How to Say “Hello” in Chinese (And Mean It!)
Saying hello in Chinese is more than just words it’s about showing kindness and respect! For kids learning Mandarin, greetings are a fun and friendly way to start using the language every day.
The Basics: 你好 (Nǐ hǎo)
The most common way to say hello in Mandarin is 你好 (Nǐ hǎo). It literally means “You good.”
- 你 (nǐ) = you
- 好 (hǎo) = good
Put them together and you get a polite, simple greeting: Hello!
Kids can use this greeting with friends, teachers, and new people they meet. It’s friendly and respectful at the same time.
Other Fun Greetings
Mandarin has other ways to say hello depending on the situation:
- 早上好 (zǎo shang hǎo) – Good morning
- 下午好 (xià wǔ hǎo) – Good afternoon
- 晚上好 (wǎn shàng hǎo) – Good evening
- 喂 (wèi) – Hello on the phone
Dinolingo’s Chinese course is perfect for children ages 2–14. Through animated videos, interactive games, and songs, kids hear greetings in real conversations and get to repeat them in a fun setting.
The course works on web, iOS, and Android and includes printable materials like greeting cards and flashcards for offline play too.
Creative Activities to Try
Greeting Puppet Show
Make two paper puppets and let your child use them to say hello in Chinese—“你好!” Try it with different voices or times of day.
Hello Around the House
Label doors or rooms with “你好” and other greetings. Make it a challenge to say hello in Chinese every time you enter!
When kids learn to say “hello” in Mandarin, they take their first step toward connecting with the language and its culture with a big, confident smile.
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