When travelling in China, learning some simple words or sentences about how to greeting in Chinese will let you China tour more joyful.

When you are looking for a destination or a hotel in China, opening with “Ni Hao” and then you may get help from locals. Besides, there are many interesting short sentences can help you to go smoothly during your China experience.

The following form lists some daily frequent used Chinese greeting sentences for your reference:

Sentences for beginning a talk

English Greetings

Chinese Greetings

Chinese Characters

Hi

Ni Hao

你好

Good morning

Zao Shang Hao

早上好/早

Good afternoon

Xia Wu Hao

下午好/午安

Good evening

Wan Shang Hao

晚上好

Note: in Chinese, “hi” can be understood by most Chinese, so it is a multi-functional word to begin a talk such as asking road or some helps.

Sentences for beginning friends’ talks

English Greetings

Chinese Greetings

Chinese Characters

Hi

Ni Hao

你好

How are you

Ni Hao Ma

你好吗

Welcome to China

Huan Ying Lai Zhong Guo

欢迎来中国

Hey! Friends!

Hai! Peng You!

嗨！朋友！

Long time no see

Hao Jiu Bu Jian

好久不见

Notes:

When you have friends in China, you can use about sentences to begin your talking.

“Long time no see” is used for greeting to the person who has already been your friend for a long time.

Sentences for using in some normal situation:

English Greetings

Chinese Greetings

Chinese Characters

Excuse me

Da Rao Yi Xia/Jie Guo

打扰一下/借过

Thank you

Xie Xie

谢谢

You’re welcome

Bu Yong Xie

不用谢

Sorry

Bu Hao Yi Si/Dui Bu Qi

不好意思/对不起

See you/Good bye

Zai Jian

再见

No

Bu Yao

不要

Notes:

The above sentences can be widely used during so many situations, such as

When you want to walk through the crowded people, you can say “Jie Guo (借过)”

When you step or interrupt others unconsciously, you can say “Bu Hao Yi Si (不好意思)”

When you are push to do something you dislike, you can say “Bu Yao (不要)”