Greetings

1. Bonghjornu

   Hello / Good morning

   Usage

   The standard greeting from morning through the day; use it first when entering a shop or hotel

   Grammar Note

   Bon (good) + ghjornu (day), written as one word. Ghj is a palatal stop, so it is not Italian "buongiorno"; the split form "bon ghjornu" also occurs

2. Grazie mille

   Thank you very much

   Usage

   A warm way to give strong thanks; mille (a thousand) adds emphasis

   Grammar Note

   Grazie tante is a variant. Grazie is spelled like Italian but is also Corsican vocabulary. For a more polite form use Vi ringraziu

3. Pè piacè

   Please

   Usage

   Added to a request or an order

   Grammar Note

   Pè (for) + piacè (pleasure). The southern spelling per piacè exists; use pè piacè. The accent is on the final è

4. Avvedeci

   Goodbye

   Usage

   A courteous farewell that works with anyone

   Grammar Note

   Also spelled avvideci. It can be followed by "è à dumane" (and see you tomorrow). Addiu sounds like a final farewell

5. Scusatemi

   Excuse me

   Usage

   A polite way to get someone's attention, e.g. before asking the way or the time

   Grammar Note

   The polite/plural imperative scusate of scusà, with the clitic mi attached. The address form is voi

6. Bonasera

   Good evening

   Usage

   An evening greeting, handy when entering a restaurant

   Grammar Note

   Bona (good) + sera (evening), written as one feminine word. Learn it together with bonanotte (good night)

7. Cumu site?

   How are you? (polite)

   Usage

   To ask how someone is doing in a polite or professional setting

   Grammar Note

   Site is the 2pl of esse (to be), used for a polite addressee. With friends use Cumu sì?. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

8. À prestu!

   See you soon!

   Usage

   A warm farewell that implies you will meet again soon

   Grammar Note

   À (until) + prestu (soon). À dumane (see you tomorrow) follows the same pattern

9. Piacè di cunnoscevi

   Pleased to meet you

   Usage

   A formal introduction phrase for business or professional settings

   Grammar Note

   Piacè (pleasure) + di + the infinitive cunnosce (to know) with the clitic vi (you) attached. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

10. Ùn parlu micca corsu

    I can't speak Corsican

    Usage

    Tells someone you cannot speak Corsican; often followed by a request to switch language

    Grammar Note

    Negation is ùn + verb + micca; keep the accent on ùn. Language names are lowercase. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

11. Turneraghju

    I'll come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop; a friendly way to signal you enjoyed it

    Grammar Note

    The 1sg future of turnà (to return); the ending -eraghju marks "I will"

12. Mi sò divirtitu assai

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Said when parting, to share how much you enjoyed it

    Grammar Note

    Reflexive verbs take esse + a participle that agrees with the speaker; a woman says divirtita. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

13. Grazie, à prestu!

    Thanks, see you!

    Usage

    A casual farewell for someone you have become friendly with

    Grammar Note

    Two short expressions in a row: grazie (thanks) and à prestu (see you soon)

14. Bonanotte

    Good night

    Usage

    Said just before going to sleep; a bedtime greeting rather than a farewell

    Grammar Note

    Bona (good) + notte (night), one feminine word; the split form bona notte also occurs

15. Escu un mumentu

    I'm heading out for a moment

    Usage

    Said when leaving your lodging for a while

    Grammar Note

    The 1sg present escu of esce (to go out) + un mumentu (a moment). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

16. Sò turnatu

    I'm back

    Usage

    Said upon returning to your lodging

    Grammar Note

    Esse + participle; the participle agrees with the speaker, so a woman says Sò turnata. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

17. Scusatemi, devu andà avà

    Excuse me, I have to go now

    Usage

    A polite phrase for excusing yourself when leaving before others

    Grammar Note

    The 1sg devu of duvè (must) + the infinitive andà. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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