Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: In Mandarin
• Method 2 of 3: Cantonese
• Method 3 of 3: Other dialects
• Tips

Usually in China they say “nǐ hǎo” or 你好 to say hello to the other person. Remember that there are many different dialects in China. Here's everything you need to know about Chinese greetings.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: In Mandarin

1. 1 Say "nǐ hǎo."This is the most common greeting in China.
   • Literally it translates as "you feel good."
   • In Chinese it is written like this 你好.
   • Pronounced like this: no HOW.
2. 2 A more formal version of this greeting: "nín hǎo." This greeting has the same meaning, but is used with older and higher ranking people.
   • This greeting is less popular than "nǐ hǎo."
   • It is written like this: 您好.
   • Pronounced like this: Ning hau.
3. 3 A group of people should be greeted with the words "nǐmén hǎo."Use this greeting if you are greeting several people at the same time.
   • The word "nǐmén" means "you."
   • It is written like this: 你们 好.
   • Pronounced like this: nimen how.
4. 4 They say "wéi."When someone calls you, say" wéi. "
   • Word wéi you can only talk on the phone.
   • It is written like this: 喂.
   • Pronounced like this: veii.

Method 2 of 3: Cantonese

1. 1 Say "néih hóu."This phrase is also used as a greeting.
   • This phrase is written in the same way as the previous one, in the Mandarin dialect: 你好.
   • Phrase néih hóu pronounced somewhat softer than Mandarin nǐ hǎo.
   • The phrase is pronounced like this: nii hou.
2. 2 They say "wái."This word is written and pronounced in almost the same way as in the Mandarin dialect.
   • It is written like this: 喂.
   • Pronounced like this: wai.

Method 3 of 3: Other dialects

1. 1 The best way is to say "nǐ hǎo". Everyone will understand this phrase.
   • In all dialects and dialects in China, this phrase is written like this: 你好.
   • The spelling of the phrase in Latin letters is different, depending on the adverb.
   • In the Hakka dialect in Latin letters, this phrase is written as follows: ngi ho. Chinese phrases are usually pronounced the way they are written in Latin letters.
   • In Shanghai dialect, this greeting is written like this: "nong hao."
2. 2 On the phone they say "oi" in the Hakka dialect.
   • Literally the word oi means "oh."
   • Is written oi like this: 噯.
   • Pronounced like this: Oh or ah.
3. 3 A group of people can be greeted with the words "dâka-hô" in the Shanghai dialect. This translates to "hello everyone."
   • It is written like this: 大家 好.
   • Pronounced like this: daka hao.

Tips

• There are many other Chinese dialects. We did not write about all dialects in our article.
• Find out exactly what language people speak before speaking to them. It is best to speak Mandarin, which is understood by the majority, especially in the north and south-east of the country. Cantonese is spoken in southern China, Hong Kong and Macau. Hakka is spoken in the south and in Taiwan. Shanghai is spoken in Shanghai.
• It is best to listen to the audio recording of the Chinese word first before speaking it.