How to Say Hi in Chinese: Greetings for Every Situation¶

Knowing how to say "hi" or "hello" is one of the most basic yet important skills when learning any language. In Chinese, greetings vary based on formality, time of day, relationship, and context. This comprehensive guide will teach you how to greet people in Chinese for virtually any situation, complete with pronunciation guides and cultural insights.

The Most Common Chinese Greeting: 你好 (Nǐ hǎo)¶

Basic Pronunciation¶

Characters: 你好
Pinyin: Nǐ hǎo
Literal meaning: You good

Pronunciation tips: - Nǐ: Pronounce like "nee" but with a dipping tone that falls and then rises - hǎo: Pronounce like "how" with the same dipping tone (falls then rises) - The third tone (ǎ) is often shortened when two third tones occur together, so in practice, "nǐ hǎo" often sounds more like "ní hǎo"

Usage: This is the universal, all-purpose greeting in Mandarin Chinese that works in almost any situation. It's similar to saying "hello" in English.

Audio Example¶

To hear the correct pronunciation, you can: - Use language learning apps like Pleco or Google Translate - Search "ni hao pronunciation" on YouTube - Listen to native speakers on Forvo

Formal and Polite Chinese Greetings¶

您好 (Nín hǎo) - Formal "Hello"¶

Characters: 您好
Pinyin: Nín hǎo
Literal meaning: You (respectful) good

Usage: This is the polite version of "nǐ hǎo," using the respectful form of "you" (您 instead of 你). Use this when: - Meeting someone older - Speaking to people in positions of authority - Addressing clients or customers - In business settings - When you want to show extra respect

早上好 (Zǎoshang hǎo) - Good Morning¶

Characters: 早上好
Pinyin: Zǎoshang hǎo
Literal meaning: Morning good

Usage: Use from early morning until around 10-11 AM.

A shorter version is simply 早 (Zǎo), which literally means "early" but functions as "morning" or "good morning" in greetings.

下午好 (Xiàwǔ hǎo) - Good Afternoon¶

Characters: 下午好
Pinyin: Xiàwǔ hǎo
Literal meaning: Afternoon good

Usage: Use from around noon until early evening (5-6 PM).

晚上好 (Wǎnshang hǎo) - Good Evening¶

Characters: 晚上好
Pinyin: Wǎnshang hǎo
Literal meaning: Evening good

Usage: Use from evening until night (roughly after 6 PM).

Casual and Friendly Chinese Greetings¶

喂 (Wèi) - Hey/Hi (Phone greeting)¶

Characters: 喂
Pinyin: Wèi
Pronunciation: Similar to "way" but with a falling tone

Usage: - The standard way to answer the phone in Chinese - Can also be used to get someone's attention, similar to "hey" in English - Generally more casual than "nǐ hǎo"

嗨 (Hāi) - Hi¶

Characters: 嗨
Pinyin: Hāi
Pronunciation: Sounds very similar to English "hi" but with a high, level tone

Usage: - A very casual greeting borrowed from English - Popular among young people - Used in casual situations with friends

哈喽 (Hā lóu) - Hello¶

Characters: 哈喽
Pinyin: Hā lóu
Pronunciation: Similar to English "hello" but with Mandarin tones

Usage: - Another casual greeting borrowed from English - Common among younger generations - More playful than traditional Chinese greetings

Context-Specific Chinese Greetings¶

吃了吗? (Chī le ma?) - Have you eaten?¶

Characters: 吃了吗?
Pinyin: Chī le ma?
Literal meaning: Eat already question-particle?

Usage: - A traditional greeting, especially among older generations - Equivalent to "How are you?" - not an actual inquiry about meals - Shows care by asking about a basic need - You can reply with "吃了" (Chī le) - "Yes, I've eaten" regardless of whether you've actually eaten

最近怎么样? (Zuìjìn zěnme yàng?) - How have you been lately?¶

Characters: 最近怎么样?
Pinyin: Zuìjìn zěnme yàng?
Literal meaning: Recently how manner?

Usage: - Used when meeting someone you haven't seen for a while - Similar to "How have you been?" or "What's new?" in English - A good follow-up after saying "nǐ hǎo"

好久不见 (Hǎojiǔ bú jiàn) - Long time no see¶

Characters: 好久不见
Pinyin: Hǎojiǔ bú jiàn
Literal meaning: Very long not see

Usage: - Used when reuniting with someone after a long time - Can be used as both a greeting and a comment on the length of separation - Works in both casual and somewhat formal situations

Regional Variations of Chinese Greetings¶

Cantonese: 你好 (Nei5 hou2) - Hello¶

Characters: 你好
Jyutping: Nei5 hou2 (Cantonese romanization system)
Usage: Basic greeting in Cantonese, spoken in Hong Kong, Macau, and Guangdong province

Taiwanese: 你好 (Lí-hó) - Hello¶

Characters: 你好
Taiwanese Romanization: Lí-hó
Usage: How "hello" is pronounced in Taiwanese Hokkien, common in Taiwan alongside Mandarin

Shanghainese: 侬好 (Nong2 hao3) - Hello¶

Characters: 侬好
Usage: Basic greeting in Shanghainese (Wu dialect), spoken in Shanghai and surrounding areas

Situational Greeting Examples¶

Business Setting¶

First meeting with a client: 您好！我是[Your Name]。很高兴认识您。
Nín hǎo! Wǒ shì [Your Name]. Hěn gāoxìng rènshi nín.
(Hello! I am [Your Name]. Very pleased to meet you.)

Casual Setting with Friends¶

Meeting friends for dinner: 嗨，大家好！都来了吗？
Hāi, dàjiā hǎo! Dōu lái le ma?
(Hi, everyone! Is everyone here?)

Phone Conversation¶

Answering a phone call: 喂，您好！
Wèi, nín hǎo!
(Hello! [formal])

Morning Greeting to Coworkers¶

Arriving at the office: 早上好！今天天气真不错。
Zǎoshang hǎo! Jīntiān tiānqì zhēn bùcuò.
(Good morning! The weather is really nice today.)

Cultural Notes on Chinese Greetings¶

Physical Greetings¶

Unlike in many Western cultures, traditional Chinese greetings typically don't involve physical contact such as handshakes, hugs, or kisses. However:

• In modern business settings, handshakes are common and expected
• Bowing is not as common in Chinese culture as it is in Japanese or Korean culture
• Personal space is generally valued, especially with people you don't know well

Age and Hierarchy Considerations¶

Chinese culture places great emphasis on respecting elders and those in positions of authority:

• Always use more formal greetings (您好 - Nín hǎo) with older people or superiors
• When greeting a group that includes people of mixed social status, address the most senior or highest-ranking person first
• Using someone's title along with their surname (e.g., Wang Lǎoshī - Teacher Wang) is often more appropriate than casual greetings

Regional and Generational Differences¶

• Older generations may still use "Have you eaten?" (吃了吗? - Chī le ma?) as a common greeting
• Younger Chinese people, especially in urban areas, increasingly use borrowed words like "Hi" (嗨 - Hāi) or "Hello" (哈喽 - Hā lóu)
• Regional dialects may have their own unique greetings and expressions

Common Greeting Mistakes to Avoid¶

Tone Errors¶

Mandarin is a tonal language, and getting the tones wrong can change meaning:

• 你好 (Nǐ hǎo) with correct tones means "hello"
• If pronounced with incorrect tones, it could sound like different words or be confusing

Overly Casual Greetings in Formal Settings¶

• Using 嗨 (Hāi - "Hi") or 喂 (Wèi) in business meetings or with elders would be inappropriate
• Always err on the side of formality until you understand the social context better

Direct Translations from English¶

• Greeting strangers with questions like "How are you?" (你好吗? - Nǐ hǎo ma?) is less common in Chinese than in English
• Saying "Good night" (晚安 - Wǎn'ān) as a greeting is incorrect; it's only used when parting before sleep

Beyond Basic Greetings: Follow-up Phrases¶

Once you've greeted someone, these follow-up phrases can help continue the conversation:

你好吗? (Nǐ hǎo ma?) - How are you?¶

Characters: 你好吗?
Pinyin: Nǐ hǎo ma?

While this is similar to English "How are you?", it's not as commonly used as an initial greeting in Chinese. It's more often used as a follow-up question after 你好.

Typical responses:¶

• 我很好 (Wǒ hěn hǎo) - I'm very well
• 还不错 (Hái bùcuò) - Not bad
• 马马虎虎 (Mǎmǎhǔhǔ) - So-so (literally "horse horse tiger tiger")

最近忙吗? (Zuìjìn máng ma?) - Have you been busy lately?¶

Characters: 最近忙吗?
Pinyin: Zuìjìn máng ma?

This is a common follow-up question that shows interest in the other person's life.

Learning Tips for Mastering Chinese Greetings¶

Practice with Audio¶

Hearing the correct pronunciation is crucial for getting tones right: - Use language apps with audio components - Watch Chinese movies or TV shows - Listen to Chinese podcasts designed for learners

Start Simple¶

Begin with mastering 你好 (Nǐ hǎo) with the correct tones before moving on to more complex greetings.

Practice in Context¶

Role-play different scenarios: - Greeting someone in a business setting - Meeting a friend for coffee - Answering the phone - Meeting someone for the first time

Record Yourself¶

Compare your pronunciation with native speakers by: - Recording yourself saying Chinese greetings - Playing it back alongside native audio examples - Adjusting your pronunciation as needed

Conclusion¶

Learning to say "hi" in Chinese is more than just memorizing the word 你好 (Nǐ hǎo). It involves understanding the social context, using appropriate formality levels, and mastering the tones. By learning various Chinese greetings, you're taking an important first step in Chinese language acquisition and cultural understanding.

Remember that Chinese speakers generally appreciate any effort made to speak their language, even if your pronunciation isn't perfect. Starting a conversation with a simple greeting in Chinese can open doors to meaningful cultural exchanges and show respect for the language and its speakers.

As you continue learning Chinese, these basic greetings will become second nature, allowing you to navigate social situations with increasing confidence and cultural awareness.

FAQ About Chinese Greetings¶

Q: Is 你好 (Nǐ hǎo) used as frequently in China as "hello" is in English-speaking countries?
A: While 你好 is the standard greeting taught to learners, in daily life among friends and family, Chinese speakers often use more contextual greetings like "Have you eaten?" or simply launch into conversation without formal greetings.

Q: Do I need to bow when greeting someone in Chinese?
A: No, bowing is not a traditional part of Chinese greetings. A slight nod or handshake (in business contexts) is sufficient. Bowing is more associated with Japanese and Korean cultures.

Q: How do I greet someone in Chinese during holidays?
A: During Chinese New Year, you can say 新年快乐 (Xīnnián kuàilè) - Happy New Year. Other holidays have specific greetings, such as 中秋节快乐 (Zhōngqiū jié kuàilè) for Mid-Autumn Festival.

Q: Is it rude to use the informal 你好 (Nǐ hǎo) with elders or superiors?
A: While not extremely rude, using the more respectful 您好 (Nín hǎo) with elders and superiors shows proper respect and cultural awareness. When in doubt, err on the side of formality.

Q: How do Chinese people greet each other online or in text messages?
A: In text messages or online chats, Chinese speakers often use 你好 (Nǐ hǎo), 在吗? (Zài ma? - Are you there?), or even English borrowings like "hi" and "hello" written in Chinese characters (嗨, 哈喽).