How to Say Hello in Chinese & Basic Phrases for Tourists

The most universal greeting is Nǐ hǎo (你好). Pronounced roughly like "Nee How", it works in almost any situation—saying hi to shopkeepers, hotel staff, or strangers.

Level up: If you are greeting someone older than you or someone you want to show deep respect to (like a business partner or a senior official), use Nín hǎo (您好). It is the polite/formal version of Nǐ hǎo.

If you open a textbook, it will tell you that "How are you" in Mandarin is Nǐ hǎo ma? (你好吗).Please don't use this.

In real-world China, asking "Nǐ hǎo ma?" sounds extremely unnatural, almost like an alien trying to read a script. Chinese people rarely ask "How are you?" as a passing greeting.

Instead, if you want to sound like a local when greeting a friend, use:

• Chī le ma? (吃了吗?) - "Have you eaten?" (This is the cultural equivalent of "How are you")
• Zěn me yàng? (怎么样?) - "What's up / How are things?"

For strangers or hotel staff, just a standard "Nǐ Hǎo" with a nod is perfect.

If you only remember one phrase from this page, make it Bù hǎo yì si (不好意思). Pronounced "Boo How Yee Suh".

This is the ultimate "Excuse Me" hacking word. You can use it when:

• Squeezing past people on a crowded subway
• Getting the attention of a waiter in a restaurant
• Bumping into someone accidentally
• Starting a question to a stranger (e.g., "Bù hǎo yì si, where is the toilet?")

In tourist areas, you might be approached by people selling tours, fake watches, or souvenirs. A simple "No thank you" in English usually works, but if they persist, the magic phrase is:

Bù yào (不要)

Pronounced "Boo Yow". It literally means "Don't want". It is direct, firm, and immediately signals to the vendor that you know what you are doing. Say it while walking away without breaking stride.