salutare

to greet; to say goodbye

verb sah-loo-TAH-reh Less Common

Origin: Latin salutare, from salus (health, safety)

Usage Note

Salutare also doubles as an adjective meaning 'healthy' or 'wholesome' (un'attività salutare = a healthy activity), so context is essential. As a verb it takes avere. The reflexive salutarsi means 'to greet each other' or 'to say goodbye to each other.' Italians often say salutami tutti (give my regards to everyone) when leaving a social gathering.

Examples

"Mi fermo a salutare i vicini."

Natural Translation

I'll stop to greet the neighbours.

Related Words

Explore Italian by topic

ItalianNow

You're Welcome in Italian: 8 Ways Beyond Prego

You're welcome in Italian is more than prego: say figurati to friends, si figuri to strangers, di niente, non c'è di che, or grazie a te. Pick the right one.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

ItalianNow

Italian Adjective Agreement & Placement Made Simple

Italian adjectives agree in gender and number and usually sit after the noun. Master the -o/-a/-i/-e endings, the BAGS rule, and meaning-shifting pairs.

June 5, 2026 5 min read

ItalianNow

How to Order Coffee in Italy Like a Local

Order coffee in Italy like a local: say un caffè (not espresso), pay at the cassa first, drink al banco, and skip the latte trap. Phrases inside.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

ItalianNow

Days & Months in Italian: A Beginner's Guide

Days of the week in Italian are lowercase, all masculine except la domenica, and il lunedì means every Monday. Learn the days, months, dates, and seasons.

June 5, 2026 4 min read