Hello in Different Languages: How to Greet People Worldwide

"Hello" is the most common word in any language—but every language has its own way to greet. Here are the essential greetings you'll use when meeting people around the world.

European Languages

Spanish

• Hola — Hello (most common)
• Buenos días — Good morning
• Buenas tardes — Good afternoon

French

• Bonjour — Hello/Good day (formal)
• Salut — Hi (informal)
• Bonsoir — Good evening

German

• Hallo — Hello
• Guten Tag — Good day
• Guten Morgen — Good morning

Italian

• Ciao — Hello/Hi/Bye (versatile!)
• Salve — Hello (formal)
• Buongiorno — Good morning

Asian Languages

Mandarin Chinese

• 你好 (Nǐ hǎo) — Hello
• 您好 (Nín hǎo) — Hello (formal)

Japanese

• こんにちは (Konnichiwa) — Hello (afternoon)
• おはよう (Ohayō) — Good morning
• こんばんは (Konbanwa) — Good evening

Korean

• 안녕하세요 (Annyeonghaseyo) — Hello (formal)
• 안녕 (Annyeong) — Hi (informal)

Other Languages

Portuguese

• Olá — Hello
• Oi — Hi (casual)
• Bom dia — Good morning

Arabic

• السلام عليكم (As-salamu alaykum) — Peace be upon you
• مرحبا (Marhaba) — Hello

Russian

• Привет (Privet) — Hi (informal)
• Здравствуйте (Zdravstvuyte) — Hello (formal)

Cultural Tips

Formality Matters

• Some languages have formal/informal forms (tu/vous in French)
• When in doubt, use the formal version
• Pay attention to context

Time of Day

• Many languages have time-specific greetings
• "Good morning" vs "Good evening" matters in some cultures

Quick Practice Tips

1. Learn 2-3 greetings per language you're interested in
2. Practice pronunciation (some sounds are unique)
3. Use them in real conversations

Start Greeting Worldwide

The best way to learn greetings is through practice. Use them in real conversations, get feedback on pronunciation, and watch your confidence grow. Try Parlai and practice greetings in the language you're learning, available 24/7.