Learn Chinese: Greeting
This page contains a collection of words related to greetings in Chinese. Ideal for beginners.
下午好 (xiàwǔ hǎo)
Good afternoon
The Chinese word '下午好' is usually used as a polite greeting during noon or afternoon time. It's equivalent to the English phrase 'Good Afternoon'. It's used when you meet someone for the first time in the day during the afternoon, or when starting a conversation in the afternoon.
什么波 (shénme bō)
What wave
In Chinese, '什么波' (shénme bō) translates directly to 'what wave'. It is not a common phrase in Chinese but it can be used to ask 'what kind of wave?' In the context of a conversation, the speakers would be expected to understand the meaning based on the topic they are discussing. The usage could vary widely based on context.
你好 (nǐ hǎo)
Hello
The Chinese word '你好' is widely used in Mandarin speaking areas to greet others. It literally translates to 'you good' in English, conveying a sense of wishing well for the other person. It is considered polite and is appropriate to use at any time of day and in any situation, and can be used whether you're greeting one person or a group.
你好吗 (nǐ hǎo ma)
What's up?
你好吗 is a casual way to ask 'what's up?' in Chinese. It is generally used among friends to inquire about each other's wellbeing or to start a conversation. It does not require a literal answer about what is happening, but it instead invites the other person to share any important or interesting news about their lives.
你好吗？ (Nǐ hǎo ma?)
How are you?
你好吗？or 'Nǐ hǎo ma?' is a common way to greet someone in Chinese, especially those you are familiar with. It directly translates to 'you good?' or 'are you well?'. You can use it in both formal and informal situations, similar to 'how are you?' in English. But keep in mind, in China, this question is more often used when the asker really wants to know about the other person's well-being, not as a casual greeting like in English.
很高兴认识你 (hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ)
Nice to meet you
The phrase '很高兴认识你' in Chinese is a common greeting used when you meet someone for the first time. It's the equivalent of saying 'Nice to meet you' in English and is typically followed by a handshake or nod, depending on the level of formality.
早安 (zǎo ān)
Good morning
The common greeting 'good morning' has been translated to Chinese as '早安'. This term is used in the morning to greet others. The characters '早' means 'early' and '安' means 'peace' wishing a peaceful morning to others.
晚安 (wǎn'ān)
Good night
The Chinese word '晚安' is commonly used as a greeting before bedtime or when leaving a group during the evening. It is directly equivalent to the English phrase 'good night'. This word signifies wishing someone a peaceful and quiet night.
欢迎 (huān yíng)
welcome
The Chinese word '欢迎' is used in contexts similar to the English 'welcome.' It is often used as a warm greeting to invite guests or newcomers. For instance, '欢迎你来到中国' means 'Welcome to China.'
看一看 (kàn yī kàn)
Check it out
The Chinese phrase '看一看' corresponds to 'check it out' in English. This phrase is commonly used when you want someone to look or pay attention to something. It's usually used in informal contexts and is appropriate to use with friends and peers.