_Meeting people

It is very important to use the appropriate form of greeting in China. As with other cultures, the way that you greet somebody will depend on whether you know them or whether they are a stranger. The most common greeting is: 你好 (nǐ hǎo) or 您好 (nín hǎo)

The form 您好 (nín hǎo) is more formal and should be used when you want to show particular respect.

Chinese people show great respect for the wisdom and experience of their elders.

The senior people present will usually initiate the greetings, and you should greet the oldest, most senior person before any others.

Some typical gretings:

你好! (nǐ hǎo) Hello!

嗨! (hāi) Hi!

喂! (wèi) Hello! (usually on the phone)

早上好! (zǎoshang hǎo) Good morning!

早! (zǎo) Morning!

最近身体怎么样? (zùijìn shēntǐ zěnmeyàng) How have you been?

还不错，谢谢 (hái bùcuò, xièxie) Fine, thanks.

好久不见! 最近还好吗？(hǎojiǔ bù jiàn! zuìjìn hái hǎo ma?) Long time no see! How are you doing?

很好，谢谢，你怎么样？(hěn hǎo, xièxie, nǐ zěnmeyàng) Very well, thank you, and you?

挺好的，多谢。(tǐng hǎo de, duōxiè) Fine, thanks.

棒极了! (bàng jí le) Great!

一般。(yībān) So-so.