🇨🇳 Chinese phrases

How to Say "Hi" in Chinese

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
你好
"Hi" in Chinese · say it like nee-how

The most natural way to say "Hi" in Chinese is 你好. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

您好
more formal, often used to show respect
casual, often used among friends

When to use it

You can use 你好 in almost any situation to greet someone. It is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. Use 您好 when addressing someone older or in a professional setting to show respect. For casual situations, especially among friends, you can use 嗨.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "Hi" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Chinese

ChineseEnglish
你好,今天过得怎么样?Hello, how is your day going?
Common mistake
Some learners may confuse 你好 with 你好吗, which is more specific and asks how someone is doing.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear 你好, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Chinese with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use 你好 at any time?

Yes, 你好 is a versatile greeting suitable for most situations.

Learn Chinese by speaking it

Two free conversations. No card needed.