. You need to paint a quick, memorable picture of who you are. Don’t worry, it’s not complicated. In fact, you can master it with a simple, three-part formula that will have you introducing yourself like a pro.
Let’s break down the formula: Name + Origin + Profession. It’s the perfect recipe for a confident, natural, and engaging introduction.
Part 1: Il Nome (Your Name)
This is the foundation. While “Mi chiamo…” is the first phrase most of us learn, native Italians very often use a simpler, more direct construction: “Sono…” (I am…).
- Mi chiamo… (mee KYAH-moh) – Literally “I call myself…” This is perfectly correct and universally understood.
- Sono… (SOH-noh) – “I am…” This is extremely common, casual, and confident.
So you could say:
Mi chiamo Mark.
or
Sono Mark.
Both are great! Using “Sono” might just make you sound a touch more like a local.
Formal vs. Informal: The Crucial “Tu” vs. “Lei” Distinction
Before you even say your name, you need to know who you’re talking to. Italian has two forms of “you”: tu (informal) and Lei (formal). This choice affects everything, from greetings to questions.
- Informal (tu): Use with people your own age, children, friends, and family. The question is “Come ti chiami?“
- Formal (Lei): Use with older people, professors, shopkeepers, officials, or anyone in a position of authority or respect. The question is “Come si chiama?“
Your response—”Mi chiamo…” or “Sono…“—doesn’t change, but the pleasantries that follow do. After stating your name, you’ll want to say “Nice to meet you.”
- Informal: Piacere di conoscerti. (pyah-CHEH-reh dee koh-noh-SHER-tee)
- Formal: Piacere di conoscerla. (pyah-CHEH-reh dee koh-noh-SHER-lah)
A simple, all-purpose alternative is just “Piacere!” (Pleased/A pleasure). It works in any situation and is a lifesaver if you’re unsure which form to use.
Part 2: L’Origine (Where You’re From)
Now that they know your name, they’ll want to know where you’re from. This adds color to your introduction. You have a few options here, each with a slightly different nuance.
Using “essere di” and “venire da”
The two most common ways to state your origin are with the verbs essere (to be) and venire (to come).
1. Sono di + [City]
This is the most common way to state your hometown. “Di” means “of” or “from.”
Sono di Londra.(I am from London.)Sono di Sydney.(I am from Sydney.)
2. Vengo da + [Country/State/Region]
This phrase, using “venire da” (to come from), is often used for larger geographical areas like countries or states. Note that the preposition “da” combines with the definite article (il, la, gli, etc.).
Vengo dal Canada.(I come from Canada.)Vengo dagli Stati Uniti.(I come from the United States.)Vengo dall'Inghilterra.(I come from England.)
Stating Your Nationality
Another great option is to state your nationality. This is where a little grammar comes in handy. Adjectives of nationality must agree in gender with you.
- If you are male, the adjective usually ends in -o. (americano, italiano, tedesco)
- If you are female, it usually ends in -a. (americana, italiana, tedesca)
Some nationalities end in -e for both masculine and feminine singular forms (like inglese, canadese, francese).
Sono americano.(I am American – male)Sono australiana.(I am Australian – female)Sono inglese.(I am English – male or female)
Part 3: La Professione (What You Do)
This is the final piece of the puzzle. It turns your introduction from a simple statement into a conversation starter. Talking about your job or studies gives the other person an easy topic for a follow-up question.
Again, there are two primary ways to say this.
1. Faccio + [Article] + [Profession]
This is the most common and idiomatic way Italians talk about their jobs. It uses the verb “fare” (to do/make). The key here is to remember the definite article (il, la, l’).
Faccio l'insegnante.(I’m a teacher – literally, “I do the teacher.”)Faccio il programmatore.(I’m a programmer.)Faccio la guida turistica.(I’m a tour guide.)
2. Sono + [Article] + [Profession]
This is closer to the English “I am a…”. It’s also perfectly correct but uses the indefinite article (un, una, un’).
Sono un medico.(I am a doctor.)Sono un'artista.(I am an artist.)
If you’re a student, the phrase is simple:
Sono uno studente.(I am a student – male)Sono una studentessa.(I am a student – female)
Putting It All Together: The 3-Part Formula in Action
Now, let’s combine these elements into smooth, natural introductions.
Informal Example: You’re at a party and meet someone your age.
“Ciao! Piacere, sono David. Sono americano, di Chicago, e qui a Firenze faccio lo studente di storia dell’arte.”
(Hi! Nice to meet you, I’m David. I’m American, from Chicago, and here in Florence, I’m an art history student.)
Formal Example: You’re meeting a new business colleague.
“Buongiorno, piacere di conoscerla. Mi chiamo Susan. Vengo dal Regno Unito, ma abito a Milano da cinque anni. Faccio la manager per un’azienda di moda.”
(Good morning, a pleasure to meet you. My name is Susan. I come from the United Kingdom, but I’ve lived in Milan for five years. I’m a manager for a fashion company.)
See how much more engaging that is? In just a few seconds, you’ve shared key information and provided multiple hooks for a real conversation to begin.
Beyond the Formula: Essential First-Impression Phrases
Once you’ve introduced yourself, what’s next? You need to be able to return the question!
- E tu? (eh TOO?) – “And you?” (Informal)
- E Lei? (eh LAY?) – “And you?” (Formal)
This is the simple, elegant way to keep the conversation flowing.
So, the full exchange might look like this:
Persona A: Ciao, come ti chiami?
You: Ciao! Sono Alex. Sono canadese e faccio il fotografo. E tu?
With this three-part formula and these essential phrases, you’re no longer just reciting words. You’re communicating. You’re building a bridge between your world and theirs. So practice it, own it, and get ready to make some fantastic connections. In bocca al lupo! (Good luck!)