20 Ways to Say Hello in Chinese [Definitive Guide for Beginners]

Are you curious about the diverse ways to greet someone in Chinese? “How do you say hello in Chinese?” is a common question among language enthusiasts. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the 20 best ways to say hello in Chinese, providing insights into the cultural significance and linguistic nuances.

Whether you’re a traveler, language learner, or simply curious about different cultures, this article will uncover the various ways to say “hello” in Chinese. You might be surprised to learn that Chinese has several different greetings. We will explore how to say “hello” in Chinese, including the characters, Pinyin pronunciation, formality, and their English translations.

1. Hello – “你好” (nǐ hǎo)

“你好” (nǐ hǎo) is the most common way to say “hello” in Chinese. 你好 ( nǐ hǎo ) literally translates into “you good.” and its Pinyin pronunciation is “nee hao.” It balances politeness and neutrality, making it appropriate for most social interactions. “你好” conveys a warm, friendly tone, helping to establish a positive and respectful atmosphere for conversation.

In fact, the most common situation in which native Chinese speakers use this word is when meeting someone new. 你好 is also occasionally used as a written greeting from a superior to a subordinate.

2. Hello – “您好” (nín hǎo)

In Mandarin Chinese, “您好” (nín hǎo) is a formal and polite form to say “hello” in Chinese. The Pinyin pronunciation is “neen hao.” The first word used is still a rising tone. This greeting is more polite than the standard “你好” (nǐ hǎo) and is typically used when addressing someone of higher status, such as elders, superiors, or in professional settings.

The Chinese character “您” (nín) is a respectful form of “你” (nǐ), with the radical 心 meaning “heart” subtly implying that the greeting is more heartfelt and sincere. 您好 “Nin hao” is a perfect example of Chinese greetings reflecting the culture’s emphasis on respect and politeness.

It’s an essential phrase in learning Chinese, especially when you want to show extra courtesy in your interactions with the Chinese language.

3. Hello Everybody – “你们好” (nǐ men hǎo)

你们好 (nǐ men hǎo) is a greeting commonly used in Mandarin Chinese to address a group of people. The pronunciation is “nee mun hao,” which translates to “hello, everyone” in English.

This greeting is suitable for both formal and informal occasions, such as meetings, gatherings, or when addressing a group of friends or colleagues. It maintains a polite and inclusive tone, acknowledging the presence of multiple individuals and expressing goodwill towards the entire group.

4. Hello Everybody – “大家好” (dàjiā hǎo)

This kind of greeting is used for a large group of people. This states directly to everyone good. The 大 character (dà) means “big” and 好 (hăo) means “good”. These words are used to address a group of three or more people.

If you’ve taken a Mandarin class or will start one soon, your teacher will most likely address the entire class with 大家好 (dàjiā hǎo). This Chinese greeting is a way to address a group and greet them collectively. It’s a versatile expression that can be used with friends, classmates, an audience, and more, making it suitable for various social contexts.

5. Hi – “嗨” (hāi)

嗨 in English is commonly translated as “hi.” Young people in urban areas use it as an informal greeting to greet friends and others around their age. People typically use “嗨” in casual settings, such as when communicating with friends, colleagues, or acquaintances, conveying a relaxed and friendly tone. These informal greetings are great for addressing Chinese friends around your own age.

It conveys a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, being less formal but still polite. The word expresses warmth and enthusiasm, making it suitable for everyday interactions.

6. How are you? – 你好吗？(nǐ hǎo ma)

你好吗？ is the Chinese way of asking “How are you?” It is commonly used in both casual and polite conversations, similar to the English greeting. The phrase consists of 你 (nǐ) meaning “you” and 好吗 (hǎo ma), which is a question asking if someone is well or fine. You typically use this phrase to check on someone’s well-being, either when meeting them for the first time or catching up with friends and acquaintances.

你好吗？ can be used in most contexts, though it may sound more formal than a simple “How are you?” in English, depending on the relationship between the speakers. It expresses concern and a desire to know how the person is doing, making it suitable for both social and professional settings.

7. Good Moring – “早安” (zǎo ān)

早安 (zǎo ān) is a common way to say hello in Chinese for “good morning.”It is a quick way to say hello in the morning and is suitable for both formal and informal settings. This greeting is considered polite and carries a neutral formality, making it appropriate for various social interactions.

It conveys a friendly and positive tone, wishing the recipient a good start to the day.

8. Good Moring – “早上好” (zǎo shang hǎo)

You can use “Good morning” in Chinese as “早上好” (zǎo shang hǎo) to greet people in the morning. The correct pronunciation is “zow shung how.” This expression is suitable for both formal and informal situations and can be used with anyone, from friends and family to colleagues or strangers. You can also keep it short and casual and say 早! (zǎo), simply meaning “morning!”

There are no specific restrictions on who can use it, making it a flexible and common greeting in Mandarin Chinese.

Whether you’re starting your day with a close friend or addressing a group in a professional setting, “早上好” is the perfect way to say “Good morning” in Chinese.

9. Good Afternoon – “午安” (wǔ ān)

午安 in English is commonly translated as “good afternoon.” It is a greeting used during the afternoon hours. The pronunciation is “woo an. 午安 is suitable for both formal and informal occasions when you want to greet someone or wish them a pleasant afternoon.

This greeting conveys a friendly and gentle atmosphere and is considered polite and moderately formal. Whether you are interacting with friends, colleagues, or strangers, “Good afternoon” is a courteous and appropriate way to acknowledge the time of day.

10. Good Afternoon – “中午好” (zhōng wǔ hǎo)

中午好 (zhōng wǔ hǎo) is another way to say hello during the noon hours. The pronunciation is “zhong woo how.” It translates to “good noon” in English.

This greeting is appropriate for both formal and informal situations when you want to wish someone a good day during the midday. It carries a polite and moderately formal tone, making it suitable for various social interactions.

By using “good noon,” you convey a friendly and respectful attitude, acknowledging the specific time of day and extending well wishes. However, not many Chinese people greet like this, and this is rarely spoken in Chinese culture.

11. Good Evening – “晚安” (wǎn ān)

晚安 in English is commonly translated as “goodnight.” It is a farewell greeting used in the evening hours. The pronunciation is “wahn an.” 晚安 is suitable for both formal and informal situations when you want to bid someone goodnight or wish them a peaceful evening and a restful sleep.

This farewell conveys a friendly and caring attitude and is considered moderately formal. Whether you are saying goodbye to friends, family, or colleagues, using “good night” expresses your concern and wishes for a calm night and pleasant dreams.

12. Good Evening – “晚上好” (wǎn shàng hǎo)

晚上好 in English can be translated as “good evening.” It is a common greeting used in the evening hours. The pronunciation is “wahn shahng how.” This greeting is suitable for both formal and informal occasions when you want to greet someone or wish them a pleasant evening. It carries a polite and moderately formal tone, making it appropriate for various social interactions.

13. Excuse Me – “请问” (qǐng wèn)

请问 in English can be translated as “excuse me” or “may I ask.” It is a polite phrase in Chinese to ask a question, seek assistance, or get someone’s attention. The pronunciation is “ching wun.” 请问 often appears in both formal and informal situations.

It is polite and respectful, making it appropriate for various social interactions. By using “excuse me” or “may I ask,” you convey a courteous attitude while seeking information or engaging in a conversation.

14. Please Come In – “请进” (qǐng jìn)

请进 in English can be translated as “please come in.” It is a polite invitation commonly used in Chinese when welcoming someone into a room, office, or place.

The pronunciation is “ching jin.” 请进 is suitable for formal occasions and conveys a courteous and welcoming attitude, showing respect to the person being invited. By using “please come in,” you express your willingness to have the person enter and make them feel comfortable and valued.

This phrase is commonly used when receiving guests, visitors, or colleagues.

15. Please Take a Seat – “请坐” (qǐng zuò)

“请坐” in English can be translated as “please have a seat” or “please take a seat.” It is a polite phrase in Chinese to invite someone to sit down, often in formal or respectful settings. The pronunciation is “ching tsoh.” 请坐 is suitable for both formal and informal occasions, and it conveys a polite and respectful tone.

By using “please have a seat,” you express your willingness to provide comfort and hospitality to the person you are addressing. This phrase is commonly used when hosting guests, conducting meetings, or in any situation where you want to offer someone a seat.

16.You Can Do It – “加油” (jiā yóu)

The English translation of 加油 is “keep it up” or “you can do it.” It is a common phrase in Chinese to encourage and support others. The pronunciation is “jyah yo.” You can use 加油 in various situations to motivate someone to work hard, whether they are studying, working, or competing. This phrase conveys a positive attitude and serves as a source of encouragement.

By using “keep it up” or “you can do it,” you express support for someone’s efforts and encourage them to persevere and overcome challenges to achieve success. This is a common phrase in sports competitions, schools, workplaces, and other contexts.

17. Long Time No See – “好久不见” (hǎo jiǔ bú jiàn)

You can translate 好久不见 into English as “long time no see.” It is a common greeting used in Chinese to express that it has been a while since the last meeting or encounter. The pronunciation is “how jyoh boo jee-ehn.” You can use 好久不见 in both formal and informal situations when greeting someone you haven’t seen for a long time.

This phrase conveys a friendly and warm attitude, expressing joy and delight at the reunion after a long separation.

This is a great phrase to use if you haven’t seen someone for a long time. If you break down the Mandarin characters, you’ll see that it’s a very literal translation.

By using “long time no see,” you acknowledge the length of time since the last meeting and express anticipation and welcome for the reunion. This is a common greeting used among friends, colleagues, or even family members.

18. May I Have your last name? – “您贵姓?” (nín guì xìng?)

“您贵姓” in English can be translated as “May I ask for your surname?” It is a polite phrase commonly used in Chinese when inquiring about someone’s last name. The pronunciation is “neen gway shing.” You can use “您贵姓” in formal situations to ask a stranger or a person of high status for their surname.

This phrase conveys a sense of respect and politeness, showing interest in the person’s identity. By using “May I ask for your surname?” you express politeness and humility, demonstrating respect for the person’s privacy and status. This is a commonly used phrase in business settings, formal introductions, or initial social encounters.

19. Have you eaten? – “你吃了吗?” (nǐ chīle ma?)

Similar to asking “How are you?” in English, “Have you eaten?” is a common greeting in Chinese culture, especially among friends and acquaintances. The phrase “你吃了吗？” (nǐ chī le ma) is not meant to inquire about hunger but rather serves as a casual way of saying “hello” in Chinese.

If the response is “not yet,” it’s common for the conversation to lead to a quick meal or snack invitation. A typical reply would be “吃了, 你呢?” (chīle, nǐ ne?), the literal translation of “I’ve eaten, and you?”

This expression reflects the Chinese culture’s emphasis on caring for others and maintaining strong social connections, as it shows interest in the other person’s well-being. Just like the Western greeting “How are you?” it’s a way to express concern and warmth, reinforcing the importance of relationships in Chinese society.

20. How have you been lately? – “最近怎么样啊?” (zuìjìn zěnme yàng a?)

This is another way for a friend or acquaintance to say hello. If a person asks you how you have been, it’s not an invitation to dissect on personal details. It’s simply a casual way to say “Hey, how are you?” without using those exact words.

Another phrase that you can use in these scenarios is 你怎么会在这. (nǐ zěnme huì zài zhè?) The Chinese version of this greeting phrase is similar to saying, “What are you doing here?” In English, you can think of it as saying, “OMG, what are you doing here!”

FAQs about How do You Say Hello in Chinese

Q1: Do Chinese actually say nǐ hǎo?

Yes, “nǐ hǎo” (你好) is a common greeting in China, especially as a standard greeting in both formal and informal situations. However, it’s not always the go-to greeting in casual conversations, especially among friends or younger people.

In more relaxed settings, Chinese speakers might use other greetings like “嗨” (hāi), which is similar to saying “hi” in English. But “nǐ hǎo” remains one of the most widely recognized and used greetings.

Q2: What is the famous Chinese greeting?

The most famous and widely used greeting in China is “你好” (nǐ hǎo), which translates to “Hello” or “Hi.” The literal meaning of “你好” is “you good.” It’s the most common phrasd to say hello in Chinese.

For more formal situations, “您好” (nín hǎo) is a polite version of addressing someone respectfully, especially elders or superiors. Young people, however, often use more casual greetings like “嗨” (hāi), similar to “hi” in English.

Q3: How do you respond to Ni Hao Ma?

The typical response to “nǐ hǎo ma?” (你好吗?) which means “How are you?” is:

• “我很好，谢谢” (wǒ hěn hǎo, xièxiè) – “I’m very well, thank you.”

You can also respond with other variations based on how you feel:

• “我不错” (wǒ bù cuò) – “I’m good.”
• “还好” (hái hǎo) – “I’m okay.”
• “不太好” (bù tài hǎo) – “Not so good.”

If you want to ask the same question back, you can say “你呢?” (nǐ ne?), which means “And you?”

Summary

Did you have a good time learning all the basic Chinese greeting phrases? In conclusion, mastering the art of saying hello in Chinese opens the door to cultural understanding and meaningful connections. From the universally known Ni Hao to the more nuanced regional variations, each greeting reflects the richness of Chinese language and tradition.

So, the next time you find yourself wondering, “how do you say hello in Chinese?” remember these 20 Chinese greetings as your linguistic passport to China. If you’re interested in learning to write the Chinese characters for Chinese greetings, consider using WuKong Chinese to practice. Start your journey into the captivating world of Chinese ways of saying “hello” today.