Mastering Chinese greetings is more than just learning a phrase—it’s about understanding Chinese culture and the relationships behind each greeting. Unlike English speakers, who can casually say “hi” in almost any situation, Chinese people greet others differently based on formality, time of day, relationships, and regional dialects.
If you’re a traveler, business professional, or language learner, knowing the correct way to say hello in Chinese helps you greet people naturally, build trust, and show respect. This guide will cover 28 different greetings, their literal translations, and when to use them.
What Does “Hi” Mean in Chinese
The English greeting “hi” doesn’t have a single Chinese character equivalent. Instead, different greetings exist depending on who you’re speaking to, their age, and the context.
For example:
- 你好 (nǐ hǎo) – A common greeting for everyday use.
- 您好 (nín hǎo) – A formal greeting, used when showing respect to elders or superiors.
- 吃了吗? (chī le ma?) – A casual greeting that literally means “Have you eaten?” and is a cultural way to show care.
💡 Pronunciation Tip: Chinese is a tonal language, meaning a word’s meaning can change based on whether it has a rising tone or a falling tone.
Different Ways to Say “Hi” in Chinese
Greetings in Chinese change based on:
- Who you’re talking to (friends vs. elders)
- The setting (casual vs. formal)
- The time of day
- The medium (spoken vs. text messages)
Below, we break down Chinese greetings into formal, informal, and situational categories.
Formal vs. Informal Greetings
Formality in Chinese communication is crucial, especially in professional and respectful settings. Using the wrong level of formality can unintentionally cause offense.
Formal Greetings
In business, formal introductions, and when addressing elders, polite greetings are crucial.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English Meaning | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 您好 | nín hǎo | Hello (formal) | Speaking to elders, customers, or superiors |
| 早上好 | zǎo shàng hǎo | Good morning | Formal morning greeting |
| 下午好 | xià wǔ hǎo | Good afternoon | Formal afternoon greeting |
| 晚上好 | wǎn shàng hǎo | Good evening | Formal evening greeting |
| 您贵姓? | nín guì xìng? | What is your honorable surname? | Formal way to ask for someone’s last name |
| 久仰 | jiǔ yǎng | I’ve heard a lot about you | Meeting someone important for the first time |
| 幸会幸会 | xìng huì xìng huì | Nice to meet you | Very polite greeting in a professional setting |
Informal Greetings
When greeting Chinese friends or people of your own age, casual greetings are more appropriate.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English Meaning | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 你好 | nǐ hǎo | Hello | Standard informal greeting |
| 嘿 | hēi | Hey | Casual and friendly |
| 嗨 | hāi | Hi | Borrowed from English, very casual |
| 哈喽 | hā lóu | Hello | Informal, English-influenced |
| 早啊 | zǎo a | Morning! | Informal way to say “good morning” |
| 吃了吗? | chī le ma? | Have you eaten? | Common friendly greeting in Chinese culture |
| 最近怎么样? | zuì jìn zěn me yàng? | How have you been? | Used when catching up with friends |
Greetings for Specific Situations
Different greetings are used based on time of day, business settings, or first-time meetings.
Greetings Based on Time of Day
| Chinese | Pinyin | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 早上好 | zǎo shàng hǎo | Good morning |
| 午安 | wǔ ān | Good noon (rare, mostly written) |
| 下午好 | xià wǔ hǎo | Good afternoon |
| 晚上好 | wǎn shàng hǎo | Good evening |
| 晚安 | wǎn ān | Good night |
Greetings for Business & Work Settings
| Chinese | Pinyin | English Meaning | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 您好，欢迎光临 | nín hǎo, huān yíng guāng lín | Hello, welcome | Used in customer service |
| 你好，很高兴见到您 | nǐ hǎo, hěn gāo xìng jiàn dào nín | Hello, nice to meet you | Polite for business meetings |
| 请多多指教 | qǐng duō duō zhǐ jiào | Please give me your guidance | Used when meeting new colleagues |
Greetings for Meeting Someone for the First Time
| Chinese | Pinyin | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 很高兴认识你 | hěn gāo xìng rèn shí nǐ | Nice to meet you |
| 你好，请问你叫什么名字? | nǐ hǎo, qǐng wèn nǐ jiào shén me míng zì? | Hello, what’s your name? |
| 你是哪里人? | nǐ shì nǎ lǐ rén? | Where are you from? |
Common Greetings in Text Messages, Call or Online Communication & Social Media
The digital world has given rise to slang and shorthand greetings.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 喂 | wèi | Hello? (Used on the phone) |
| 哈喽 | hā lóu | Hello (internet-influenced) |
| 嘿嘿嘿 | hēi hēi hēi | Hey hey hey (playful, mischievous) |
| 嗨喽 | hāi lóu | Heyyo! (Casual and fun) |
| yo yo 你好 | yo yo nǐ hǎo | Yo yo hello (Very casual, often seen in chat) |
Bonus: Funny or Playful Greetings (Used with Friends or Online)
Some greetings add a fun, mischievous, or humorous tone.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 嘿嘿嘿 | hēi hēi hēi | Playful “hey hey hey” |
| 吃饭了没? | chī fàn le méi? | Have you eaten yet? (Common but playful) |
| yo yo 你好 | yo yo nǐ hǎo | Yo yo hello (Internet slang) |
How Greetings Change in Different Chinese Dialects
In different regions, Chinese people greet each other with different Chinese characters:
- Mandarin: 你好 (nǐ hǎo), 您好 (nín hǎo)
- Cantonese: 你好 (néih hóu)
- Shanghainese: 侬好 (nóng hǎo)
- Hokkien: 你好 (lí hó)
If you are learning basic Chinese, Mandarin is the best place to start.
Cultural Etiquette for Saying “Hi” in Chinese
In Chinese culture, greetings go beyond just words—they include non-verbal elements that convey respect and relationship dynamics. While English speakers rely mostly on verbal greetings, Chinese people greet using body language and subtle gestures to showing respect based on age, status, and familiarity.
Non-Verbal Aspects of Greetings
- Nodding – The most common non-verbal way to say hello in China, especially in formal settings. A slight nod acknowledges the other person politely without being overly familiar.
- Handshakes – Used in business or professional settings, but unlike Western culture, Chinese handshakes are often softer and shorter. A strong grip might seem aggressive.
- Bowing – Not as common in China as in Japan, but a slight bow or inclination of the head can be a sign of respect, especially when greeting elders or important figures.
- Smiling – A polite smile is an acceptable informal greeting when meeting new friends or acquaintances.
- Avoiding Excessive Physical Contact – Unlike some Western cultures where hugs or pats on the back are common, Chinese greetings tend to be more reserved. Young people may be more relaxed, but touching is generally minimal.
Understanding these non-verbal greetings helps English speakers adapt to Chinese culture and interact naturally with native Chinese speakers.
Evolution of Greetings in Chinese History
The way Chinese people greet has changed significantly over centuries. Ancient China had highly formalised greeting rituals that emphasised social hierarchy, respect, and tradition.
Traditional Greetings in Ancient China
- 拱手礼 (gǒng shǒu lǐ) – The “Salute with Fists”
- A respectful greeting where one hand is cupped over the other and raised slightly in front of the chest.
- Still used today in Chinese New Year greetings or martial arts culture.
- 跪拜 (guì bài) – Kneeling Bow
- In imperial times, subjects greeted the emperor by kneeling and bowing deeply.
- This was also used to greet parents and ancestors in highly formal settings.
- 作揖 (zuò yī) – Deep Bow
- A standing bow with hands clasped together, commonly used in formal events.
- Unlike English greetings, which are mostly verbal, this physical gesture expressed deep respect.
Modern Changes in Greetings
With globalisation and modernisation, Chinese greetings have become more casual. Today, people often say hello in Chinese using expressions borrowed from Western languages, like:
- 嗨 (hāi) – Hi (borrowed from English)
- 哈喽 (hā lóu) – Hello (common among young people)
- yo yo 你好 (yo yo nǐ hǎo) – Yo yo hello (used in casual conversations)
While traditional greetings still exist in formal or ceremonial settings, everyday interactions have shifted toward simpler, informal greetings, much like English speakers use.
Common Mistakes When Saying “Hi” in Chinese
Even though learning Chinese greetings seems straightforward, English speakers often make mistakes that can lead to awkward interactions. Here are some of the most common ones:
1. Using the Wrong Tones
Chinese is a tonal language, and the rising tone or falling tone can change the meaning entirely.
- Saying “mǎ” (马) instead of “mā” (妈) turns “mother” into “horse”!
- Similarly, mispronouncing 你好 (nǐ hǎo) can make it sound unnatural or incorrect.
Solution: Practice tones carefully using apps, recordings, or lessons from native speakers.
2. Mixing Up Formality Levels
Many English speakers use 你好 (nǐ hǎo) when they should be using 您好 (nín hǎo) in formal situations.
- 你好 (nǐ hǎo) – Used for greeting Chinese friends or people of your own age.
- 您好 (nín hǎo) – Used when showing respect to elders, teachers, or business contacts.
Solution: When in doubt, use the more formal greeting (您).
3. Overusing Direct Translations of English Greetings
Not all English greetings translate well into Chinese. Saying “How are you?” (你好吗? nǐ hǎo ma?) is grammatically correct but sounds unnatural in casual Chinese conversations. Native Chinese speakers don’t use this phrase as frequently as English speakers might expect.
Solution: Instead, use natural greetings like:
✔ 最近怎么样? (zuì jìn zěn me yàng?) – How have you been?
✔ 吃了吗? (chī le ma?) – Have you eaten? (Cultural way to check in on someone.)
4. Forgetting Contextual Greetings
Different greetings apply to different times of day and situations. Many learners rely too much on 你好 but forget that in the evening, good evening (晚上好 wǎn shàng hǎo) would be more appropriate.
Solution: Learn greetings based on time of day, such as:
✔ Good morning (早上好 zǎo shàng hǎo)
✔ Good afternoon (下午好 xià wǔ hǎo)
✔ Good night (晚安 wǎn ān) (Used before going to sleep.)
5. Not Adapting Greetings for Business or Work Settings
Saying 你好 (nǐ hǎo) might be fine with Chinese friends, but in business, using a more formal greeting is important.
✔ In professional settings, say:
- 您好，欢迎光临 (nín hǎo, huān yíng guāng lín) – Hello, welcome (Used in customer service.)
- 请多多指教 (qǐng duō duō zhǐ jiào) – Please guide me well (Used when meeting new colleagues.)
Solution: Adjust your way to say hello based on whether it’s a business setting, a casual chat, or an online conversation.
How to Learn and Practice Chinese Greetings
To confidently say hello in Chinese, regular practice is key. Enrolling in a beginner Mandarin group class at Linda Mandarin will help you greet people naturally while receiving feedback from native Chinese speakers. If you’re looking to improve fluency, a Conversational Chinese Course can help with practical Chinese language skills.
Beyond structured lessons, try:
- Watching Chinese media for real-life greetings in other contexts
- Practicing with language exchange partners
- Using flashcards to remember different greetings
With the right approach, English speakers can quickly master common greetings and communicate confidently.
Conclusion
Learning Chinese greetings is about more than just memorising words—it’s about understanding Chinese culture and using the right greeting for the right context. Whether you’re greeting new friends, Chinese friends, or business associates, paying attention to formality, non-verbal gestures, and tone is key.
To improve your Chinese language skills, consider enrolling in a beginner Mandarin group class at Linda Mandarin or improving your fluency with a conversational Chinese course.
Mastering common greetings will help you greet people naturally, make better connections, and navigate different Chinese-speaking environments with confidence.
