Most beginners learn 你好 (nǐ hǎo) and stop there. In real life, Chinese speakers use a wider set of greetings depending on time of day, relationship, and formality. This guide gives you 20 high-frequency greetings you can use immediately.

Quick check: free HSK level test (2 min) · pinyin converter

Core greetings

Chinese Pinyin When to use
你好 nǐ hǎo Safe default “hello”
您好 nín hǎo Polite / to elders / service situations
早上好 zǎo shang hǎo Morning
下午好 xià wǔ hǎo Afternoon
晚上好 wǎn shang hǎo Evening
嗨 / 哈喽 hāi / hā lou Casual, often with friends

Everyday real-life openers

Chinese speakers often greet by commenting on context rather than saying “hello”:

Chinese Pinyin Meaning / use
你吃了吗？ nǐ chī le ma? “Have you eaten?” (friendly check-in)
最近怎么样？ zuì jìn zěn me yàng? “How have you been lately?”
忙什么呢？ máng shén me ne? “What are you busy with?”
好久不见 hǎo jiǔ bú jiàn “Long time no see”
在吗？ zài ma? “Are you there?” (chat opener)

Phone / message greetings

Chinese Pinyin Use
喂 wéi Answering a call
你好，请问… nǐ hǎo, qǐng wèn… Polite call/message start
打扰了 dǎ rǎo le “Sorry to bother you”
麻烦你了 má fan nǐ le Thanks for the trouble

Farewells (as important as hellos)

Chinese Pinyin Use
再见 zài jiàn Standard goodbye
拜拜 bái bái Casual bye
明天见 míng tiān jiàn See you tomorrow
保持联系 bǎo chí lián xì Stay in touch
慢走 màn zǒu “Take care” when guests leave
晚安 wǎn ān Good night

5-minute daily practice

  1. Say 5 greetings out loud with correct tones (use the tone pair trainer).
  2. Record yourself saying: 你好 / 最近怎么样 / 好久不见 / 再见 / 晚安.
  3. Reply drill: hear a greeting, answer with one natural response.
  4. Scene swap: practice the same line for friend / teacher / shop clerk.

Common beginner mistakes

  • Using only 你好 in every context (sounds textbook-y).
  • Ignoring tones on 你好 — wrong tones can make you hard to understand.
  • Forgetting time-based greetings (早上好 / 晚上好) which feel more natural.
  • Saying 再见 too formally with close friends (拜拜 is fine).

Next steps