The very first phrase you learn in Mandarin Chinese is almost certainly "Ni Hao" (你好).
While this universal greeting is the linguistic passport to China, there is a catch: if you say "Ni Hao" to your best friend or your mother, they might give you a strange look. In casual native situations, it can sound overly formal, stiff, or distant—almost like shaking hands with your sibling.
For HSK learners and travelers alike, true mastery involves understanding the context.
In this guide, we will dissect the pronunciation secrets of "Ni Hao" (including the tone rule textbooks often bury), explain the vital difference between "Ni" and "Nin," and introduce you to the greetings Chinese people actually use daily.
1. Deconstructing "Ni Hao": Pronunciation Secrets
Vocabulary Breakdown
- 你 (Nǐ): You (Singular, informal)
- 好 (Hǎo): Good / Well
Literally, you are wishing the person "You Good."
The "Tone Sandhi" Rule (Crucial for Speaking)
Pinyin guides show both characters as having a 3rd Tone (Falling-Rising).
- Written: Nǐ (3rd) + Hǎo (3rd)
However, if you pronounce two 3rd tones slowly and fully in a row, it sounds awkward and laboriously slow. Native speakers naturally apply a Tone Change (Sandhi) rule:
Rule: When two 3rd tones appear together, the first one transforms into a 2nd Tone (Rising).
- Spoken: Ní (2nd) + Hǎo (3rd).
- Sounds like: "Nee" (going up) + "How" (dip and rise).
2. The Respect Hierarchy: Nǐ (你) vs. Nín (您)
Chinese culture is heavily influenced by Confucian hierarchy. Addressing someone incorrectly can be a minor social faux pas or a sign of disrespect.
| Character | Pinyin | Usage | HSK Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 你 | Nǐ | Peers, friends, children, subordinates. | HSK 1 |
| 您 | Nín | Elders, teachers, bosses, customers. | HSK 1 |
Memory Aid: Look closely at the characters. 您 (Nín) has the character for Heart (心) at the bottom. This signifies that the respect comes "from the heart."
- Greeting a Boss: "经理，您好" (Manager, hello).
- Learn more about titles in our guide: How to address people in Chinese.
3. Beyond "Hello": 5 Native Ways to Greet
To sound less like a robot and more like a local, you need to expand your HSK 1 vocabulary into HSK 2 and 3 territory.
1. The Casual "Zao" (Early)
- Phrase: 早 (Zǎo)
- Meaning: Morning!
- Usage: Used strictly before 10-11 AM with colleagues or friends. It is short for morning greetings like Zǎoshang hǎo.
2. The Cultural "Have you eaten?"
- Phrase: 你吃了吗？(Nǐ chī le ma?)
- Meaning: Have you eaten?
- Real Meaning: "How are you? / Is everything good?"
- Response: You simply say "Chī le" (I ate) or "Hái méi" (Not yet). Do not list what you ate!
- Note: This usually appears in listening practice around HSK 2/3.
- Context: Understanding the phrase 'Ni chi le ma?'
3. The Long Time No See
- Phrase: 好久不见 (Hǎo jiǔ bú jiàn)
- Meaning: Long time no see.
- Grammar: 好 (Very) + 久 (Long time) + 不 (No) + 见 (See). This uses "Hao" as an adverb meaning "Very" (HSK 3 usage).
4. The Phone Greeting
- Phrase: 喂 (Wéi / Wèi)
- Meaning: Hello? (On telephone only).
- Pronunciation: Usually spoken with a rising 2nd tone (Wéi) when answering, and a falling 4th tone (Wèi) to get attention.
5. "Where are you going?"
- Phrase: 去哪儿？(Qù nǎr?)
- Usage: A common greeting between neighbors passing on the street. It’s rhetorical. You can answer vaguely: "Going out" (Chūqù).
- Read more about greetings other than Nihao here.
4. HSK Relevance: Grammar Patterns in Greetings
Even simple greetings contain the DNA of Chinese grammar. Studying them helps you ace the basics.
Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) vs. Adjective Predicates
English requires a verb "to be" (How are you?). Chinese often doesn't.
- Phrase: 你好吗？ (Nǐ hǎo ma?)
- Grammar: Subject (You) + Adjective (Good) + Question Particle (Ma).
- Note: You never say "Nǐ shì hǎo ma" (Are you good?). Adjectives in Chinese include the concept of "to be."
The "Ma" Particle (吗)
This is the HSK 1 question marker for "Yes/No" questions.
- Usage: Statement + 吗 = Question?
- Example: 你好 (Hello/You are good) -> 你好吗 (Are you good?)
Reciprocating with "Ye" (Also)
If someone asks how you are, HSK 1 requires you to use 也 (Yě - Also) before the adjective/verb.
- A: 我很好 (I am very good).
- B: 我也很好 (I also am very good).
5. Greeting Etiquette: Do's and Don'ts
Don't Greeting everyone individually
If you walk into a room of 10 people, do not say "Ni hao" ten times.
- Say: 大家好 (Dàjiā hǎo) - Hello Everyone.
Don't Bow (Usually)
Unlike in Japan or Korea, bowing is not a standard daily greeting in modern China. A nod or a handshake is sufficient.
Don't Shake Hands Too Firmly
In the West, a bone-crushing handshake shows confidence. In China, a gentler handshake is preferred.
Do Use Titles
When greeting a teacher, put the title first.
- English: Hello Teacher.
- Chinese: 老师好 (Lǎoshī hǎo - Teacher Good).
6. HSK 1 & 2 Vocabulary Checklist
Ensure you have these flashed to memory for your first exam.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 再见 | Zàijiàn | Goodbye (See you again) |
| 谢谢 | Xièxie | Thank you |
| 对不起 | Duìbuqǐ | Sorry / Excuse me |
| 没关系 | Méiguānxi | It doesn't matter (Reply to Sorry) |
| 不客气 | Búkèqi | You're welcome (Reply to Thanks) |
If you are looking for ways to say Goodbye beyond "Zaijian," or need formal phrases for saying Thank You, check out our dedicated vocabulary lists.
Conclusion
"Ni Hao" is the seed from which your Chinese grows. By understanding its tone rules, learning when to swap it for "Nin Hao," and expanding into native phrases like "Chi le ma," you demonstrate cultural IQ—something exams can't fully measure, but native speakers always notice.
Keep practicing those tones, and don't be afraid to ask "Nǐ chī le ma?" at your next language exchange!
Ready to start? Practice these words alongside our guide on Mastering Self-Introductions.