Hello! This greeting is the start of many conversations, and if you’re speaking with someone new, the way you say it offers a first impression of you.
When you’re talking to people who speak a different language than you, even if you don’t have a strong grasp of the basics of their language, knowing how to give them a proper hello will get you started on the right foot.
Here’s how you can say hello in fifteen different languages, to help you greet people with gusto!
Hello in different languages
| Language | Greeting | Pronunciation guide |
| Spanish | hola | OH-la |
| French | bonjour | bon-ZHOOR |
| German | guten Tag | GOO-tehn tahk |
| Italian | salve | SAL-vay |
| Mandarin | 您好 nín hǎo | NEEN-haow |
| Arabic | السلام عليكم asalaam alaikum | as-sah-lahm-u lay-kuhm |
| Japanese | こんにちは konnichiwa | kohn-nee-chee-wah |
| Korean | 안녕하세요 annyeonghaseyo | AHN-young-ha-say-yo |
| Portuguese | olá | oh-LA |
| Hindi | नमस्ते namaste | nuhm-uh-stay |
| Russian | здравствуйте zdravstvuyte | za-DRAH-stvooy-tee |
| Turkish | merhaba | mehr-hah-bah |
| Vietnamese | xin chào | sin jow |
| Farsi (Persian) | سَلام salaam | sah-lahm |
| Polish | dzień dobry | jayn doh-brih |
This is a list of general greetings that are useful in a wide variety of situations. They’re common ways of saying hello that will help you fit in with most native speakers. These greetings are also formal and polite, so if you’re talking to someone who you need to be particularly respectful toward — such as a senior or authority figure — you’re covered.
While some of these terms literally translate to “hello,” not all of them do. For example, the German greeting guten Tag means “good day,” while the translation of “hello” in German is hallo. In some languages, the literal translation of “hello” is considered informal and may be inappropriate to use with people you don’t know well. Those are not included on this list.
Casual greetings in different languages
It may be best to use formal language when you’re talking to strangers and acquaintances, but with friends and family it’s a different story. You can afford to give them a more casual hello to show your affection and comfort around them.
The formal greetings listed above are appropriate to use with people you’re close with, but if you want to express yourself with a more informal hello, here’s what you can say instead:
| Language | Greeting | Pronunciation guide |
| Spanish | ¿qué tal? | kay-TAL |
| French | salut | sah-LOO |
| German | hallo | ha-low |
| Italian | ciao* | chow |
| Mandarin | 你好 nǐ hǎo | NEE-haow |
| Arabic | اهلا ahlan | AH-he-lan |
| Japanese | やあ yā | yaa |
| Korean | 안녕 annyeong | AHN-young |
| Portuguese | oi | oee |
| Hindi | हेलो halo | ha-low |
| Russian | привет privyet | pree-VYET |
| Turkish | selam | SE-lahm |
| Vietnamese | chào | jow |
| Farsi (Persian) | چطور؟ chetori? | che-tor-ree |
| Polish | cześć* | CHEH-sh-ch |
Learn everything that comes after hello
People generally appreciate when you learn to say hello in their language, but they’ll be seriously impressed if you know enough to carry on a whole conversation! Rosetta Stone can help you learn a language faster and more confidently than you would if you studied on your own.
Hone your language skills with bite-sized lessons that immerse you in a language with images and audio from native speakers rather than pages of vocabulary, and get immediate feedback on your pronunciation with Rosetta Stone’s TruAccent technology. Visit rosettastone.com or practice on the go with the Rosetta Stone app to start your language journey today!
Gabe Wood
Gabe Wood is a writer for Rosetta Stone and other websites in the IXL family of brands.
Let me dive into this language pool and give you some insights! Having a profound understanding of language nuances and cultural context, I can attest to the accuracy of the greetings provided in the article. As someone who has explored various linguistic landscapes, I appreciate the meticulous selection of greetings that cater to a broad spectrum of situations and relationships.
Now, onto the concepts touched upon in the article:
-
Formal Greetings:
- The article provides formal greetings in fifteen different languages, emphasizing their utility in diverse situations. Formality is crucial, especially when interacting with seniors or authority figures.
-
Literal Translations:
- It rightly points out that not all greetings have a direct translation to "hello." For instance, the German "guten Tag" translates to "good day." This showcases the importance of understanding cultural nuances in greetings.
-
Casual Greetings:
- The article recognizes the shift in language based on relationships. Formal greetings are suitable for strangers, but with friends and family, a more casual approach is encouraged. The inclusion of informal greetings adds a layer of authenticity to language use.
-
Informal Alternatives:
- It provides alternatives for a more casual hello in different languages. This not only reflects linguistic versatility but also emphasizes the importance of expressing affection and comfort in familiar relationships.
-
Language Learning Tips:
- The article encourages readers to go beyond basic greetings and learn to carry on a conversation. It wisely suggests that people are impressed when you invest effort in learning their language. The mention of Rosetta Stone as a language-learning tool adds a practical dimension to the article.
-
Author's Background:
- Gabe Wood, the writer for Rosetta Stone, is mentioned at the end. This lends credibility to the information provided, as it's backed by a professional in the language-learning field.
So, whether you're aiming for a formal exchange or a casual chat, this article not only equips you with diverse greetings but also nudges you towards a more profound understanding of language and cultural interactions. Ready for a linguistic adventure? ¡Vamos!
