How to Say Hi in Chinese

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Use "nǐ chī le ma" ("have you eaten?")

   as a friendly greeting.
   
   This way of saying hello can seem a little bizarre to English speakers, but it's seen as a kind way to greet someone in Chinese.
   
   The rough English equivalent is "how are you doing?" This is not necessarily an invitation to get a meal with someone.
   
   This phrase is pronounced "knee chill-uh mah." The final syllable rhymes with "raw." The "chill-uh" is pronounced at a slightly higher tone than the other two syllables, like this: "kneechill-uhmah." This isn't pronounced like a question in English — it doesn't "go up" at the end.
   
   In Chinese, this phrase is written "你吃了吗." If someone says this to you, you can respond with "chī le, nǐ ne" ("吃了你呢"), pronounced "chill-uh, knee-nuh." This means "I've eaten, how about you?"
2. 2

   Step 2: Use "zuì jìn hào mǎ" for "how are things going?"

   This is a great way to greet someone you haven't seen in a few days.
   
   Just like in English, the person you're talking to can respond with as long of reply as she or he wishes.
   
   You may get a short, vague answer or a long, detailed one — it depends how your friend is feeling.This phrase is pronounced "zwee-jeen how-mah." The "zuì" almost rhymes with "Louie," but the "oo" is very short.
   
   The n in the second syllable is very light — almost silent.
   
   The final two syllables are pronounced as written.
   
   In Chinese, this phrase is written "最近好吗."
   
   Just like the Japanese say "moshi moshi" and Spanish speakers say "diga," the Chinese have their own special way of answering the telephone.
   
   This one is very simple: it's just one syllable.
   
   Pronounce this almost like the way you'd say the English word "way." Again, you're not asking a question like you would in English here — don't raise your pitch at the end of the word.
   
   Say it with a normal, descending tone.
   
   In Chinese, this word is written "喂."
   
   This greeting doesn't come across as rude as its English translation might suggest.
   
   Here, you are basically showing your respect by expressing mild interest in the person's day-to-day life.
   
   A closer English equivalent might be "What are you up to?" This phrase is pronounced "chih narr." The first syllable uses a sound that's almost like a combination of the English i and u sounds.
   
   The second is held a little bit longer than might seem natural — it's almost like "nah-er" with no break in between.
   
   In Chinese, this phrase is written "去哪儿."
   
   This is the sort of greeting you'd use when you're meeting an old friend you haven't seen in a long time.
   
   It comes across as very warm and affectionate.This phrase is pronounced "how jyoo boo-jyin." The "jy" sounds are tricky — it's almost like there's a very short "ee" sound in the second and fourth syllables.
   
   Again, the n sound at the end of the phrase is very delicate.
3. 3

   Step 3: Use "wèi" to say hello on the phone.

4. 4

   Step 4: Use "qù nǎ'er" for "where are you going?"

5. 5

   Step 5: Use "hǎo jiǔ bú jiàn" for "long time no see!"

Detailed Guide

About the Author