Learn Hardcore Italian: Ci vediamo al portone alle otto. - We’ll meet at the main door at eight.

It literally means “we see each other.” Vedere = to see; vediamo = we see. Ci makes the verb reciprocal (each other). As a set phrase, Ci vediamo also just means “See you.”

Can Ci vediamo be used by itself as a goodbye?

Yes. People say Ci vediamo! to mean “See you!” Add details if needed: Ci vediamo domani, Ci vediamo alle otto, etc.

Why is the present tense (vediamo) used for a future plan? Could I say Ci vedremo?

Italian often uses the present for near-future, scheduled events when there’s a time marker. Ci vediamo alle otto = “See you at eight.” Ci vedremo is also correct; it can sound a bit more neutral/predictive or slightly more formal.

Why is it ci vediamo and not vediamo ci? When do I write vediamoci?

Clitic pronouns like ci go before a conjugated verb: ci vediamo. They attach to the end only with the infinitive, gerund, or imperative/“let’s” form: vedersi, vedendoci, vediamoci (“let’s meet/see each other”).

What exactly is a portone? How is it different from porta, cancello, or ingresso?

Portone: the large main door of a building (often an apartment block). Meeting al portone means at that main entrance on the street.
Porta: a door in general (room/house door). Alla porta = at the door (of a room/house), not the big street entrance of a block.
Cancello: a gate (yard/driveway/metal gate).
Ingresso/entrata: the entrance area; all’ingresso = at the entrance.

Why is it al portone, not alla portone?

Because portone is masculine singular. A + il = al. If it were feminine, e.g., porta, you’d get alla porta (a + la = alla).

Does al portone mean inside or outside? Would davanti al portone be clearer?

By default it means “at the building’s main door,” typically right outside. If you want to be explicit, davanti al portone (“in front of the entrance”) removes ambiguity. Colloquially, people also say sotto casa (“outside/downstairs at your place”).

Why is it alle otto and not a otto?

Hours take the definite article in Italian: le due, le tre, le otto. With a, it contracts to alle (a + le). Exception: 1 o’clock is all’una (a + l’). Also note a mezzogiorno, a mezzanotte.

How do I say 8 a.m. vs 8 p.m.?

8 a.m.: alle otto del mattino / alle otto di mattina
8 p.m.: alle otto di sera; with the 24‑hour clock: alle venti

Can I change the word order, e.g., Ci vediamo alle otto al portone?

Yes. Word order is flexible. Ci vediamo al portone alle otto and Ci vediamo alle otto al portone are both natural. Choose the order that feels clearest.

Is Ci vediamo informal? How would I say this in a formal context?

Ci vediamo is neutral-friendly and fine in most contexts. In very formal writing you might opt for something like Ci vediamo alle 20:00 all’ingresso or Ci incontreremo alle 20:00 presso l’ingresso.

Can I say Ci incontriamo al portone alle otto instead?

Yes. Incontrarsi (to meet) is a close synonym. Ci vediamo sounds a bit more casual/idiomatic among friends; ci incontriamo is more neutral or slightly formal.

Can I drop ci and say Vediamo alle otto?

No. Without ci, vediamo just means “we see.” You need ci to express the reciprocal “we see each other / we’ll see each other.”

How can I be more specific about where at the building?

Use a locator:

davanti al portone (in front of the entrance)
sotto il portone (under the doorway/arch, if there is one)
nel cortile (in the courtyard)
al citofono (at the intercom)
al cancello (at the gate)

Any quick pronunciation tips for this sentence?

ci = “chee”
Double consonants matter: otto has a long tt; hold it a bit longer.
Keep vowels clear and separate in vediamo (ve-di-a-mo) and portone (por-to-ne).

How would I write the time with numbers?

Common options: alle 8, alle 8.00, alle 20:00 (24‑hour clock is common in writing). In speech, people usually say alle otto, adding di mattina/di sera if needed.

Is al portone appropriate for a station or big venue?

For stations/venues you’ll usually hear:

all’ingresso (at the entrance)
all’uscita (at the exit)
al binario X (track X, trains)
al gate X (airports)
al cancello (if it’s literally a gate) Use al portone for buildings with a big front door (e.g., an apartment block).