How to say "Hello" in German
HalloPronunciation/haˈloː/FormalityNeutral
Meaning
A standard greeting used to acknowledge someone when meeting them.
Usage
Hallo is the most common and neutral way to say hello in German. It can be used in both casual and slightly formal situations. It is appropriate for any time of day. In very formal settings, you might use 'Guten Tag' instead.
Example sentences
Hello! How are you?
Hallo! Wie geht es dir?
Hello, nice to meet you!
Hallo, schön, dich kennenzulernen!
Related expressions
- Guten Tag— Good day; a more formal greeting used during daytime hours.
Use 'Guten Tag' in formal situations or with strangers.
- Hallo zusammen— Hello everyone; a casual greeting for groups.
Common in informal settings when addressing multiple people.
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