Learning how to say hello in Chinese is the first step to connecting with over a billion speakers worldwide. Whether you’re visiting China, meeting Mandarin speakers, or exploring the language for fun, knowing this simple greeting can open doors and create instant connections.
Chinese offers both formal and casual ways to say hello, each suited for different situations. Mastering these greetings will make your conversations warmer and more authentic.
Say Hello in Chinese
Here’s a table of 15 ways to say “Hello” in Chinese with pronunciation, meaning, and usage context:
Learn 15 authentic Chinese greetings—from standard Mandarin to local dialects and casual slang—each with practical examples and cultural notes.
15 phrases table for How to Say Hello in Chinese
| Chinese Phrase | Pinyin | Meaning | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 你好 | nǐ hǎo | Hello | Polite, standard greeting for anyone |
| 您好 | nín hǎo | Hello (formal) | To elders, teachers, business settings |
| 大家好 | dàjiā hǎo | Hello, everyone | Addressing a group or audience |
| 早 | zǎo | Morning | Casual “Good morning” with friends or coworkers |
| 早上好 | zǎoshang hǎo | Good morning | Polite morning greeting |
| 下午好 | xiàwǔ hǎo | Good afternoon | Polite afternoon greeting |
| 晚上好 | wǎnshàng hǎo | Good evening | Polite evening greeting |
| 喂 | wéi | Hello (phone) | Answering a phone call |
| 嗨 | hāi | Hi | Very casual, borrowed from English |
| 哈喽 | hālóu | Hello | Informal, from English |
| 久仰 | jiǔ yǎng | I’ve heard so much about you | Very formal, first-time meetings |
| 你好吗? | nǐ hǎo ma? | How are you? | Polite inquiry after greeting |
| 最近好吗? | zuìjìn hǎo ma? | How have you been recently? | Friendly follow-up greeting |
| 你吃了吗? | nǐ chī le ma? | Have you eaten? | Old-fashioned, casual greeting |
| 嘿 | hēi | Hey | Very casual, friendly tone |
1. 你好 (Nǐ hǎo) – Hello
Origin & Context:
This is the standard way to say “hello” in Mandarin. It literally means “you good” and is widely taught to learners.
Example:
👤 User A: 你好！我是李明。
👤 User B: 你好，李明！很高兴认识你。
(Hello! I’m Li Ming.
Hello, Li Ming! Nice to meet you.)
Use: Neutral/formal; universal for all situations.
2. 您好 (Nín hǎo) – Respectful Hello
Origin & Context:
“Nín” is the polite form of “you,” often used to show respect to elders, teachers, or in formal settings.
Example:
👤 User A: 您好，请问您是王老师吗？
👤 User B: 是的，我是。
(Hello, are you Teacher Wang?
Yes, I am.)
Use: Formal, respectful.
3. 嗨 (Hāi) – Hi
Origin & Context:
A transliteration of the English “hi,” commonly used among young people, especially online or in casual situations.
Example:
👤 User A: 嗨，你来了！
👤 User B: 嗨，好久不见！
(Hi, you’re here!
Hi! Long time no see!)
Use: Very casual and friendly.
4. 喂 (Wèi) – Hello (on the phone)
Origin & Context:
“喂” is the standard greeting when answering the phone in Chinese. It has no literal meaning—just a call for attention.
Example:
📞 👤 User A: 喂？你好。
📞 👤 User B: 喂，是我，小张。
(Hello?
Hello, it’s me—Xiao Zhang.)
Use: Only for phone calls.
5. 大家好 (Dàjiā hǎo) – Hello, everyone
Origin & Context:
Used when addressing a group. “Dàjiā” means “everyone.”
Example:
👤 User A: 大家好，我叫王莉，是新来的同事。
👤 User B: 欢迎欢迎！
(Hello everyone, I’m Wang Li, the new colleague.
Welcome, welcome!)
Use: Group/formal or public settings.
6. 你吃了吗？(Nǐ chī le ma?) – Have you eaten?
Origin & Context:
An old-school greeting used in the past when food was scarce. It’s a caring way to say hello, still heard among older generations.
Example:
👤 User A: 你吃了吗？
👤 User B: 吃了，谢谢你。你呢？
(Have you eaten?
Yes, thanks. You?)
Use: Traditional and polite; rural or older people use.
7. 早上好 (Zǎoshang hǎo) – Good morning
Origin & Context:
Literally “morning good,” this is the standard morning greeting.
Example:
👤 User A: 早上好，经理。
👤 User B: 早上好，小李。
(Good morning, Manager.
Good morning, Xiao Li.)
Use: Formal or polite in the morning.
8. 早 (Zǎo) – Morning!
Origin & Context:
An informal and shortened version of “早上好.”
Example:
👤 User A: 早！
👤 User B: 早，今天真冷啊。
(Morning!
Morning, it’s really cold today!)
Use: Friendly and casual.
9. 哈喽 (Hālóu) – Hello (borrowed from English)
Origin & Context:
This is a phonetic borrowing of “hello” used in pop culture, social media, and among youth.
Example:
👤 User A: 哈喽~你在吗？
👤 User B: 在的，在的。
(Hello~ Are you there?
I’m here, I’m here.)
Use: Playful and trendy.
10. 朋友们好 (Péngyǒumen hǎo) – Hello, friends
Origin & Context:
A warm, often formal or semi-formal greeting used in speeches or broadcasts.
Example:
👤 User A: 朋友们好，今天我们来学习中文。
(Hello friends, today we will learn Chinese.)
Use: Formal, group context.
11. 久违了 (Jiǔwéi le) – Long time no see
Origin & Context:
Literally means “it’s been a long time,” often used as a greeting for someone you haven’t seen in a while.
Example:
👤 User A: 哇，久违了！你最近怎么样？
👤 User B: 我挺好的，你呢？
(Wow, long time no see! How have you been?
I’ve been good. You?)
Use: Friendly, somewhat nostalgic.
12. 安 (Ān) – Peace (Taiwan usage)
Origin & Context:
A shorthand, poetic greeting mostly used in written messages or in Taiwanese Mandarin.
Example:
👤 User A: 早安！
👤 User B: 安安～
(Good morning!
Hi there!)
Use: Written, regional, sweet tone.
13. 喔嗨哟 (Wōhāiyō) – Ohayo (Japanese Hello, used in China for fun)
Origin & Context:
Borrowed from Japanese “ohayou” (good morning), often used online or playfully.
Example:
👤 User A: 喔嗨哟~小可爱！
👤 User B: 哈哈哈，好中二哦！
(Ohayooo~ cutie!
Haha, you’re so extra!)
Use: Trendy, joking among young people.
14. 哈咯 (Hā luō) – Hello (regional variant)
Origin & Context:
Another playful transliteration of “hello,” often typed in text chats.
Example:
👤 User A: 哈咯~今晚要不要打游戏？
👤 User B: 好啊，我上线了！
(Hello~ Want to game tonight?
Sure, I’m online!)
Use: Fun and informal; mostly online.
15. 哟 (Yō) – Yo / Hey
Origin & Context:
A casual attention-grabbing sound used in conversation. Similar to “yo” in English.
Example:
👤 User A: 哟，这不是小王嘛！
👤 User B: 哈，你怎么来了？
(Yo, isn’t that Xiao Wang?
Haha, what brings you here?)
Use: Casual and expressive.
FAQs
1. What is the most common way to say hello in Chinese?
The most common greeting is “你好” (nǐ hǎo) — used in everyday situations.
2. How do you say hello politely?
Use “您好” (nín hǎo) — a respectful version for elders, teachers, or customers.
3. How do you say hello casually?
Friends often say “嗨” (hāi) — similar to “hi.”
4. Is there a way to say hello on the phone?
Yes, people say “喂” (wéi) — the standard phone greeting.
5. How do you say good morning in Chinese?
“早上好” (zǎoshang hǎo) — a polite morning greeting.
6. How do you say good afternoon in Chinese?
Use “下午好” (xiàwǔ hǎo).
7. How do you say good evening in Chinese?
Say “晚上好” (wǎnshàng hǎo).
8. What’s the informal Chinese greeting young people use?
“嘿” (hēi) — a relaxed, friendly greeting like “hey!”
9. How do you say hello in Mandarin vs. Cantonese?
- Mandarin: 你好 (nǐ hǎo)
- Cantonese: 你好 (néih hóu)
10. Can you greet someone with ‘ni hao ma’?
Yes — “你好吗?” (nǐ hǎo ma?) means “How are you?” and works as a friendly greeting.
11. How do I greet a large group?
Use “大家好” (dàjiā hǎo) — “Hello, everyone!”
12. How do I greet formally in a meeting?
“各位好” (gèwèi hǎo) — polite and professional.
13. What’s a cute/kawaii-style hello used online?
“哈喽~” (hālóu~) — a cute, playful version of “hello.”
14. Do Chinese greetings change based on time of day?
Yes — morning, afternoon, and evening have specific greetings.
15. How do you reply when someone says ni hao?
Just say “你好” (nǐ hǎo) back — simple and polite.
Conclusion:
Learning how to say hello in Chinese is more than just memorizing a word—it’s about showing respect, building connections, and embracing a rich cultural tradition.
Whether you use a casual “nǐ hǎo” or a more formal greeting, your effort will always be appreciated. Start practicing today, and you’ll find that a simple hello can open the door to deeper conversations and friendships
