\tThe first step to starting a conversation in Mandarin Chinese is to say "hello!" Learn how to greet people in Mandarin Chinese with the help of audio files to ensure your pronunciation is correct. Audio links are marked with \u25ba.<\/p>\n
\tCHARACTERS
\tThe Chinese phrase for "hello" is made of two characters: \u4f60\u597d \u25ban\u01d0\u0090 h\u01ceo. The first character \u4f60 (n\u01d0) means "you." The second character \u597d (h\u01ceo) means "good". Thus, the literal translation of \u4f60\u597d (n\u01d0 h\u01ceo) is "you good".<\/p>\n
\t <\/p>\n
\tPRONUNCIATION
\tNote that Mandarin Chinese uses four tones. The tones used in \u4f60\u597d are two third tones. When 2 first tone characters are placed next to each other, the tones slightly change. The first character is pronounced as a rising tone second tone, while the second character shifts into a low, dipping tone.<\/p>\n
\tTake another listen, and read more about tone changes.<\/p>\n
\tINFORMAL VS FORMAL USE
\t\u4f60 (\u01d0) is the informal form of "you" and is used for greeting friends and associates. The formal "you" is \u60a8 (nín). Thus, the formal form of "hello" is \u25banín h\u01ceo – \u60a8\u597d.<\/p>\n
\t\u60a8\u597d(nín h\u01ceo) is used when speaking to superiors, people in authority, and elders.<\/p>\n
\tThe more casual \u4f60\u597d (n\u01d0 h\u01ceo) should be used when speaking to friends, colleagues, and children.<\/p>\n
\tCHINA & TAIWAN
\tThe use of \u60a8\u597d (nín h\u01ceo) is more common in Mainland China than in Taiwan. The informal \u4f60\u597d (n\u01d0 h\u01ceo) is the most common greeting in Taiwan, no matter what the rank of the person you are addressing.<\/p>\n
\tYou may also be wondering why there are two Chinese written versions of this phrase: \u4f60\u597d\u55ce and \u4f60\u597d\u5417. The first version is in traditional characters which are used in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and many overseas Chinese communities. The second version is simplified characters, the official writing system in Mainland China, Singapore, and Malaysia.<\/p>\n
\t"HOW ARE YOU?"
\tYou can extend \u4f60\u597d (n\u01d0 h\u01ceo) by adding the question particle \u55ce \/ \u5417 \u25bama. The question particle \u55ce (traditional form) \/ \u5417 (simplified form) can be added to the end of sentences and phrases to change them from statements into questions.<\/p>\n
\tThe literal translation of \u4f60\u597d\u55ce? \/ \u4f60\u597d\u5417 (n\u01d0 h\u01ceo ma)? is "you good?", which means "how are you?" This greeting should only be said to close friends or family members. It is not a common greeting for associates or strangers.<\/p>\n
\tThe answer to \u4f60\u597d\u55ce \/ \u4f60\u597d\u5417 (n\u01d0 h\u01ceo ma)? can be:<\/p>\n
\th\u011bn h\u01ceo – \u5f88\u597d – very good
\tbù h\u01ceo – \u4e0d\u597d – not good
\thái h\u01ceo – \u9084\u597d \/ \u8fd8\u597d – so so <\/p>\n