30 Curcial Chinese Greetings : Pinyin , Pronunciations & Usage

Do you want to impress your Chinese friends with authentic greetings? In Chinese culture, greetings go beyond simple “hello”s—they are deeply tied to respect, social harmony, and cultural practices. Whether you’re meeting someone for the first time or wishing someone a happy new year, knowing the right greeting can make a positive impression.

Wukong Chinese will explore 30 essential Chinese greetings, providing you with the tools to say the right thing at the right time. Ready to start mastering the art of Chinese greetings? Let’s dive in!

What Are Chinese Greetings?

Definition and Categories of Chinese Greetings

Chinese greetings, just like in English, vary depending on the context, time of day, and the relationship between speakers. These greetings can be broadly categorized into:

• General Greetings: Basic greetings like “Hello,” “Goodbye,” etc.
• Time-Specific Greetings: Greetings based on the time of day, like “Good morning” or “Good evening.”
• Formal Greetings: For professional settings or when meeting strangers.
• Festival Greetings: Special greetings used during holidays like Chinese New Year.

Comparison with English Greetings

Unlike English, Chinese greetings often reflect social hierarchies and levels of familiarity. For example, “Nǐ hǎo” (你好) is used for casual greetings, while “Nín hǎo” (您好) is more polite and formal. This shows the level of respect and the relationship between the speakers.

12 Daily and Casual Chinese Greetings

1.嗨 (Hāi) – Hi

• Usage: A casual, informal greeting, commonly used among friends.
• Pronunciation: /high/

2.哈喽 (Hā lou) – Hello

• Usage: A more casual, friendly way of saying hello, often used in online or informal settings.
• Pronunciation: /hah loh/

3.嘿 (Hēi) – Hey

• Usage: A very informal greeting, usually used among close friends or in relaxed environments.
• Pronunciation: /hey/

4.你好 (Nǐ hǎo) – Hello

• Usage: A casual, everyday greeting.
• Pronunciation: /nee how/

5. 你好吗？ (nǐ hǎo ma) How are you?

• Usage: A common greeting to ask someone how they are doing, often used with friends or acquaintances.
• Pronunciation: /nee how ma/

6.早上好 (Zǎo shàng hǎo) – Good morning

• Usage: Used in the morning until around noon.
• Pronunciation: /dzow shahng how/

7.下午好 (Xià wǔ hǎo) – Good afternoon

• Usage: Used in the afternoon.
• Pronunciation: /shyah woo how/

8.晚上好 (Wǎn shàng hǎo) – Good evening

• Usage: Used in the evening, generally after 5 PM.
• Pronunciation: /wahn shahng how/

9.晚安 (Wǎn ān) – Good night

• Usage: To say goodnight or goodbye at night.
• Pronunciation: /wahn ahn/

10.再见 (Zài jiàn) – Goodbye

• Usage: A casual way to say goodbye.
• Pronunciation: /dzye jyen/

11.祝你好运 (Zhù nǐ hǎo yùn) – Good luck

• Usage: To wish someone good luck.
• Pronunciation: /joo nee how yoon/

12. 吃了吗? (chī le ma?) – Have you eaten yet?

• Usage: A traditional greeting, often used in Chinese culture as a way to show concern for someone’s well-being.
• Pronunciation: /chih luh ma/

Greeting	Usage	Pronunciation
1. 嗨 (Hāi)	Casual, informal greeting, commonly used among friends.	/high/
2. 哈喽 (Hā lou)	More casual, friendly way of saying hello, often used in online or informal settings.	/hah loh/
3. 嘿 (Hēi)	Very informal greeting, used among close friends or in relaxed environments.	/hey/
4. 你好 (Nǐ hǎo)	Casual, everyday greeting.	/nee how/
5. 你好吗? (nǐ hǎo ma)	A common greeting to ask how someone is doing. Often used with friends or acquaintances.	/nee how ma/
6. 早上好 (Zǎo shàng hǎo)	Used in the morning until around noon, meaning “Good morning.”	/dzow shahng how/
7. 下午好 (Xià wǔ hǎo)	Used in the afternoon, meaning “Good afternoon.”	/shyah woo how/
8. 晚上好 (Wǎn shàng hǎo)	Used in the evening, generally after 5 PM, meaning “Good evening.”	/wahn shahng how/
9. 晚安 (Wǎn ān)	Used to say goodnight or goodbye at night.	/wahn ahn/
10. 再见 (Zài jiàn)	Casual way to say goodbye.	/dzye jyen/
11. 祝你好运 (Zhù nǐ hǎo yùn)	Used to wish someone good luck.	/joo nee how yoon/
12. 吃了吗? (chī le ma?)	Traditional greeting, showing concern for someone’s well-being, asking if they’ve eaten.	/chih luh ma/

12 Formal Chinese Greetings

1. 您好 (nín hǎo)

• Usage: A formal greeting, typically used to show respect when addressing elders, superiors, or strangers. It’s a polite and respectful way to say “hello.”
• Pronunciation: /neen how/

2. 早上好 (zǎo shàng hǎo)

• Usage: A formal greeting used in the morning, similar to “Good morning” in English.
• Pronunciation: /dzow shahng how/

3. 下午好 (xià wǔ hǎo)

• Usage: A polite greeting used in the afternoon to say “Good afternoon.”
• Pronunciation: /shyah woo how/

4. 晚上好 (wǎn shàng hǎo)

• Usage: A formal greeting for the evening, similar to “Good evening” in English.
• Pronunciation: /wahn shahng how/

5. 久仰 (jiǔ yǎng)

• Usage: A formal way of saying “Nice to meet you” when you’ve heard of someone before but haven’t met them.
• Pronunciation: /jyoh yahng/

6. 很高兴见到您 (hěn gāo xìng jiàn dào nín)

• Usage: A polite expression used when meeting someone for the first time, meaning “I am very pleased to meet you.”
• Pronunciation: /hun gow shing jyen dao neen/

7. 您过得怎么样? (nín guò de zěn me yàng?)

• Usage: A polite way to ask “How have you been?” after a long time.
• Pronunciation: /neen gwaw duh dzuhn muh yahng/

8. 辛苦了 (xīn kǔ le)

• Usage: Used to express gratitude for someone’s hard work, meaning “Thank you for your hard work.”
• Pronunciation: /sheen koo luh/

9. 请多关照 (qǐng duō guān zhào)

• Usage: A polite way to ask someone to take care of you or provide assistance, commonly used when meeting someone new in a formal setting.
• Pronunciation: /ching dwaw gwahn jaow/

10. 祝您工作愉快 (zhù nín gōng zuò yú kuài)

• Usage: A formal greeting wishing someone a pleasant day at work.
• Pronunciation: /joo neen gong dzwo yoo kwai/

11. 劳驾 (láo jià)

• Usage: A polite way to say “Excuse me” or “Pardon me,” often used when asking for someone’s attention or help.
• Pronunciation: /laow jya/

12. 您身体好吗? (nín shēn tǐ hǎo ma?)

• Usage: A polite way to ask someone how their health is, typically used to show concern for someone’s well-being.
• Pronunciation: /neen shun tee how ma/

Greeting	Usage	Pronunciation
1. 您好 (nín hǎo)	Formal greeting, shows respect to elders, superiors, or strangers.	/neen how/
2. 早上好 (zǎo shàng hǎo)	Formal greeting used in the morning, similar to “Good morning” in English.	/dzow shahng how/
3. 下午好 (xià wǔ hǎo)	Formal greeting used in the afternoon, meaning “Good afternoon.”	/shyah woo how/
4. 晚上好 (wǎn shàng hǎo)	Formal greeting for the evening, similar to “Good evening” in English.	/wahn shahng how/
5. 久仰 (jiǔ yǎng)	Formal way of saying “Nice to meet you” when you’ve heard of someone.	/jyoh yahng/
6. 很高兴见到您 (hěn gāo xìng jiàn dào nín)	Polite expression meaning “I am very pleased to meet you.”	/hun gow shing jyen dao neen/
7. 您过得怎么样? (nín guò de zěn me yàng?)	Polite way to ask “How have you been?” after a long time.	/neen gwaw duh dzuhn muh yahng/
8. 辛苦了 (xīn kǔ le)	Expresses gratitude for someone’s hard work.	/sheen koo luh/
9. 请多关照 (qǐng duō guān zhào)	Polite way to ask for care or assistance, used when meeting someone new.	/ching dwaw gwahn jaow/
10. 祝您工作愉快 (zhù nín gōng zuò yú kuài)	Formal greeting wishing someone a pleasant day at work.	/joo neen gong dzwo yoo kwai/
11. 劳驾 (láo jià)	Polite way to say “Excuse me” or “Pardon me,” used for attention.	/laow jya/
12. 您身体好吗? (nín shēn tǐ hǎo ma?)	Polite way to ask about someone’s health.	/neen shun tee how ma/

6 Festival Chinese Greetings

1. 新年快乐 (xīn nián kuài lè)

• Usage: The traditional greeting for Chinese New Year, meaning “Happy New Year.”
• Pronunciation: /sheen nee-an kwai luh/

2. 圣诞快乐 (shèng dàn kuài lè)

• Usage: A greeting for Christmas, meaning “Merry Christmas.”
• Pronunciation: /shuhng dahn kwai luh/

3. 中秋节快乐 (zhōng qiū jié kuài lè)

• Usage: A greeting for the Mid-Autumn Festival, wishing someone “Happy Mid-Autumn Festival.”
• Pronunciation: /jong chyoe jyeh kwai luh/

4. 端午节安康 (duān wǔ jié ān kāng)

• Usage: A greeting for the Dragon Boat Festival, wishing someone good health.
• Pronunciation: /dwan woo jyeh ahn kahng/

5. 元宵节快乐 (yuán xiāo jié kuài lè)

• Usage: A greeting for the Lantern Festival, meaning “Happy Lantern Festival.”
• Pronunciation: /ywen syow jyeh kwai luh/

6. 节日愉快 (jié rì yú kuài)

• Usage: A more general greeting for any holiday or festival, meaning “Happy Holiday.”
• Pronunciation: /jyeh ree yoo kwai/

Greeting	Usage	Pronunciation
1. 新年快乐 (xīn nián kuài lè)	Traditional greeting for Chinese New Year, “Happy New Year.”	/sheen nee-an kwai luh/
2. 圣诞快乐 (shèng dàn kuài lè)	Christmas greeting, “Merry Christmas.”	/shuhng dahn kwai luh/
3. 中秋节快乐 (zhōng qiū jié kuài lè)	Mid-Autumn Festival greeting, “Happy Mid-Autumn Festival.”	/jong chyoe jyeh kwai luh/
4. 端午节安康 (duān wǔ jié ān kāng)	Dragon Boat Festival greeting, wishing good health.	/dwan woo jyeh ahn kahng/
5. 元宵节快乐 (yuán xiāo jié kuài lè)	Lantern Festival greeting, “Happy Lantern Festival.”	/ywen syow jyeh kwai luh/
6. 节日愉快 (jié rì yú kuài)	General greeting for any holiday or festival, “Happy Holiday.”	/jyeh ree yoo kwai/

Mistakes and Tips on Chinese Greetings

Cultural Significance of Chinese Greetings

In China, greetings are often linked to showing respect. For example, when greeting older people, using “nín” (您) instead of “nǐ” (你) is a sign of politeness. Similarly, during festivals like Chinese New Year, the greetings convey wishes for prosperity, good health, and happiness.

1. Confusing “你好” (nǐ hǎo) and “您好” (nín hǎo)

• Mistake: Many learners use “你好” (nǐ hǎo) in formal settings, such as when greeting a boss or an elder.
• Tip: “你好” is casual and can be used with friends or people your age. “您好” (nín hǎo) is more respectful and should be used in formal or polite situations, like with strangers, elders, or superiors.

2. Overusing “你好吗?” (nǐ hǎo ma)

• Mistake: “你好吗?” (nǐ hǎo ma), meaning “How are you?”, is commonly used but not as frequently in Chinese as “How are you?” in English.
• Tip: In Chinese, it’s more common to simply greet someone with “你好” (nǐ hǎo) and dive into the conversation without asking how someone is doing unless you’re close. If you do ask, you can say “最近怎么样?” (zuìjìn zěnme yàng?), meaning “How have you been recently?”

3. Misunderstanding “早安” (zǎo ān)

• Mistake: Some learners may use “早安” (zǎo ān) as a general greeting throughout the day.
• Tip: “早安” (zǎo ān) means “Good morning” and is only used in the morning. After 11 a.m., switch to “你好” or other greetings based on the situation.

4. Using “谢谢” (xiè xiè) Too Soon

• Mistake: Saying “谢谢” (xiè xiè) when someone greets you or offers help may sound awkward or overly polite.
• Tip: “谢谢” should be used when you’re expressing gratitude for something, not as a greeting. Use it after receiving a favor, not before.

5. Forgetting Regional Variations

• Mistake: Learners often forget that greetings vary by region in China.
• Tip: In southern China, especially in places like Canton (Guangdong), “早唞” (zǎo tòu) is used instead of “早安” (zǎo ān) in the morning. Be aware of local dialects and customs for a more authentic experience.

6. Not Using “久等了” (jiǔ děng le)

• Mistake: When meeting someone after a long wait, learners may not know the polite way to apologize for the delay.
• Tip: Use “久等了” (jiǔ děng le), meaning “Sorry to keep you waiting,” when greeting someone after a delay. It’s polite and shows consideration.

7. Using “再见” (zài jiàn) Too Early

• Mistake: Some learners may say “再见” (zài jiàn), which means “Goodbye,” prematurely during the conversation.
• Tip: “再见” (zài jiàn) is usually used when you’re parting ways. If you’re just finishing a conversation, use “拜拜” (bài bài), or simply say “好” (hǎo) if it’s informal.

8. Misusing “你吃了吗?” (nǐ chī le ma?)

• Mistake: Some learners may be surprised when they hear “你吃了吗?” (nǐ chī le ma?) during a greeting, thinking it’s about food.
• Tip: This phrase, literally “Have you eaten?” is a common informal greeting in Chinese, particularly in the northern regions. It’s more of a way to show care than an actual question about food, so you can respond with “吃了” (chī le), meaning “Yes, I have eaten.”

9. Using “好久不见” (hǎo jiǔ bù jiàn) Incorrectly

• Mistake: Using “好久不见” (hǎo jiǔ bù jiàn) too early or with people you see regularly.
• Tip: “好久不见” (hǎo jiǔ bù jiàn) means “Long time no see” and should only be used after a significant amount of time has passed without seeing someone. It’s not for casual encounters or regular interactions.

10. Not Using the Right Tone of Voice

• Mistake: Tone in Mandarin is crucial, and mispronouncing tones can change the meaning completely.
• Tip: Always pay attention to tones in greetings. For example, “马” (mǎ) means “horse” with the third tone, while “吗” (ma) is a question marker with the neutral tone. Mispronouncing could make your greeting sound like something entirely different.

FAQS on Chinese Greetings

How do you greet someone in Chinese?

Common Chinese greetings include “你好” (Nǐ hǎo) for “Hello” and “早安” (Zǎo’ān) for “Good morning.” In more informal settings, “嗨” (Hāi) or “哈喽” (Hā lóu) are popular. Chinese greetings often depend on the time of day and social context, with “晚安” (Wǎn’ān) used for “Good night.” Understanding the right greeting helps you make a good impression in greetings in China.

How do I reply to Ni Hao?

When someone greets you with “你好” (Nǐ hǎo), a simple and polite reply is “你好” (Nǐ hǎo) as well. You can also respond with “您好” (Nín hǎo) for a more respectful tone, especially when speaking to elders or superiors. It’s a friendly and common exchange in Chinese greetings, showing respect and politeness.

How to reply xie xie in Chinese?

The common reply to “谢谢” (Xièxiè) for “Thank you” is “不客气” (Bù kèqì), meaning “You’re welcome.” You can also say “没关系” (Méi guānxi), which means “No problem.” These are standard responses when showing gratitude in greetings in China, reflecting politeness and humility.

Conclusion

Mastering Chinese greetings is a crucial first step in building meaningful relationships and understanding Chinese culture. Whether you’re meeting someone for the first time, or wishing someone a happy holiday, the right greeting can leave a lasting impression. Keep practicing these phrases, and you’ll be speaking like a native in no time!

Ready to level up your Chinese skills? Join Wukong Education’s online courses today to dive deeper into Mandarin greetings and more chinese common verbs. The K and S series courses, which are designed to help children whose native language is not Chinese. These courses are specifically tailored for overseas learners with zero foundation in spoken and listening Chinese, aiming to cultivate their daily spoken and listening communication skills in Chinese.Learn at your own pace, and connect with a community of like-minded learners!