{"id":19776,"date":"2023-12-14T10:44:02","date_gmt":"2023-12-14T02:44:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wukongsch.com\/blog\/?p=19776"},"modified":"2026-07-30T16:51:41","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T08:51:41","slug":"simple-7-ways-to-say-hi-in-chinese-formal-informal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wukongsch.com\/blog\/simple-7-ways-to-say-hi-in-chinese-formal-informal-post-19776\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Ways to Say Hi in Chinese [Formal & Informal] with Pinyin & Pronunciation (HSK 1)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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To say \u201chi\u201d in Chinese, use \u4f60\u597d (n\u01d0 h\u01ceo) \u2014 it works for anyone, anywhere. But Chinese has 7 common greetings for different situations. Use \u60a8\u597d (n\u00edn h\u01ceo) for elders and bosses. Use \u55e8 (h\u0101i) with friends. Use \u5582 (w\u00e9i) for phone calls. Use \u65e9\u4e0a\u597d (z\u01ceoshang h\u01ceo) in the morning. Use \u5927\u5bb6\u597d (d\u00e0ji\u0101 h\u01ceo) for groups. Use \u4f60\u4eec\u597d (n\u01d0men h\u01ceo) for two or more people. All 7 are HSK 1 level. This guide gives you pinyin, tone marks, pronunciation tips, and simple examples for each.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Quick Tip: Chinese is a tonal language. The same syllable with different tones means different things. Don\u2019t worry \u2014 we guide you through each one.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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<\/span>Part 1: 7 Ways to Say Hi in Chinese \u2014 with Pinyin & Tones<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Chinese<\/td>Pinyin (with Tones)<\/td>English<\/td>Formality<\/td>When to Use<\/td><\/tr>
\u4f60\u597d<\/td>n\u01d0 h\u01ceo<\/td>Hello \/ Hi<\/td>Neutral<\/td>Anyone, anytime (most common)<\/td><\/tr>
\u60a8\u597d<\/td>n\u00edn h\u01ceo<\/td>Hello (polite)<\/td>Formal<\/td>Elders, teachers, bosses, customers<\/td><\/tr>
\u55e8<\/td>h\u0101i<\/td>Hi<\/td>Informal<\/td>Friends, peers, casual settings<\/td><\/tr>
\u5582<\/td>w\u00e9i<\/td>Hello (phone)<\/td>Neutral<\/td>Answering phone calls<\/td><\/tr>
\u65e9\u4e0a\u597d \/ \u65e9<\/td>z\u01ceoshang h\u01ceo \/ z\u01ceo<\/td>Good morning<\/td>Neutral \/ Informal<\/td>Morning greetings<\/td><\/tr>
\u5927\u5bb6\u597d<\/td>d\u00e0ji\u0101 h\u01ceo<\/td>Hello everyone<\/td>Neutral<\/td>Greeting a group<\/td><\/tr>
\u4f60\u4eec\u597d<\/td>n\u01d0men h\u01ceo<\/td>Hello (plural)<\/td>Neutral<\/td>Greeting 2+ specific people<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

1. \u4f60\u597d (n\u01d0 h\u01ceo) \u2014 \u201cnee how\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u9879\u76ee<\/td>\u5185\u5bb9<\/td><\/tr>
Pinyin<\/td>n\u01d0 h\u01ceo (tone 3 + tone 3)<\/td><\/tr>
English<\/td>Hello \/ Hi<\/td><\/tr>
Formality<\/td>Neutral<\/td><\/tr>
Use with<\/td>Anyone \u2014 strangers, friends, colleagues<\/td><\/tr>
Example<\/td>\u4f60\u597d\uff01\u6211\u53eb\u5c0f\u660e\u3002(N\u01d0 h\u01ceo! W\u01d2 ji\u00e0o Xi\u01ceo M\u00edng.) \u2014 \u201cHi! My name is Xiaoming.\u201d<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n
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\"hello\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

\ud83d\udd0a Listen: <\/p>\n\n\n\n