Chinese Greetings + Tones
Mandarin Chinese greetings go far beyond the famous 你好 (nǐ hǎo). In China, how you greet someone signals your relationship, your respect level, and even the time of day. This guide covers the essential greetings with correct tones, characters, and the cultural context that textbooks often skip.
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The Basics — Saying Hello
Let’s start with the greetings every learner needs from day one. Pay close attention to the tones — they are not optional in Mandarin.
When two third tones appear in a row, like in 你好 (nǐ hǎo), the first one shifts to a second tone in natural speech. You actually say ní hǎo. This is called third tone sandhi and it happens automatically for native speakers.
Time-Based Greetings
Chinese has specific greetings for different parts of the day. These feel more natural than a flat 你好 in many situations, especially in formal or professional settings.
In casual settings, especially among colleagues or classmates, you might just hear a quick 早 (zǎo) in the morning. It works the same way “Morning!” does in English.
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Asking How Someone Is
In English, “How are you?” is almost reflexive. In Chinese, the equivalent is used less often with close friends but remains important in polite conversation.
In Chinese culture, a common casual greeting is 吃了吗？(chī le ma?) meaning "Have you eaten?" It is not a literal dinner invitation — it is simply a warm, traditional way to show you care. The typical reply is 吃了 (chī le) meaning "I have eaten."
Polite Expressions
These words pair perfectly with greetings and show good manners in any conversation.
Saying Goodbye
Chinese goodbyes range from the classic 再见 to more casual expressions you hear every day on the street.
拜拜 (báibái) is borrowed from English “bye-bye” and is extremely common among younger Chinese speakers, especially in texts and casual conversation. 再见 remains the standard for polite or professional contexts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it rude to just say 你好 (nǐ hǎo) in China?
Not rude, but it can sound a bit textbook. Among friends, Chinese people often greet each other with 吃了吗 (chī le ma) meaning "Have you eaten?" or simply nod and smile. 你好 is perfectly fine for strangers and formal situations.
What is the difference between 你好 and 您好?
您好 (nín hǎo) uses the respectful form of "you" (您 instead of 你). Use it with elders, bosses, customers, or anyone you want to show extra respect to. In everyday conversation with peers, 你好 is standard.
Do Chinese greetings change based on time of day?
Yes. 早上好 (zǎoshang hǎo) is used in the morning, 下午好 (xiàwǔ hǎo) in the afternoon, and 晚上好 (wǎnshang hǎo) in the evening. However, 你好 works at any time and is the safest default.
How do tones affect greetings?
Tones are critical. Saying nǐ hǎo with incorrect tones could confuse listeners or change the meaning entirely. The third tone (ǎ) dips down then rises. Practice the tone pairs: nǐ (third tone) + hǎo (third tone), where the first third tone actually shifts to a second tone in natural speech.
What does 再见 literally mean?
再见 (zài jiàn) literally means "again meet" — essentially "see you again." It is the standard, polite way to say goodbye in Mandarin Chinese and works in both formal and casual contexts.