您好
nín hǎorespectful, formal
The respectful way to say "hello" in Chinese is 您好 (nín hǎo). It uses 您 (nín), the polite form of "you", and suits elders, teachers, customers and bosses. It is also called 你好 (nǐ hǎo) and 大家好 (dàjiā hǎo).
Meaning: polite greeting (interjection)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 您好 | nín hǎo | respectful, formal |
| 你好 | nǐ hǎo | neutral |
| 大家好 | dàjiā hǎo | to a group |
Use 您好 (nín hǎo) at the start of a meeting with someone older or higher in rank. You can add the title, as in 王老师，您好 (Wáng lǎoshī, nín hǎo), "Hello, Teacher Wang".
Which one should you use?
The usual greeting 你好 (nǐ hǎo) is polite enough with strangers your age. To a room of people, say 大家好 (dàjiā hǎo), which means "hello, everyone".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Bowing is not required. A slight nod and a smile are enough, and a handshake is common in business.
Did you know?
- The character 您 is 你 with a heart (心) underneath, and the heart is often explained as showing respect.
Examples in context
- 您好，请问您贵姓？nín hǎo, qǐngwèn nín guìxìng?Hello, may I ask your surname?
- 王老师，您好！Wáng lǎoshī, nín hǎo!Hello, Teacher Wang!
- 各位老师，大家好。gèwèi lǎoshī, dàjiā hǎo.Hello, all teachers.
Example conversation
Student Tao meets his professor Zhang at the department door.
- Tao张教授，您好！Zhāng jiàoshòu, nín hǎo!Hello, Professor Zhang!
- Zhang你好，小陶。nǐ hǎo, Xiǎo Táo.Hello, Tao.
- Tao您最近忙吗？nín zuìjìn máng ma?Have you been busy lately?
