Learn Chinese Greetings: How to Say Hello in Chinese
Learning how to say hello in Chinese is one of the best first steps for kids and beginners who want to start speaking Mandarin. In English, we often use one simple word, “you,” for almost everyone, but in Chinese greetings can change depending on who you are talking to. On this page, children and beginner learners will discover the difference between 你好 (nǐ hǎo), 您好 (nín hǎo), and 你们好 (nǐmen hǎo) through simple explanations, friendly examples, and visual learning activities.
Chinese greetings are more than just words. They help learners understand respect, politeness, and how people speak to one person, an older person, a teacher, or a group. This beginner-friendly lesson makes Mandarin Chinese easier to understand by comparing Chinese with English in a clear and fun way. Whether you are a parent, teacher, homeschooler, or young learner, this page will help you build a strong foundation in basic Chinese conversation and everyday greetings.
Simple Mandarin Greetings
Three Ways to Say Hello in Chinese
Tap each greeting to learn when to use it. This helps beginners understand why Chinese has different forms for one person, polite speech, and groups.
你好
Means: Hello
Use 你好 when you greet one person in a normal, friendly way. It is the most common Chinese greeting for beginners.
您好
Means: Hello, politely
Use 您好 when you want to be polite or respectful. It is useful when greeting a teacher, an older person, or someone you do not know well.
你们好
Means: Hello everyone / Hello you all
Use 你们好 when you greet more than one person. It helps learners understand that Chinese can show the difference between one person and a group.
Easy Comparison
Why Chinese Greetings Are Different
In English, “you” can mean one person or many people. In Chinese, the greeting can show who you are speaking to.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English Meaning | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 你好 | nǐ hǎo | Hello | One person, friendly greeting |
| 您好 | nín hǎo | Hello politely | Teacher, older person, respectful greeting |
| 你们好 | nǐmen hǎo | Hello everyone | Two or more people |
Hello. Use it for one person in a friendly way.
Hello politely. Use it for a teacher, older person, or visitor.
Hello everyone. Use it for two or more people.
Which Chinese Greeting Would You Use?
English uses “you” for one person, many people, and respectful situations. Chinese changes the greeting depending on who you are talking to.
Use for one person in a normal friendly way.
Use for two or more people.
Use to show respect to a teacher, elder, doctor, or principal.
Your classmate
You are saying hello to one friend at school.
Your teacher
You want to greet your teacher politely.
A group of friends
You are greeting several friends together.
Your grandfather
You want to greet him in a respectful way.
A new student
One new student joins your class.
Two brothers
You meet two brothers at the playground.
A doctor
You are greeting a doctor at the clinic.
Your cousin
You are saying hello to one cousin.
The whole class
You stand in front of the class and say hello.
The school principal
You meet the principal in the hallway.
Your parents
You are greeting your mother and father together.
An elderly neighbor
You want to greet an older neighbor politely.
A shop assistant
You greet one shop assistant in a simple friendly way.
Three teammates
You arrive at practice and greet three teammates.
A guest speaker
A visitor comes to your school to give a talk.
A teacher greets the students
The teacher walks into the classroom and says hello to all students.
Finish the quiz to see your result.
Answer all questions. The score card will update as you go.