Greetings in Chinese
This list gathers common Mandarin greetings and polite phrases for introductions, everyday chats, and farewells. It includes time-specific greetings, formal and casual forms, and simple questions or well-wishes to help you start and end conversations naturally.
- 你好 nǐ hǎo — A common greeting used when meeting someone; equivalent to 'hello' or 'hi'.
- 嗨 hāi — hey; hi! (loanword used as a casual greeting)
- 晚安 wǎnān — Good night! (used when parting at night or before going to sleep)
- 再见 zàijiàn — goodbye; see you again (used when parting)
- 久仰 jiǔyǎng — Honorific: 'I've long looked forward to meeting you.'; 'It's an honor to meet you at last.'
- 久违 jiǔwéi — (haven't done sth) for a long time; a long time since we last met
- 幸会 xìnghuì — Nice to meet you (polite greeting).
- 请问 qǐngwèn — Excuse me; may I ask... (polite phrase used to begin a question)
- 抱歉 bàoqiàn — to feel sorry; to apologize; to be apologetic
- 对不起 duìbuqǐ — I'm sorry (apology)
- 没关系 méiguānxi — It doesn't matter; no problem; that's OK
- 谢谢 xièxie — to thank; thanks; thank you
- 不客气 bùkèqi — you're welcome; don't mention it (polite reply to thanks)
- 马马虎虎 mǎmǎhūhū — so-so; not so bad; tolerable
- 不错 bùcuò — correct; right; not bad; pretty good
- 加油 jiāyóu — to refuel; to top up with gas; to accelerate; to step on the gas
- 保重 bǎozhòng — to take care of oneself; (used as a farewell) take care
- 恭喜 gōngxǐ — to congratulate; (interjection) "congratulations!"
- 平安 píngān — safe and sound; well; without mishap; quiet and safe; at peace
- 打招呼 dǎzhāohu — to greet somebody by word or action
- 握手 wòshǒu — to shake hands
- 微笑 wēixiào — a smile
- 问候 wènhòu — to send one's regards; to give one's respects; to convey greetings