Language/Mandarin-chinese/Vocabulary/Greeting
Mandarin is not only one of the most spoken languages globally but is also considered the language of the future! As a tonal language rich in history and culture, learning Mandarin opens up a window to understanding Chinese culture and its global influence.
Greeting Someone in Mandarin-Chinese[edit | edit source]
When visiting China, you'll encounter a variety of languages and dialects. However, Mandarin is the most widely spoken, especially in urban and many rural areas. Understanding basic greetings in Mandarin can significantly enhance your experience.
Common Greetings in Mandarin[edit | edit source]
- To greet anyone, regardless of gender: 你好 (nǐ hǎo) which means "Hello".
- For a casual greeting, similar to "Hi": 嗨 (hāi).
- A friendly way to ask someone's name: 你叫什么名字？(Nǐ jiào shénme míngzì?) which means "What's your name?".
Example Conversation[edit | edit source]
- Man
- 嗨，我是李芒。你叫什么名字？ (Hāi, wǒ shì Lǐ Máng. Nǐ jiào shénme míngzì?)
- "Hi, I'm Li Mang. What's your name?"
- Woman
- 我叫莉娜·李，很高兴认识你！ (Wǒ jiào Lìnà Lǐ, hěn gāoxìng rènshí nǐ!)
- "My name is Lina Li, pleased to meet you!"
Let's Review This Conversation![edit | edit source]
- 你好 (nǐ hǎo) = Hello
- 嗨 (hāi) = Hi
- 我是 (wǒ shì) = I am
- 你叫什么名字？ (nǐ jiào shénme míngzì?) = What's your name?
- 很高兴认识你！ (hěn gāoxìng rènshí nǐ!) = Pleased to meet you!
By mastering these simple phrases, you'll be well on your way to engaging in basic conversations and making connections during your travels or in your language learning journey. Remember, practice is key to becoming proficient in Mandarin!
Main Greetings[edit | edit source]
Here's a table of 15 common Mandarin greetings.
It includes the Mandarin characters, their Pinyin transliteration, and the English translation:
| Mandarin Character | Pinyin | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 你好 | nǐ hǎo | Hello |
| 早上好 | zǎo shàng hǎo | Good morning |
| 下午好 | xià wǔ hǎo | Good afternoon |
| 晚上好 | wǎn shàng hǎo | Good evening |
| 晚安 | wǎn ān | Good night |
| 再见 | zài jiàn | Goodbye |
| 谢谢 | xiè xiè | Thank you |
| 不客气 | bú kè qì | You're welcome |
| 对不起 | duì bù qǐ | I'm sorry |
| 没关系 | méi guān xi | It's okay |
| 请 | qǐng | Please |
| 您好 | nín hǎo | Hello (polite) |
| 嗨 | hāi | Hi |
| 怎么样？ | zěn me yàng? | How are you? |
| 很高兴认识你 | hěn gāo xìng rèn shí nǐ | Nice to meet you |