Greeting in Chinese
When travelling in China, learning some simple words or sentences about how to greeting in Chinese will let you China tour more joyful.
When you are looking for a destination or a hotel in China, opening with “Ni Hao” and then you may get help from locals. Besides, there are many interesting short sentences can help you to go smoothly during your China experience.
The following form lists some daily frequent used Chinese greeting sentences for your reference:
Sentences for beginning a talk
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English Greetings
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Chinese Greetings
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Chinese Characters
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Hi
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Ni Hao
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你好
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Good morning
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Zao Shang Hao
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早上好/早
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Good afternoon
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Xia Wu Hao
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下午好/午安
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Good evening
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Wan Shang Hao
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晚上好
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Note: in Chinese, “hi” can be understood by most Chinese, so it is a multi-functional word to begin a talk such as asking road or some helps.
Sentences for beginning friends’ talks
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English Greetings
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Chinese Greetings
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Chinese Characters
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Hi
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Ni Hao
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你好
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How are you
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Ni Hao Ma
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你好吗
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Welcome to China
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Huan Ying Lai Zhong Guo
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欢迎来中国
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Hey! Friends!
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Hai! Peng You!
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嗨！朋友！
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Long time no see
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Hao Jiu Bu Jian
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好久不见
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Notes:
When you have friends in China, you can use about sentences to begin your talking.
“Long time no see” is used for greeting to the person who has already been your friend for a long time.
Sentences for using in some normal situation:
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English Greetings
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Chinese Greetings
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Chinese Characters
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Excuse me
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Da Rao Yi Xia/Jie Guo
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打扰一下/借过
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Thank you
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Xie Xie
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谢谢
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You’re welcome
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Bu Yong Xie
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不用谢
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Sorry
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Bu Hao Yi Si/Dui Bu Qi
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不好意思/对不起
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See you/Good bye
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Zai Jian
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再见
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No
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Bu Yao
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不要
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Notes:
The above sentences can be widely used during so many situations, such as
When you want to walk through the crowded people, you can say “Jie Guo (借过)”
When you step or interrupt others unconsciously, you can say “Bu Hao Yi Si (不好意思)”
When you are push to do something you dislike, you can say “Bu Yao (不要)”
A special sentence for greeting friends in China – Ni Chi Le Ma
Ni Chi Le Ma
Chinese characters: 你吃了吗
In English: Do you have the meal
“Ni Chi Le Ma” is a very very traditional greeting between friends in China. This sentence is just like “how are you” in English. No need to have the exact answer, just a way to say hello to neighbours, friends, relatives, or even the vendors who can be seen on every day.
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