Italian Phrase
Ehi! Come stai?
Meaning
This is a friendly and informal greeting used to check in on someone's well-being. 'Ehi' acts as an attention-grabber or casual opener, while 'Come stai?' is the standard way to ask 'How are you?' in the 'tu' (informal) form. It is the most common way to start a conversation with a friend or acquaintance.
When to use
Use this phrase in casual settings with friends, family, or people your own age. It is perfect for bumping into someone on the street or starting a text message to a peer.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ehi!Comestai?
Stare vs Essere
In Italian, the verb 'stare' is used to express health, mood, or location, whereas 'essere' is used for permanent qualities.
Informal 'Tu'
'Stai' is the second-person singular form, used for friends. For formal situations, you would use 'sta'.
🗨In Conversation
Ehi! Come stai?
Hey! How are you?
Bene, grazie! E tu?
Fine, thanks! And you?
✕Common Mistakes
Ehi! Come sei?
English speakers often use 'essere' (to be) instead of 'stare' (to stay/be) for health and feelings. Always use 'stare' for 'How are you?'
Ehi! Come sta?
While 'sta' is grammatically correct for formal situations, 'Ehi' is too informal to be paired with the formal 'Lei' form.
↔Alternatives
Come va?
How's it going?
Tutto bene?
Everything good?
Ehi, come te la passi?
Hey, how's it going for you?
Cultural Tip
In Italy, greetings are often very warm. When saying 'Ehi! Come stai?' to a close friend, it is common to accompany it with 'il bacetto' (two light kisses on the cheeks, starting with the left). It's also expected that you wait for a brief answer rather than just using it as a passing 'hello'.