In which situation do you use 'Cosa mi sono perso? Raccontami tutto'?

When you come back after being away and want to be brought up to date

In the expression 'Dobbiamo rifarlo', what does the pronoun LO refer to?

The experience you have just shared

25 Italian Phrases to Keep a CONVERSATION Going Naturally

Have you ever tried to speak Italian and felt stuck on the same four phrases as always? It’s normal: when we speak, we all tend to use the simplest and most familiar expressions. But to sound truly natural and feel comfortable in every situation, you need a richer vocabulary. In this guide you’ll find 25 useful phrases for everyday conversation, organized in five typical moments: greeting, catching up, getting to know someone better, keeping in touch and saying goodbye. They are expressions slightly more refined than the usual ones, that Italians often use in real life and that will help you make a quality leap in speaking.

Speak Like a Real Italian

When you learn a language, at the beginning you focus on the basics: “Come stai?” [How are you?], “Piacere di conoscerti” [Nice to meet you], “Devo andare” [I have to go]. They are useful phrases, but after a while they risk making your Italian sound a little schoolbook-like. The secret to sounding more natural is to have several alternatives for saying the same thing, and choosing the right one according to the context, the tone and the person you’re talking with. For a review of the basic conversation phrases, you can check the dedicated guide.

Phrases for Greeting Someone

Let’s start with the phrases to use when you meet someone, whether you know them or not. They are the first seconds of a conversation, and they matter a lot: a good opening immediately puts the person in front of you at ease. To deepen your knowledge of greeting forms, you can check the guide on Italian greetings.

1. “Che Bella Sorpresa Incontrarti Qui!”

Used when you meet someone you know in an unexpected way: on the street, at the supermarket, in a distant city. It conveys enthusiasm and pleasure for the casual encounter. It’s a warm phrase that immediately breaks the ice.

“Marco! Che bella sorpresa incontrarti qui! Non ci vediamo da mesi!” [Marco! What a lovely surprise to meet you here! We haven’t seen each other in months!] (casual encounter with an old friend at the bar)
“Ma guarda un po’, che bella sorpresa incontrarti qui a Parigi!” [Well, look at that, what a lovely surprise to meet you here in Paris!] (casual encounter in a place far from home)

2. “Finalmente Ci Conosciamo di Persona!”

Perfect when you have previously communicated with someone only remotely, via email, video call or phone, and you finally meet them in person. The word “finalmente” [finally] conveys the pleasure of waiting and gives value to the encounter.

“Buongiorno dottor Bianchi, finalmente ci conosciamo di persona! Dopo tante email, che piacere!” [Good morning Dr. Bianchi, finally we meet in person! After so many emails, what a pleasure!] (work meeting after months of online correspondence)
“Ciao Anna, finalmente ci conosciamo di persona! Le videochiamate sono un’altra cosa!” [Hi Anna, finally we meet in person! Video calls are a different thing!] (encounter with a foreign colleague visiting Italy)

3. “Parli del Diavolo e Spuntano le Corna”

A true classic. It’s said when someone arrives right at the moment when they were being talked about. It’s a friendly and slightly joking way to acknowledge the coincidence. To learn more about this and other similar expressions, you can check the guide on Italian proverbs.

“Stavamo giusto parlando di te… parli del diavolo e spuntano le corna!“ [We were just talking about you… speak of the devil!] (while chatting with a friend, the person we were talking about arrives)
“Ecco Giulia! Parli del diavolo e spuntano le corna, dicevamo proprio che dovevamo chiamarti.” [Here’s Giulia! Speak of the devil, we were just saying we had to call you.] (in the office, the colleague we were about to contact appears)

4. “Ho Sentito Parlare Molto di Te”

When you meet someone for the first time with whom you have friends or acquaintances in common, who have probably told a lot about them. It’s a phrase that values the person in front of you and immediately creates a connection.

“Piacere di conoscerti finalmente! Ho sentito parlare molto di te da Luca.” [Nice to finally meet you! I’ve heard a lot about you from Luca.] (at a party, meeting the friend of a mutual friend)
“Tu devi essere Sara! Ho sentito parlare molto di te, tutte cose buone!” [You must be Sara! I’ve heard a lot about you, all good things!] (at dinner, introduction to a colleague of your partner)

5. “Non Credo che Ci Siamo Mai Incontrati”

A polite and elegant way to let someone know that you don’t know them, inviting them to introduce themselves without seeming rude. Very useful in social contexts where you don’t want to directly admit “I don’t know you” but you still want to open the conversation.

“Scusi, non credo che ci siamo mai incontrati. Sono Paolo, e lei?” [Excuse me, I don’t think we’ve ever met. I’m Paolo, and you?] (at a professional event, to someone who seems to know you)
“Un attimo, non credo che ci siamo mai incontrati, giusto? Come ti chiami?” [Wait a moment, I don’t think we’ve ever met, right? What’s your name?] (at a dinner among friends, to a guest never seen before)

Phrases for Catching Up

“Aggiornarsi” in Italian, in this context, means telling each other what has happened since the last time you saw each other. It’s the heart of many conversations between friends, colleagues or family members: knowing how to ask and how to answer allows you to sustain these moments naturally.

6. “Come Vanno le Cose?”

An open question that leaves the other person free to choose what to talk about. It’s much more generous than a simple “come stai?” [how are you?], because it invites the other person to tell something about themselves. Perfect with friends and colleagues in an informal context.

“Ciao Marco, allora, come vanno le cose? Da quanto non ci vediamo?” [Hi Marco, so, how are things going? How long since we’ve seen each other?] (casual encounter with a friend you haven’t seen in a while)
“Ehi, come vanno le cose in ufficio? Ho saputo del nuovo progetto.” [Hey, how are things going at the office? I heard about the new project.] (to a colleague you haven’t seen for a few weeks)

7. “Cosa Hai Combinato di Bello?”

A friendly and informal phrase to ask what someone has been up to lately. The verb “combinare” here doesn’t have a negative meaning: on the contrary, it suggests friendly curiosity about the other person’s activities. To be used with friends and people with whom you have a close relationship.

“Allora, cosa hai combinato di bello questo weekend?” [So, what have you been up to this weekend?] (on Monday morning, to a friend or colleague)
“Non ci sentiamo da secoli! Cosa hai combinato di bello negli ultimi mesi?” [We haven’t talked in ages! What have you been up to in the last few months?] (to an old friend found again on the phone)

8. “Cosa Mi Sono Perso? Raccontami Tutto”

Used when you’ve been away for a while — maybe on vacation, or just away from the group — and you want to be brought up to date with everything that has happened in the meantime. It conveys genuine interest and desire to reconnect.

“Sono stato via due settimane, cosa mi sono perso? Raccontami tutto!“ [I’ve been away for two weeks, what did I miss? Tell me everything!] (return from a trip, with friends from the group)
“Ero in malattia, cosa mi sono persa in ufficio? Raccontami tutto!“ [I was on sick leave, what did I miss at the office? Tell me everything!] (after days of absence from work, to a colleague)

9. “Abbiamo un Sacco di Cose da Raccontarci”

Used when a lot of time has passed since the last time you saw each other and many things have happened on both sides. It’s a warm way to say “we have so much to catch up on”. The expression “un sacco di” is colloquial and means “a lot, very much”.

“Dai, vieni a prendere un caffè con me, abbiamo un sacco di cose da raccontarci!“ [Come on, come have a coffee with me, we have so many things to tell each other!] (informal invitation to an old friend)
“Non ci vediamo da un anno! Abbiamo un sacco di cose da raccontarci, dove ci sediamo?” [We haven’t seen each other for a year! We have so many things to tell each other, where do we sit?] (at a dinner among friends after a long time)

10. “Ci Sarebbe Tanto da Dire, ma non È Né il Momento Né il Posto”

Very useful when it’s not appropriate to go into details in that context — maybe because there are other people listening, or because the moment isn’t right. The phrase implies that there’s a lot to tell, but it will be done on another more suitable occasion.

“Guarda, ci sarebbe tanto da dire, ma non è né il momento né il posto. Ne parliamo la prossima settimana?” [Look, there would be so much to say, but it’s neither the moment nor the place. Shall we talk about it next week?] (at the office, in front of colleagues, on a delicate matter)
“Con la storia con Luca ci sarebbe tanto da dire, ma non è né il momento né il posto. Ti chiamo domani.” [About the story with Luca, there would be so much to say, but it’s neither the moment nor the place. I’ll call you tomorrow.] (at a public event, to a curious friend)

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Phrases for Getting to Know Someone Better

These are open questions designed to make people talk about themselves. They are excellent in conversations with someone you’ve just met, when you want to go beyond the usual obvious questions like “che lavoro fai?” [what do you do for work?] or “di dove sei?” [where are you from?]. To learn more about the use of questions in Italian, you can check the dedicated guide.

11. “Come Ti Sei Avvicinato a Questo Campo?”

A polite and curious way to ask how someone got to their job or their passion. Compared to the more banal “perché hai scelto questa professione?” [why did you choose this profession?], this formulation invites the person to tell a journey, an evolution, maybe with some anecdote.

“Interessante quello che fai. Come ti sei avvicinata a questo campo?“ [Interesting what you do. How did you get into this field?] (at a conference, with a newly met speaker)
“L’archeologia è affascinante. Tu come ti sei avvicinato a questo campo?“ [Archaeology is fascinating. How did you get into this field?] (at a dinner, with a new acquaintance)

12. “Cosa Fai nel Tempo Libero?”

Opens the door to conversations about hobbies, sports, interests and passions. It’s absolutely one of the most useful questions to find common topics with someone. To always keep ready when the conversation risks fading.

“Cosa fai nel tempo libero? Hai qualche hobby particolare?” [What do you do in your free time? Do you have any particular hobby?] (at a first date or social encounter)
“Con tutto il lavoro che hai, cosa fai nel tempo libero per rilassarti?” [With all the work you have, what do you do in your free time to relax?] (with a very busy person, to get to know them better)

13. “Cosa Ti Appassiona Davvero?”

Asks what moves a person deeply, what excites and emotionally involves them. It’s an intimate but not invasive question, that opens to very interesting conversations. To use when there’s already a minimum of familiarity.

“Al di là del lavoro, cosa ti appassiona davvero?“ [Beyond work, what really passionates you?] (in a deeper conversation, after talking about work)
“Dimmi, cosa ti appassiona davvero nella vita?” [Tell me, what really passionates you in life?] (to a friend after some glasses of wine, on a quiet evening)

14. “Cos’È che Ti Fa Alzare la Mattina?”

Question that goes to the root of someone’s motivation. It’s a very Italian formulation that poetically asks “what is your purpose, what drives you?”. Perfect in deep conversations, maybe in front of a coffee or after dinner.

“Dopo tutto quello che hai fatto, cos’è che ti fa alzare la mattina ancora oggi?” [After everything you’ve done, what makes you get up in the morning even today?] (to a successful person, after a long chat)
“Sei sempre così pieno di energia, cos’è che ti fa alzare la mattina?“ [You’re always so full of energy, what makes you get up in the morning?] (to a friend curious to know their motivation)

15. “Cosa Ti Dà Soddisfazione nella Vita?”

Asks what brings real joy or fulfillment to someone. It’s a question that goes beyond the professional or practical aspect: it touches the personal level, the values and priorities of the person. To reserve for conversations with people with whom there’s already a bit of intimacy.

“Fammi capire meglio, cosa ti dà soddisfazione nella vita, oggi?” [Help me understand better, what gives you satisfaction in life, today?] (in a reflective conversation with a close friend)
“Al di là dei successi, cosa ti dà soddisfazione nella vita di tutti i giorni?” [Beyond the successes, what gives you satisfaction in everyday life?] (after having talked about professional achievements)

Phrases for Keeping in Touch

When a conversation goes well and you want to leave the door open for a next encounter, you need the right phrases. Not too direct, so as not to seem intrusive, but clear enough to make it understood that there’s interest in continuing the relationship.

16. “Mi Piacerebbe Riprendere Questo Discorso con Più Calma”

An elegant way to pause an interesting conversation with the explicit intention of continuing it in the future. It conveys respect for the present moment (maybe there’s no time) and desire to deepen it later.

“Mi piacerebbe riprendere questo discorso con più calma. Che ne dici di vederci la settimana prossima?” [I’d like to resume this conversation more calmly. What do you say about meeting next week?] (at the end of the workday, with an interesting colleague)
“Ora devo scappare, ma mi piacerebbe riprendere questo discorso con più calma. Mi mandi il tuo numero?” [Now I have to run, but I’d like to resume this conversation more calmly. Would you send me your number?] (at an event, to a newly met person)

17. “Sento che Avremo Ancora Tanto di Cui Parlare”

An implicit invitation to suggest meeting again or staying in touch, without being excessively direct. It’s perfect when the conversation was pleasant but you don’t want to seem too insistent in proposing a second meeting.

“È stato davvero bello parlare con te, sento che avremo ancora tanto di cui parlare.” [It’s been really nice talking with you, I feel we still have a lot to talk about.] (at a first date that went well)
“Che chiacchierata piacevole! Sento che avremo ancora tanto di cui parlare, magari alla prossima occasione.” [What a pleasant chat! I feel we still have a lot to talk about, maybe on the next occasion.] (at a social event, to a new acquaintance)

18. “Dovremmo Continuare a Parlarne davanti a un Caffè”

Suggests continuing the conversation in a more relaxed context. Coffee is a very important social ritual in Italy: proposing to have one together is almost always seen as a friendly and pleasant gesture.

“Questo argomento è troppo interessante per liquidarlo qui, dovremmo continuare a parlarne davanti a un caffè.” [This topic is too interesting to wrap up here, we should continue talking about it over a coffee.] (after a quick chat in a hallway)
“Ci sono un sacco di cose che vorrei chiederti, dovremmo continuare a parlarne davanti a un caffè uno di questi giorni.” [There are a lot of things I’d like to ask you, we should continue talking about it over a coffee one of these days.] (to a new colleague or acquaintance)

19. “Dobbiamo Rifarlo”

Short, simple, but very powerful. It implies that the encounter was pleasant and that you want to repeat it. The pronoun “lo” refers generically to the experience just lived together: a lunch, an evening, a chat.

“È stata una cena fantastica, dobbiamo rifarlo presto!” [It was a fantastic dinner, we have to do it again soon!] (at the end of a dinner among friends)
“Mi sono divertito un sacco oggi, dobbiamo rifarlo assolutamente.” [I had so much fun today, we absolutely have to do it again.] (after a day trip with a friend)

20. “Mandami Due Righe e Organizziamo Qualcosa”

An informal invitation to reach out to organize a next meeting. The expression “mandami due righe” means “write me a short message” — no long tale is needed, just a small sign.

“Mandami due righe la prossima settimana e organizziamo qualcosa, magari una cena.” [Send me a couple of lines next week and we’ll organize something, maybe a dinner.] (at the moment of saying goodbye, with a friend)
“Quando sei in città, mandami due righe e organizziamo qualcosa!“ [When you’re in town, send me a couple of lines and we’ll organize something!] (to a friend who lives far away)

Phrases for Saying Goodbye

Leaving is often the hardest part of a conversation. How do you close without seeming rude or giving the impression of wanting to get rid of the other person? Here are some phrases used a lot by Italians to say goodbye with elegance.

21. “Sono un Po’ di Corsa”

A polite way to make it understood that you have to go, without seeming rude or hasty. The expression “essere di corsa” means “to be in a hurry” and justifies the urgency in a neutral way, without going into details.

“Scusami, sono un po’ di corsa, ci sentiamo dopo?” [Sorry, I’m a bit in a hurry, shall we talk later?] (interrupt a phone chat politely)
“Guarda, sono un po’ di corsa, ma volevo salutarti al volo.” [Look, I’m a bit in a hurry, but I wanted to say hi quickly.] (short encounter on the street, to an acquaintance)

22. “Dai, che Mi Devo Muovere”

More colloquial, often accompanied by a gesture that physically signals the intention to get up and go. The initial “dai” is a typical filler word of spoken Italian that makes the phrase friendly and not brusque.

“Dai, che mi devo muovere, è tardissimo! Ci sentiamo domani.” [Come on, I’ve got to move, it’s really late! We’ll talk tomorrow.] (at the end of an evening among friends)
“Ok ragazzi, dai, che mi devo muovere, ho ancora un sacco di cose da fare.” [Ok guys, come on, I’ve got to move, I still have a lot of things to do.] (during a break at the office with colleagues)

23. “Devo Proprio Scappare”

The verb “devo” [I must] implies an external obligation, not a personal choice: I’m leaving because I’m forced to, not because I don’t want to stay with you anymore. The verb “scappare” here is used figuratively and simply means “to leave quickly”.

“Mi dispiace, ma devo proprio scappare, ho una riunione tra dieci minuti.” [I’m sorry, but I really have to run, I have a meeting in ten minutes.] (interrupt a chat at the office)
“Che peccato, devo proprio scappare, mi aspettano a casa per cena.” [What a pity, I really have to run, they’re waiting for me at home for dinner.] (having to leave an event that was going well)

24. “Non Voglio Monopolizzarti — Ci Sono Altri che Vogliono Parlarti!”

A flattering way to say goodbye. It makes the other person understand that they are very in demand and appreciated. Perfect in social or professional contexts, like parties, conferences or networking events, where there are many people who want to talk to the same person.

“Non voglio monopolizzarti, ci sono altri che vogliono parlarti! È stato un piacere.” [I don’t want to monopolize you, there are others who want to talk to you! It’s been a pleasure.] (at a party, after a long chat with the honoree)
“Grazie mille per la chiacchierata, non voglio monopolizzarti, ci sono altri che vogliono parlarti.” [Thanks a lot for the chat, I don’t want to monopolize you, there are others who want to talk to you.] (at a networking event, with a very in-demand person)

25. “Ti Ho Già Rubato Troppo Tempo”

Puts the accent on respect for others’ time: you’re leaving not by your own choice, but out of consideration for the other person and their commitments. It’s very elegant and conveys courtesy and sensitivity.

“Grazie di cuore, ti ho già rubato troppo tempo, ci sentiamo la prossima settimana.” [Thanks from the heart, I’ve already stolen too much of your time, we’ll talk next week.] (at the end of a particularly long work call)
“Ti ho già rubato troppo tempo, so che hai mille cose da fare. A presto!” [I’ve already stolen too much of your time, I know you have a thousand things to do. See you soon!] (to a busy friend after a long chat)

Summary Table of the 25 Phrases

Here’s a summary of the 25 phrases divided by category, with the main occasion to use them:

Category	Useful phrases
Greeting	Che bella sorpresa incontrarti qui! / Finalmente ci conosciamo di persona! / Parli del diavolo e spuntano le corna / Ho sentito parlare molto di te / Non credo che ci siamo mai incontrati
Catching up	Come vanno le cose? / Cosa hai combinato di bello? / Cosa mi sono perso? / Abbiamo un sacco di cose da raccontarci / Ci sarebbe tanto da dire, ma non è né il momento né il posto
Getting to know better	Come ti sei avvicinato a questo campo? / Cosa fai nel tempo libero? / Cosa ti appassiona davvero? / Cos’è che ti fa alzare la mattina? / Cosa ti dà soddisfazione nella vita?
Keeping in touch	Mi piacerebbe riprendere questo discorso / Sento che avremo ancora tanto di cui parlare / Continuiamo davanti a un caffè / Dobbiamo rifarlo / Mandami due righe e organizziamo
Saying goodbye	Sono un po’ di corsa / Dai, che mi devo muovere / Devo proprio scappare / Non voglio monopolizzarti / Ti ho già rubato troppo tempo

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does “Parli del Diavolo e Spuntano le Corna” Mean?

It’s an Italian proverb that is said when someone arrives right at the moment when they were being talked about. The literal meaning is that if you pronounce the devil’s name, he appears. Figuratively, it’s a friendly and slightly joking way to acknowledge the coincidence. If you’re chatting with a friend and you name a person who, at that very moment, enters the room, you can say “Parli del diavolo…”. There’s also a shorter version, “Lupus in fabula”, which comes from Latin and has the same meaning, but is used only in more cultured contexts. The closest English equivalent is “speak of the devil”.

What Does “Mandami Due Righe” Mean?

The expression “mandami due righe” means “write me a short message”. The “due righe” [two lines] are a colloquial way to indicate “a few words, a short text”: no long tale is needed, just a small sign to reach out. You can use this expression when you’re saying goodbye to someone with whom you want to stay in touch: “Mandami due righe quando torni, così organizziamo qualcosa” [Send me a couple of lines when you’re back, so we organize something]. It’s an informal but not too colloquial way, suitable for colleagues, acquaintances and friends. Warning: it doesn’t mean to send a poem or a literary text, but simply a short message.

Why in Italy Is It So Common to Propose a Coffee?

Because in Italy coffee is much more than just a drink: it’s a social ritual. Having a coffee together is a short but meaningful moment, a way to be with someone without a time commitment. When you say “Dovremmo continuare a parlarne davanti a un caffè” [We should continue talking about it over a coffee], you’re proposing an informal, short and pleasant meeting: it’s not a lunch or a dinner, so it doesn’t weigh on anyone’s agenda, but it’s still a quality moment. Coffee in Italy is often had at the bar counter, standing, in a few minutes: so it’s a perfect occasion to reconnect with someone without too much commitment.

What’s the Difference between “Come Stai?” and “Come Vanno le Cose?”

The difference is subtle but important. “Come stai?” [how are you?] is the classic question, short, often almost rhetorical: many times a simple “bene, grazie, e tu?” [fine, thanks, and you?] is expected. “Come vanno le cose?” [how are things going?] instead is a more open and generous question: it invites the other to tell something about themselves — about work, about life, about how a project is proceeding. It makes you go from a formal greeting to a real conversation. If you want to show genuine interest and not just politeness, “come vanno le cose?” is the best choice. You can also vary with “come procede?” [how’s it going?] or “come butta?” [how’s it going?] (this last one very informal, to use only with close friends).

How Do I Say Goodbye without Seeming Rude?

The secret is to justify the departure with a reason that doesn’t concern the person in front of you. Phrases like “Sono un po’ di corsa” [I’m a bit in a hurry] or “Devo proprio scappare” [I really have to run] shift the responsibility onto an external obligation: you’re not leaving because you’re not interested in the conversation, but because you have something else to do. Another strategy is to value the other person: “Non voglio monopolizzarti” [I don’t want to monopolize you] makes it clear that there are other people who want to talk to them, and you’re stepping back out of kindness. Or “Ti ho già rubato troppo tempo” [I’ve already stolen too much of your time], which highlights your respect for their time. In any case, it’s useful to accompany the phrase with a hint that you’ll see each other again: “Ci sentiamo presto” [we’ll talk soon] or “Ci rivediamo la prossima volta” [we’ll see each other next time].

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