by PushtoLearn
How to Say ‘Hello’ in 15 Different Languages 🌍👋
Table of Contents
Greetings vary from formal to informal, depending on the situation. Some cultures use handshakes, others prefer bows, and some greet with kisses on the cheek. But no matter where you go, knowing how to say "hello" in different languages is a great way to start a conversation and show respect.
15 Ways to Say ‘Hello’ Around the World
|
Language |
Formal Greeting |
Informal Greeting |
|
French |
Bonjour |
Salut |
|
Spanish |
Hola |
¿Qué tal? |
|
German |
Guten Tag |
Hallo |
|
Italian |
Salve |
Ciao |
|
Portuguese |
Olá |
Oi |
|
Russian |
Zdravstvuyte (Здравствуйте) |
Privet (Привет) |
|
Mandarin Chinese |
Nǐn hǎo (您好) |
Nǐ hǎo (你好) |
|
Japanese |
Konnichiwa (こんにちは) |
Yā (やあ), Yō (よう) |
|
Korean |
Annyeong haseyo (안녕하세요) |
Annyeong (안녕) |
|
Turkish |
Merhaba |
Selam |
|
Swedish |
God dag |
Hej, Tjena |
|
Dutch |
Goedendag |
Hoi, Hallo |
|
Polish |
Dzień dobry |
Cześć, Witaj |
|
Arabic |
As-salamu alaykum (السلام عليكم) |
Ahlan (أهلا) |
|
Hindi |
Namaste, Namaskar (नमस्ते, नमस्कार) |
Helo, Hai (हेलो, हाई) |
(Note: Some languages, like Mandarin, Japanese, and Arabic, have multiple levels of politeness depending on the context.)
More Ways to Greet People Around the World
Saying "hello" is more than just words—it’s also about body language and cultural etiquette. Here are some common ways people greet each other in different cultures:
-
Handshake 🤝 – Used in business settings worldwide.
-
Bows 🙇♂️ – Common in Japan and South Korea.
-
Cheek Kisses 😘 – Popular in France, Spain, Italy, and Latin America.
-
Hand over Heart ❤️ – A sign of respect in many Middle Eastern cultures.
Why Learn Multiple Ways to Say Hello?
✅ Break the ice – A warm greeting makes people feel comfortable.
✅ Show respect – Using the right greeting can help you make a great first impression.
✅ Enhance your travel experience – Locals appreciate when you greet them in their language.
✅ Boost your language learning – Knowing greetings helps you feel more confident in conversations.
FAQ
What is the most common way to say hello?
"Hello" in English and "Hola" in Spanish are among the most widely recognized greetings worldwide.
What is the friendliest greeting?
Informal greetings like "Ciao" (Italian), "Salut" (French), and "Tjena" (Swedish) sound warm and friendly.
Which languages have different greetings based on formality?
Languages like Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, and Arabic have formal and informal versions of "hello" depending on politeness levels.
How do you greet someone in a professional setting?
Use formal greetings like Bonjour (French), Guten Tag (German), or Zdravstvuyte (Russian) in business or official interactions.
What’s the best way to remember different greetings?
Practice by greeting friends in different languages, use language-learning apps, or watch movies in different languages to hear greetings in context.
