你好，我是
nǐ hǎo, wǒ shì
The English phrase "hello, I am" is translated into Chinese as 你好，我是 (nǐ hǎo, wǒ shì).
This phrase is used to greet someone and introduce yourself. You can use it to state your identity, though a very common alternative is to use 我叫, which specifically means "I am called" to introduce your name.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 你好 (hello), 我 (I/me) and 是 (am/is/are).
Which one should you use?
While 我是 is used to state your identity, 我叫 is a very common alternative used specifically to introduce your name.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more polite or formal approach when addressing elders or those in higher positions, you can use 您好，我叫… In casual settings among friends or people of similar age, you can use the informal 嗨，我是… or the slightly more informal 你好啊，我叫…
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some areas, such as parts of Shanghai, 喂 is used as a greeting, often specifically when answering phone calls.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 是 does not change its form based on the subject, so it remains 是 whether you say "I am", "you are" or "he is".
How do you pronounce it?
nǐ hǎo, wǒ shì
Did you know?
- While 你好 is the standard greeting, in some regions people greet others by asking 你吃了吗? which means 'Have you eaten?' This functions as a social 'hello' rather than a literal inquiry about your meal.
- The word 是 (shì) acts like a mathematical equal sign, linking a subject to a noun, but it cannot be used to link an adjective to a noun directly.
- In many Chinese social contexts, introducing yourself with 我是 can sound overly direct. People often start by mentioning their role or their relationship to a mutual acquaintance to establish a social connection first.
Examples in context
- 你好，我是约翰。Hello, I am John.
- 您好，我叫安娜。Hello, I am Anna.
- 嗨，我是小明。Hi, I am Xiaoming.
- 你好啊，我叫莉莉。Hi, I am Lily.
- 喂，我是李华。Hello, I am Lihua.
- 你好，我是张先生。Nǐ hǎo, wǒ shì Zhāng xiānsheng.Hello, I am Mr. Zhang.
- 你好，我是新来的老师。Nǐ hǎo, wǒ shì xīn lái de lǎoshī.Hello, I am the new teacher.
- 你好，我是你的邻居。Nǐ hǎo, wǒ shì nǐ de línjū.Hello, I am your neighbor.
Example conversation
At a community gathering, a man introduces himself to a woman.
- 志强 Zhiqiang你好，我是志强。Nǐ hǎo, wǒ shì Zhìqiáng.Hello, I am Zhiqiang.
- 雨婷 Yuting你好，志强。我是雨婷。Nǐ hǎo, Zhìqiáng. Wǒ shì Yǔtíng.Hello, Zhiqiang. I am Yuting.
- 志强 Zhiqiang很高兴认识你，雨婷。Hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ, Yǔtíng.Nice to meet you, Yuting.
- 雨婷 Yuting我也很高兴认识你。Wǒ yě hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ.Nice to meet you too.
