Formal:
* 你好 (nǐ hǎo): This is the most common and polite way to say "hello" in Mandarin. It literally means "you good."
* 您好 (nín hǎo): This is a more formal version of "你好," used when addressing someone older or in a position of authority.
Informal:
* 嗨 (hāi): This is a more casual way to say "hi," similar to "hey" in English.
* 你好 (nǐ hǎo): You can also use "你好" in informal settings.
* 哈喽 (hā lōu): This is a more recent borrowing from English and is very casual.
In addition to these, there are also more specific greetings depending on the time of day:
* 早上好 (zǎo shàng hǎo): Good morning
* 下午好 (xià wǔ hǎo): Good afternoon
* 晚上好 (wǎn shàng hǎo): Good evening
The best way to choose the appropriate greeting is to consider the person you are speaking to and the situation.