100 Ways to Say Hello in Different Languages + Great Examples -

Saying Hello in Different Cultures

Its great to know how to say hello in different languages! When we meet someone for the first time, the very first word we usually utter is “hello.” This simple act of greeting serves as a universal bridge, a courteous gesture that opens the door of communication. It’s more than just a word; it’s a social tool that signifies acknowledgment and initiates interaction.

Throughout the world, the practice of saying “hello” varies immensely. Every region, every culture, has its unique way of expressing this greeting. The manner of delivery, too, can differ, symbolizing respect, friendliness, or formality. One’s greeting can speak volumes about their cultural background and social etiquette.

This article, your companion and guide in this fascinating journey, will take you on an exploration of the word “hello” in different languages. You’ll discover the richness of human interaction and the diversity of our world’s cultures.

The Importance of Saying Hello in Different Languages

Understanding how to say hello in different languages is a step towards embracing cultural diversity. It creates a sense of belonging and shows respect for other cultures. This simple greeting becomes a powerful tool in bridging gaps and building rapport among people of different nationalities.

When you say “hello” in the native tongue of the person you’re interacting with, it can bring a sense of surprise and delight. It can make them feel acknowledged, respected, and valued. Moreover, this small effort can often break the ice, making it easier for you to engage in further communication.

In an increasingly globalized world, knowing how to greet in various languages can be an asset. Whether you’re traveling, doing business internationally, or living in a multicultural society, this knowledge can help you establish better relationships and navigate through diverse cultural landscapes.

Fascinating Facts about “Hello” Across the Globe

The word “hello” itself has an interesting history. It became popular as a telephone greeting after Thomas Edison suggested its use in this context. Before that, “hello” was not commonly used as a greeting.

Around the globe, “hello” takes many forms, and these greetings often carry underlying cultural connotations. In Japan, for instance, the traditional greeting “konichiwa” carries the meaning of “good day.” In contrast, the informal Hawaiian “aloha” can mean both “hello” and “goodbye,” illustrating the laid-back culture of the islands.

This diversity in greetings is a testament to the vibrant tapestry of human cultures. Each way of saying “hello” reflects the unique essence of its people and place.

How to Say Hello in Different Languages: A Comprehensive Guide

Embarking on this journey, let’s begin with a comprehensive guide on how to say “hello” in different languages. This guide will cover European, Asian, African, Middle Eastern, and South American languages. But remember, saying “hello” goes beyond just the word. It’s about the tone, the context, and, often, the accompanying gestures.

Saying Hello in European Languages

blue and yellow stars flag on pole and hello in Europe

Across the diverse landscapes of Europe, the greeting of “hello” changes with each border you cross. In French, you would say “Bonjour,” while in German, it’s “Guten Tag.” Spanish people say “Hola,” and in Italian, it’s “Ciao.”

In the colder climes of Northern Europe, you would hear “Hej” in Swedish and “Hei” in Finnish. In the welcoming pubs of Ireland, you’d be greeted with a hearty “Dia duit,” while in the kafeneia of Greece, you’d hear a friendly “Yasou.” This list may be the most familiar ways to say hello in different languages.

Spanish: Hola (oh-lah) – “¡Hola, ¿cómo estás?” (Hello, how are you?)
French: Bonjour (bohn-zhoor) – “Bonjour, comment ça va?” (Hello, how are you?)
German: Hallo (hah-loh) – “Hallo, wie geht es dir?” (Hello, how are you?)
Italian: Ciao (chow) – “Ciao, come stai?” (Hello, how are you?)
Portuguese: Olá (oh-lah) – “Olá, como está?” (Hello, how are you?)
Dutch: Hallo (hah-loh) – “Hallo, hoe gaat het?” (Hello, how are you?)
Russian: Привет (Privet) – “Привет, как дела?” (Hello, how are you?)
Greek: Γειά σας (Yia sas) – “Γειά σας, τι κάνετε;” (Hello, how are you?)
Swedish: Hej (hey) – “Hej, hur mår du?” (Hello, how are you?)
Norwegian: Hei (hay) – “Hei, hvordan har du det?” (Hello, how are you?)
Danish: Hej (hey) – “Hej, hvordan har du det?” (Hello, how are you?)
Polish: Cześć (cheshch) – “Cześć, jak się masz?” (Hello, how are you?)
Czech: Ahoj (ah-hoy) – “Ahoj, jak se máš?” (Hello, how are you?)
Hungarian: Helló (hel-lo) – “Helló, hogy vagy?” (Hello, how are you?)
Finnish: Hei (hey) – “Hei, mitä kuuluu?” (Hello, how are you?)
Romanian: Salut (sa-loot) – “Salut, cum ești?” (Hello, how are you?)
Bulgarian: Здравейте (Zdraveyte) – “Здравейте, как сте?” (Hello, how are you?)
Serbian: Здраво (Zdravo) – “Здраво, како се осећате?” (Hello, how are you?)
Slovak: Ahoj (ah-hoy) – “Ahoj, ako sa máš?” (Hello, how are you?)
Ukrainian: Привіт (Privit) – “Привіт, як у вас справи?” (Hello, how are you?)
Romanian: Buna ziua (boo-nah zee-wah) – “Buna ziua, cum va simtiti?” (Good day, how are you?)
Icelandic: Halló (hah-loh) – “Halló, hvernig hefur þú það?” (Hello, how are you?)
Irish: Dia dhuit (dee-uh gwitch) – “Dia dhuit, conas atá tú?” (Hello, how are you?)
Scottish Gaelic: Halò (ha-loh) – “Halò, ciamar a tha thu?” (Hello, how are you?)
Latvian: Sveiki (sveh-kee) – “Sveiki, kā jums klājas?” (Hello, how are you?)

Great Guides to Learning Spanish Slang

Saying Hello in Asian Languages

turned-on kanji script neon signage at the building and hello in Asia

Asia, home to numerous languages and dialects, offers a fascinating spectrum of greetings. In Mandarin Chinese, it’s “Ni hao,” while Japanese people say “Konichiwa.” In India, where hundreds of languages are spoken, the common greeting in Hindi is “Namaste.”

In the bustling streets of Bangkok, you’ll hear “Sawasdee” in Thai, while in the towering skyscrapers of Seoul, “Annyeonghaseyo” is the greeting in Korean. In the tranquil islands of the Philippines, you’d be greeted with “Kumusta” in Filipino. This is one of the most interesting ways to say hello in different languages.

Japanese: こんにちは (Konnichiwa) – “こんにちは、元気ですか？” (Hello, how are you?)
Chinese (Mandarin): 你好 (Nǐ hǎo) – “你好，你好吗？” (Hello, are you well?)
Korean: 안녕하세요 (Annyeonghaseyo) – “안녕하세요, 어떻게 지내세요?” (Hello, how are you?)
Thai: สวัสดี (Sawasdee) – “สวัสดี, คุณเป็นยังไงบ้าง?” (Hello, how are you?)
Hindi: नमस्ते (Namaste) – “नमस्ते, आप कैसे हैं?” (Hello, how are you?)
Bengali: হ্যালো (Halo) – “হ্যালো, আপনি কেমন আছেন?” (Hello, how are you?)
Vietnamese: Xin chào (Seen chow) – “Xin chào, bạn có khỏe không?” (Hello, are you well?)
Filipino (Tagalog): Kamusta (Kah-moo-stah) – “Kamusta ka?” (Hello, how are you?)
Indonesian: Halo (Hah-loh) – “Halo, bagaimana kabarmu?” (Hello, how are you?)
Malay: Selamat sejahtera (Se-lah-mat seh-jah-teh-rah) – “Selamat sejahtera, bagaimana keadaan anda?” (Hello, how are you?)
Burmese: မင်္ဂလာပါ (Mingalarpar) – “မင်္ဂလာပါ။ သင်ဘာပါလို့လဲ?” (Hello, how are you?)
Japanese: こんばんは (Konbanwa) – “こんばんは、お元気ですか？” (Good evening, how are you?)
Chinese (Cantonese): 你好 (Nei hou) – “你好，你點呀？” (Hello, how are you?)
Kannada: ಹಲೋ (Hālō) – “ಹಲೋ, ನೀವು ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರಿ?” (Hello, how are you?)
Tamil: வணக்கம் (Vaṇakkam) – “வணக்கம், நீங்கள் எப்படி இருக்கின்றீர்கள்?” (Hello, how are you?)
Mongolian: Сайн байна уу? (Sain baina uu?) – “Сайн байна уу? Та яаж байна вэ?” (Hello, how are you?)
Nepali: नमस्ते (Namaste) – “नमस्ते, तपाइँलाई कस्तो छ?” (Hello, how are you?)
Kazakh: Сәлеметсіздерге (Sälemetsizderge) – “Сәлеметсіздерге, сіз калайсыз?” (Hello, how are you?)
Tibetan: བཀྲ་ཤིས་བདེ་ལེགས (Tashi delek) – “བཀྲ་ཤིས་བདེ་ལེགས, ཁྱོད་ཀྱིས་ནང་བསྐྱོད་ནུས་རིག་གཞན?” (Hello, how are you?)
Urdu: ہیلو (Hello) – “ہیلو، آپ کیسے ہیں؟” (Hello, how are you?)
Tajik: Салом (Salom) – “Салом, шумо чихораҳо меравед?” (Hello, how are you?)
Korean: 여보세요 (Yeoboseyo) – “여보세요, 어떻게 지내세요?” (Hello, how are you?)
Mongolian: Марьяарай (Mar’yaarai) – “Марьяарай, чи яаж байгаа байна?” (Hello, how are you?)
Telugu: హలో (Hālō) – “హలో, మీరు ఎలా ఉన్నారు?” (Hello, how are you?)
Bengali: হ্যালো (Halo) – “হ্যালো, কেমন আছ?” (Hello, how are you?)

Saying Hello in African Languages

group of children photography and hello in different african countries

Africa, with its rich tapestry of cultures, has a multitude of ways to say “hello.” In Swahili, widely spoken in East Africa, “Jambo” is the common greeting, while in the Amharic language of Ethiopia, it’s “Salam.” In Zulu, widely spoken in South Africa, you would hear “Sawubona.” Lets learn more ways to say hello in different languages

In the bustling markets of Nigeria, you’d hear “Bawo” in Yoruba, and in the serene landscapes of Botswana, “Dumela” is the greeting in Tswana.

Swahili (Kenya, Tanzania): Jambo (jahm-boh) – “Jambo! Nataka kununua karanga.” (Hello! I want to buy some peanuts.)
Zulu (South Africa): Sawubona (sah-woo-boh-nah) – “Sawubona, unjani?” (Hello, how are you?)
Amharic (Ethiopia): Selam (seh-lahm) – “Selam, n’gud?” (Hello, how are you?)
Hausa (Nigeria): Sannu (sahn-noo) – “Sannu da aiki!” (Hello and good work!)
Yoruba (Nigeria): Bawo ni (bah-woh nee) – “Bawo ni, e ku ise o!” (Hello, good morning!)
Igbo (Nigeria): Kedu (keh-doo) – “Kedu ka i mere?” (Hello, how are you?)
Oromo (Ethiopia): Akkam (ahk-kahm) – “Akkam jirtu?” (Hello, are you here?)
Kinyarwanda (Rwanda): Muraho (moo-rah-ho) – “Muraho, bite?” (Hello, how are you?)
Tigrinya (Eritrea): Selam (seh-lahm) – “Selam, kemey aleka?” (Hello, how are you?)
Lingala (Democratic Republic of Congo): Mbote (m-boh-teh) – “Mbote na yo!” (Hello to you!)
Somali (Somalia): Maalim (mah-leem) – “Maalim, sidee tahay?” (Hello, how are you?)
Chichewa (Malawi): Moni (moh-nee) – “Moni, muli bwanji?” (Hello, how are you?)
Fulfulde (West Africa): Jamma (jah-mah) – “Jamma, noppataa?” (Hello, how are you?)
Tswana (Botswana): Dumela (doo-meh-lah) – “Dumela, o tsogile jang?” (Hello, how are you?)
Ibibio (Nigeria): Abadie (ah-bah-dee-eh) – “Abadie, idem mmi?” (Hello, how is it?)
Sesotho (Lesotho): Lumela (loo-meh-lah) – “Lumela, u phela joang?” (Hello, how are you?)
Shona (Zimbabwe): Mhoroi (mor-oy) – “Mhoroi, kuzvichengetedza sei?” (Hello, how are you taking care?)
Hausa (Niger): Sannu da zuwa (sahn-noo dah zoo-wah) – “Sannu da zuwa, mey kake so?” (Hello and welcome, what do you want?)
Sotho (South Africa, Lesotho): Dumela (doo-meh-lah) – “Dumela, o phela kae?” (Hello, how are you?)
Wolof (Senegal): Nopp na la (nohp nah lah) – “Nopp na la, na yow?” (Hello, how are you?)
Ibibio (Nigeria): Abadie (ah-bah-dee-eh) – “Abadie, iso mmi?” (Hello, how is the day?)
Yoruba (Nigeria): Ek’aro (ay-kah-roh) – “Ek’aro, e ku isimi!” (Good morning, wake up!)
Zulu (South Africa): Ngiyakwemukela (ng-ee-yah-kweh-moo-kay-lah) – “Ngiyakwemukela endlini yami.” (I welcome you to my house.)
Tigrinya (Eritrea): Selam hizbi (seh-lahm heez-bee) – “Selam hizbi, kemey aleka?” (Hello, my friend, how are you?)
Chichewa (Malawi): Moni bwino (moh-nee bwee-noh) – “Moni bwino, mukuyenda bwanji?” (Hello, are you going?)

Saying Hello in Middle Eastern Languages

In the Middle East, where hospitality is deeply ingrained in the culture, greetings are often warm and expressive. In Arabic, you say “Marhaba” or “As-salamu alaykum,” which means “peace be upon you.” In Persian, spoken in Iran, “Salam” is the way to say hello. Learn how to say hello in different languages

In Hebrew, spoken in Israel, the greeting is “Shalom,” while in Turkey, you would hear “Merhaba.”

Arabic (Standard): Marhaba (mar-hah-bah) – “Marhaba! Kayfa haluk?” (Hello! How are you?)
Persian (Farsi): Salam (sah-lahm) – “Salam, shoma khobi?” (Hello, are you well?)
Turkish: Merhaba (mer-hah-bah) – “Merhaba! Nasılsınız?” (Hello! How are you?)
Hebrew: Shalom (sha-lom) – “Shalom, ma shlomek?” (Hello, how are you?)
Kurdish: Silav (see-lahv) – “Silav, çi pêwîst e?” (Hello, what do you need?)
Arabic (Egyptian): Ahlan (ah-lahn) – “Ahlan! Ismak eh?” (Hello! What’s your name?)
Armenian: Parev (par-ev) – “Parev, inchbes es?” (Hello, how are you?)
Azeri: Salam (sah-lahm) – “Salam, sizi necə tapa bilərəm?” (Hello, how can I find you?)
Georgian: Gamarjoba (gah-mahr-joh-bah) – “Gamarjoba, ra gkvia?” (Hello, how are you?)
Kurdish (Sorani): Silaw (see-law) – “Silaw, choni bashi?” (Hello, how are you?)
Dari (Afghanistan): Salaam (sa-lahm) – “Salaam, chetor astee?” (Hello, how are you?)
Arabic (Levantine): Marhabtein (mar-hahb-teen) – “Marhabtein! Kifkon?” (Hello! How are you all?)
Kurdish (Kurmanji): Slav (slahv) – “Slav, tu çawa ye?” (Hello, how are you?)
Pashto (Afghanistan): Salam (sa-lam) – “Salam, senga yao da?” (Hello, how are you?)
Tajik: Salom (sa-lom) – “Salom, shumo chi mikunid?” (Hello, what are you doing?)
Uzbek: Salom (sa-lom) – “Salom, sizni qanday chaqirishim mumkin?” (Hello, how can I call you?)
Dari (Tajikistan): Salom (sa-lom) – “Salom, shumo chi mikunid?” (Hello, what are you doing?)
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic: Shlama (shlah-mah) – “Shlama, kif shinukh?” (Hello, how are you?)
Yiddish: Sholem aleichem (shoh-lem ah-lei-khem) – “Sholem aleichem, vi geyts ir?” (Hello, how are you?)
Sorani Kurdish: Silaw (see-law) – “Silaw, choni bashi?” (Hello, how are you?)
Arabic (Moroccan): Salam (sa-lam) – “Salam, kifach kayn lek?” (Hello, how are you?)
Arabic (Iraqi): Maa-as-salaama (maa-a-sah-lah-mah) – “Maa-as-salaama! Shaku maku?” (Hello! What’s up?)
Arabic (Tunisian): Ahla (ah-lah) – “Ahla! Shnu bik?” (Hello! How are you?)
Syriac: Shlama (shlah-mah) – “Shlama, kifo khonukh?” (Hello, how are you?)
Arabic (Qatari): Marhaba (mar-hah-bah) – “Marhaba! Shlonich?” (Hello! How are you, female?)

Saying Hello in South American Languages

In South America, where Spanish is predominantly spoken, “Hola” is the universal greeting. However, in Brazil, where Portuguese is the language, it’s “Olá.” In Quechua, an indigenous language in Peru, “Napaykullayki” is the greeting.

Spanish (Argentina): Hola (oh-la) – “¡Hola, ¿cómo estás?” (Hello, how are you?)
Portuguese (Brazil): Olá (oh-lah) – “Olá, como vai?” (Hello, how are you?)
Quechua (Peru): Rimaykullayki (ree-mahy-koo-lahy-kee) – “Rimaykullayki, imataqmi kani?” (Hello, how are you?)
Guarani (Paraguay): Mborahe (em-bo-rah-hey) – “Mborahe, oiko hendu?” (Hello, how are you?)
Aymara (Bolivia): Yatichañ (yah-tee-chaan) – “Yatichañ, imatakiwa?” (Hello, how are you?)
Wayuu (Colombia, Venezuela): Walekerü (wah-le-ke-ru) – “Walekerü, ju’aparain?” (Hello, how are you?)
Mapudungun (Chile): Mari mari (mah-ree mah-ree) – “Mari mari, ¿küme fey ta wigka?” (Hello, how are you?)
Kichwa (Ecuador): Alli puncha (ah-yee poon-cha) – “Alli puncha, imatakuna?” (Hello, how are you?)
Warao (Venezuela, Guyana): Kari’ña (ka-ree-nya) – “Kari’ña, ekasi paayui?” (Hello, how are you?)
Tupi (Brazil): Anetete (ah-neh-teh-teh) – “Anetete, oxeapacobo?” (Hello, how are you?)
Yucuna (Colombia): Lha’hwona (l-hah-who-nah) – “Lha’hwona, yōdï?” (Hello, how are you?)
Tucano (Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela): Uku-tutu (oo-koo-too-too) – “Uku-tutu, ninan kono tya?” (Hello, how are you?)
Chiquitano (Bolivia): Muhpud’u (muh-puh-doo) – “Muhpud’u, imorayuati?” (Hello, how are you?)
Kariri (Brazil): Kiririme (kee-ree-ree-meh) – “Kiririme, irabotirayo?” (Hello, how are you?)
Baniwa (Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela): Man, pohi (mahn, poh-hee) – “Man, pohi, maroi yemoi kai?” (Hello, how are you?)
Wapishana (Guyana, Brazil): Yo (yoh) – “Yo, wah kai?” (Hello, how are you?)
Cayuvava (Brazil): Aio (ah-yoh) – “Aio, peneká dûa-kã jakekã?” (Hello, how are you?)
Apalaí (Brazil): Xuwé (shoo-way) – “Xuwé, nëre akʉn?” (Hello, how are you?)
Panoan (Peru): Mayú (mah-yoo) – “Mayú, neyakuhapi?” (Hello, how are you?)
Bora (Peru, Colombia): Kina (kee-nah) – “Kina, po itimaãe?” (Hello, how are you?)
Yagua (Peru): Bói (boh-ee) – “Bói, na dene?” (Hello, how are you?)
Yameo (Peru): Ipiro (ee-pee-roh) – “Ipiro, maajaiku?” (Hello, how are you?)
Pacahuara (Brazil): Kahe (kah-hey) – “Kahe, penaha mani?” (Hello, how are you?)
Ashéninka (Peru): Yiro (yee-roh) – “Yiro, ka’itakima?” (Hello, how are you?)
Piaroa (Venezuela, Colombia): Tõmuja (toh-moo-hah) – “Tõmuja, wainimë?” (Hello, how are you?)

Unique and Interesting Ways to Say Hello in Different Languages

Beyond the standard “hello,” there are unique and interesting ways to greet people around the world. In New Zealand, the traditional Maori greeting is the “hongi,” where people press their noses together. In Tibet, sticking out your tongue can be a greeting!

In Nigeria, it’s common to ask “Have you eaten?” as a form of greeting, reflecting the importance of hospitality in the culture. In some tribes in Africa, clapping hands before saying hello is a traditional practice.

The Power of Language Learning

Are you looking to embark on a journey that will open up a world of opportunities? Language learning might just be the key you need! In today’s interconnected world, the ability to communicate in multiple languages is more valuable than ever before. It not only enhances your personal growth but also expands your career prospects and cultural horizons.

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Why Learn a New Language?

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Travel and Adventure: Imagine traveling to a foreign country and effortlessly conversing with locals, exploring hidden gems, and indulging in authentic cuisine. Learning the local language enriches your travel experiences.
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italki is not just another language learning service; it’s your gateway to a world of possibilities. Here’s why you should start your language learning journey with us:

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Conclusion: The Global Language of Greeting

As we journeyed across the globe, we discovered the fascinating diversity of the word “hello” in different languages. Each greeting is a window into the culture it comes from, revealing unique aspects of social norms and values.

Mastering the art of saying hello in different languages is more than just a linguistic exercise. It’s a journey of cultural exploration, a step towards fostering global understanding and unity. So the next time you meet someone from a different culture, surprise them by saying hello in their language. It might just be the start of a beautiful conversation.

Remember, no matter the language, a warm and friendly “hello” can make all the difference. It’s the global language of greeting, a universal symbol of openness and connection. So say it loud, say it proud, and most importantly, say it with a smile!

Language Guide Spanish Slang

100 Ways to Say Hello in Different Languages + Great Examples

Saying Hello in Different Cultures

The Importance of Saying Hello in Different Languages

Fascinating Facts about “Hello” Across the Globe