你好
nǐ hǎophrase★Beginner
formalinformal
A common greeting meaning 'hello' or 'hi' used to address someone politely.
你好，请问你叫什么名字？
Hello, may I ask what your name is?
你好，我是来面试的。
Hello, I'm here for the interview.
💡
This phrase is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal settings, though it leans slightly more formal than '嗨' (hāi).
Collocations
你好啊Hi there你好吗Hello, how are you?
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
你好啊phrase
Hi there
您好phrase
Hello (formal)
💡Pro Tip
Formal vs. Informal
Use '你好' for general greetings, but switch to '您好' when addressing someone older or in a professional context.
⚡Gold Rule
Greeting Etiquette
In Chinese culture, a smile and a slight nod often accompany '你好' to show politeness.
📖Word Origin
Composed of '你' (you) and '好' (good), literally meaning 'you good' as a polite greeting.
📝Usage Notes
While '你好' is neutral, '您好' is more formal and respectful, especially when addressing elders or in professional settings.
Word Breakdown
你
you
pronoun好
good
adjective✎ Noted on May 31, 2026ZH → EN