Saluti

Saluti is the Italian plural of saluto, meaning greetings or acts of greeting. The term derives from the Latin salutare, to greet, and salutatio, a greeting or salutation. In everyday Italian, saluti encompass both spoken phrases and non-verbal gestures used to acknowledge another person.

Common verbal greetings include buongiorno (good morning or early day), buonasera (good evening), ciao (informal hello and goodbye), and salve (neutral or formal hello). Arrivederci is a farewell; a presto means see you soon. The choice of greeting depends on formality, time of day, and relationship.

Non-verbal greetings include handshakes in formal contexts, and, in many regions, cheek kissing or embraces among friends and family. Cultural norms regarding greetings can vary by region and social setting, influencing how and when different forms are used.

In writing, saluti appears as a closing and belongs to conventional sign-offs such as Cordiali saluti or Distinti saluti in letters and emails. The use of a closing phrase signals politeness and the intended tone of the communication.

The term saluti can also refer to greetings directed to a group, or to the act of greeting as a social practice in Italian-speaking cultures, reflecting how language and gesture together structure everyday interactions.