Formal:
* 您好 (nǐ hǎo): This is the most common and polite way to greet someone, similar to "Hello" or "Good day" in English. It can be used for anyone, regardless of age or social status.
* 早上好 (zǎo shang hǎo): This means "Good morning" and is used in the morning.
* 下午好 (xià wǔ hǎo): This means "Good afternoon" and is used in the afternoon.
* 晚上好 (wǎn shang hǎo): This means "Good evening" and is used in the evening.
Informal:
* 你好 (nǐ hǎo): This is a more casual way to say hello and is often used with friends and family.
* 嗨 (hài): This is a very informal way to say hello, similar to "Hi" in English.
* 喂 (wèi): This is used when answering the phone and is similar to "Hello" in English.
Other Greetings:
* 好久不见 (hǎo jiǔ bù jiàn): This means "Long time no see" and is used when you haven't seen someone in a while.
* 最近怎么样 (zuì jìn zěn me yàng): This means "How are you doing?" and is a friendly way to ask someone how they are.
Important Note:
* Chinese is a tonal language, meaning the pronunciation of a word can change its meaning depending on the tone. It's important to learn the correct tones to avoid misunderstandings.
* It's also important to be aware of social customs when greeting someone in China. For example, it's common to shake hands with people you meet for the first time, but you should avoid physical contact with strangers, especially of the opposite sex.