Greetings & goodbyes
How to say Hello in Chinese
你好
nǐ hǎo
Literally: you · good
你好 (nǐ hǎo) is the all-purpose “hello” — safe with anyone, any time. Note the tone change: two third tones in a row make it sound more like ní hǎo, though it’s still written nǐ hǎo.
Other ways to say it
- 您好
nín hǎo
hello (polite)
Uses the respectful 您 (nín) — for elders, customers, or anyone you want to show deference to.
- 大家好
dàjiā hǎo
hello everyone
For greeting a group or opening a talk to an audience.
- 喂
wéi
hello (on the phone)
Only for answering the phone. Said with a rising 2nd tone (wéi), not the dictionary’s wèi.
In a sentence
你好，很高兴认识你。
Nǐ hǎo, hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ.
Hello, nice to meet you.
How do you say "Hello" in Chinese?
To say “hello” in Chinese, say 你好 (nǐ hǎo). Use the polite 您好 (nín hǎo) for elders or customers, and 喂 (wéi) only when answering the phone.
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