How to Say Hello in Chinese: 20 Greetings in Mandarin
When learning Chinese, one of the first questions that comes to mind is: “How do you say hello in Chinese?” or “How to say hi in Mandarin?” Most beginners know 你好 (nǐ hǎo), the standard “hello in Chinese,” but Mandarin is much richer and more flexible. Depending on the situation, who you’re talking to, and where you are, there are many ways to say hello in Mandarin Chinese—from formal to casual, polite to playful.
At RPL School, we teach students not only how to pronounce hello in Mandarin correctly, but also how to use it naturally in real-life contexts. Mastering greetings in the Chinese language is your first step to communicating effectively, showing respect, and understanding Chinese culture.
1. 20 Popular Ways to Say Hello in Chinese
Whether you want to greet a friend, meet a new colleague, or answer the phone, there’s always the right way to say hi in Chinese. Below is a table of 20 common greetings—perfect for anyone wondering how to say hello in Mandarin Chinese or what is the Chinese for hello.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Usage / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 你好 | nǐ hǎo | Hello in Chinese | Standard greeting |
| 您好 | nín hǎo | Hello (polite) | Respectful, formal |
| 你好吗? | nǐ hǎo ma? | How are you? | Friendly version of hello |
| 您好吗? | nín hǎo ma? | How are you? (polite) | For elders / formal |
| 你怎么样? | nǐ zěnmeyàng? | How’s it going? | Informal hi in Mandarin |
| 幸会 | xìnghuì | Nice to meet you | Formal Chinese hello |
| 久仰 | jiǔyǎng | Long admired you | Business or very formal |
| 久闻大名 | jiǔwén dàmíng | Heard of you | Polite, respectful |
| 你吃了吗? | nǐ chī le ma? | Have you eaten? | Cultural greeting |
| 好久不见 | hǎo jiǔ bú jiàn | Long time no see | Friendly Chinese hi |
| 哈罗 | hā luō | Hello | Borrowed English “hello in Mandarin” |
| 嗨 | hāi | Hi | Informal, youth slang |
| 嘿 | hēi | Hey | Casual hi in Chinese |
| 大家好 | dàjiā hǎo | Hello everyone | Addressing groups |
| 下午好 | xiàwǔ hǎo | Good afternoon | Time-specific hello |
| 晚上好 | wǎnshàng hǎo | Good evening | Formal or casual |
| 最近好吗? | zuìjìn hǎo ma? | How have you been? | Friendly check-in |
| 去哪儿? | qù nǎr? | Where are you going? | Casual hello in China |
| 喂 | wèi | Hello? | Used on the phone |
| 最近过得怎样呀? | zuìjìn guò dé zěnyàng ya? | How’s life? | Playful Chinese hi |
2. How to Pronounce Hello in Mandarin Chinese
Mandarin is tonal—tones change meanings! Saying “nihao” incorrectly might confuse people. Here’s how to pronounce the most common greetings in the Mandarin alphabet (Pinyin):
- 你好 (nǐ hǎo) → “nee how”
- 您好 (nín hǎo) → “neen how” (polite)
- 嗨 (hāi) → “hi” in Mandarin Chinese
- 哈罗 (hā luō) → “hello in Chinese Mandarin”
- 嘿 (hēi) → casual “hey”
If you’re asking how to write hello in Chinese, it’s simply 你好, literally meaning “you good.”
3. Cultural Insights: How Do You Say Hello in China?
- Time-based hellos: 早 (morning), 下午好 (afternoon), 晚上好 (evening).
- Respect: Use 您 (nín) for elders or teachers.
- Friendly concern: 你吃了吗? means “Have you eaten?” but is really like asking “How are you?”
- Phone calls: 喂 (wèi) is the standard “hello in China” for answering calls.
- Fun fact: 好久不见 (long time no see) was borrowed directly into English!
4. Practical Tips to Say Hello in Mandarin
- Match your greeting to the situation (formal vs casual).
- Use polite body language (smile, nod).
- Extend conversation after 你好: try 你最近怎么样?
- Practice daily to master hello in Mandarin Chinese language naturally.
5. Why Saying Hello in Chinese is Important
- Communicate politely and confidently.
- Build friendships in Chinese-speaking communities.
- Show respect in both casual and professional settings.
- Understand cultural nuance behind each Chinese hello.
At RPLSCHOOL, students practice real-life greetings so they can use Chinese hi naturally—online, in person, and in every conversation.
6. Fun & Modern Ways to Say Hi in Chinese
- 哈罗 (hā luō) → phonetic hello in Mandarin.
- 嗨 (hāi) → casual hi in Chinese.
- 嘿 (hēi) → playful Chinese hi.
These are widely used on social media and messaging apps—great if you want to sound modern when saying hello to Chinese friends.
7. Key Takeaways
- 20 ways to say hello in Chinese for every situation.
- Tones matter when saying nihao (你好).
- Context and politeness = just as important as words.
- Practice daily to master how to say hi in China and hello in Mandarin Chinese language.
Start practicing today! Whether it’s 你好, 嗨, or 哈罗, these greetings will help you say hello in China with confidence and open the door to new friendships, cultural insights, and opportunities.