How Do You Say Hello in China? 10 Common Chinese Greetings

When you start a conversation in any language, a good greeting is half the work done. If you’re planning to visit China or interact with Chinese speakers, knowing how to greet people properly can make a huge difference in communication. In this guide, we’ll explore various ways to say “hello” in Chinese, ranging from formal to casual expressions, with some fun facts and tips on how to use them correctly.

1. Nǐ hǎo – Hello (The Most Common Greeting)

The most well-known way to say “hello” in Chinese is 你好 (Nǐ hǎo). The term consists of two simple characters:

• 你 (Nǐ) means “you.”
• 好 (Hǎo) means “good.”

Usage

You can use this greeting in most situations, especially when meeting strangers or in professional settings. It’s a universal, friendly greeting and works like “Hello!” in English.

Example:

• 你好，早上好! (Nǐ hǎo, zǎoshang hǎo!) — “Hello, good morning!”

Tip:

If you want to show respect, especially to elders or in formal contexts, you can say 您好 (Nín hǎo), where 您 (nín) is the polite form of 你 (nǐ).

2. Nǐmen hǎo – Hello Everyone (When Greeting a Group)

To greet more than one person, you can add 们 (men) to make the phrase plural.

• 你们 (Nǐmen) means “you (plural).”
• 好 (hǎo) remains “good.”

你们好 (Nǐmen hǎo) is the perfect way to greet a group. It’s commonly used in meetings, schools, or social settings.

Example:

• 你们好! (Nǐmen hǎo!) — “Hello everyone!”

3. Gè wèi hǎo – A Polite Group Greeting

A more formal version of Nǐmen hǎo is 各位好 (Gè wèi hǎo), which can be translated as “Hello, everyone!” but carries a more polite tone. It’s commonly used in professional settings, such as greeting colleagues on the first day of work or addressing a crowd.

Example:

• 各位好! (Gè wèi hǎo!) — “Hello, everyone!”

4. Hāi/Hēi – Casual “Hi” or “Hey”

For a more casual and informal greeting, especially among younger people, 嗨 (Hāi) or 嘿 (Hēi) is commonly used. This is equivalent to saying “Hi!” or “Hey!” in English. It’s a friendly greeting used by Chinese speakers in informal situations.

Example:

• 嗨，最近怎么样？ (Hāi, zuìjìn zěnme yàng?) — “Hey, how have you been lately?”

5. Zǎo – Short and Sweet “Morning”

When greeting someone in the morning, you can simply say 早 (Zǎo), which is short for 早上好 (Zǎoshang hǎo), meaning “Good morning.” It’s used casually, especially in workplaces or between friends.

Example:

• 早! (Zǎo!) — “Morning!”

6. Wèi – “Hello” Over the Phone

喂 (Wèi) is used primarily when answering the phone. It’s similar to saying “Hello” or “Hey” when picking up the phone in English.

Example:

• 喂，你好！ (Wèi, nǐ hǎo!) — “Hello, who’s this?”

7. Hǎojiǔ bú jiàn – Long Time No See

If you’re catching up with an old friend, you can use 好久不见 (Hǎojiǔ bù jiàn), which means “Long time no see.” It’s a great way to greet someone you haven’t seen in a while.

Example:

• 好久不见！(Hǎojiǔ bù jiàn!) — “Long time no see!”

8. Nǐ chīle ma? – Did You Eat?

In Chinese culture, it’s common to greet someone with 你吃了吗? (Nǐ chīle ma?), meaning “Have you eaten?” Although this might sound strange to non-Chinese speakers, it’s a culturally ingrained way of showing care. A simple “Yes, I ate. What about you?” will keep the conversation flowing.

Example:

• 你吃了吗？ (Nǐ chīle ma?) — “Did you eat?”

Key Chinese Greetings Summary

Common Mistakes in Chinese Greetings

When learning Chinese greetings, many people make a few common mistakes. For example, asking 你好吗? (Nǐ hǎo ma? — “How are you?”) can feel distant and impolite, especially among friends. Instead, it’s better to ask context-specific questions like 你吃了吗? (Nǐ chīle ma?) or 下班了啊? (Xiàbān le a? — “Did you finish work?”).

Conclusion: The Importance of Context in Chinese Greetings

As you can see, greetings in Chinese go beyond simple phrases and involve nuances based on context. Understanding when and how to use these expressions will help you make a good impression and build meaningful relationships in China.