The First Step in Any Tongue: A Guide to Saying Hello in Different Languages

Last updated: Jul 31, 2026

Greetings are one of the most important parts of communication. It is the way to make a good first impression and start a conversation. And when you know how to say hello in different languages, you are bound to impress your interlocutors. In today’s article, we’ll provide you with a list of greetings in foreign tongues suitable for various circumstances. So buckle up, and let’s jump right in!

Formal Ways to Say Hello in Different Languages

Formal greetings are essential for those situations when you’re starting a conversation in official settings or with people you are not quite familiar with. They are great for situations when you need to remain polite and collected. Here are some of the most common formal ways to say hi in Spanish, Italian, Arabic, and multiple other languages.

Guten Tag — German. Say it as GOO-ten TAHK. IPA: [ˈɡuːtn̩ ˈtaːk]
Bonjour — French. Say it as bon-ZHOOR. IPA: [bɔ̃.ʒuʁ]
Buongiorno — Italian. Say it as bwon-JOR-noh. IPA: [bwonˈdʒorno]. Salve [ˈsal.ve] also works and sits somewhere between formal and neutral.
Hola — Spanish. Say it as OH-lah (the h is silent). IPA: [ˈo.la]
Olá — Portuguese. Say it as oh-LAH. IPA: [oˈla]
你好 (Nǐ hǎo) — Mandarin Chinese. Say it as nee HOW, with a dipping tone on both syllables. IPA: [ni̬ xɑ̌ʊ̯]
नमस्ते (Namaste) — Hindi. Say it as nuh-muh-STEH. IPA: [nəməsteː]. Traditionally said with the palms pressed together.
안녕하세요 (Annyeong haseyo) — Korean. Say it as ahn-NYUNG hah-seh-yo. IPA: [a̠nːjʌ̹ŋ ha̠se̞jo]
السلام عليكم (As-salāmu ʿalaykum) — Arabic. Say it as as-sa-LAH-moo ah-LAY-koom. IPA: [ʔæs.sæˈlæː.mu ʕa.lej.kum]
こんにちは (Konnichiwa) — Japanese. Say it as kon-nee-chee-WAH. IPA: [ko̞nːitɕi̥wa]
Merhaba — Turkish. Say it as MER-hah-bah. IPA: [ˈmɛɾ.hɑ.bɑ]
Goddag — Danish. Say it as go-DA, with the final consonant almost swallowed. IPA: [ɡoˈdæˀ]
Goedendag — Dutch. Say it as KHOO-den-dakh, with a throaty kh at both ends. IPA: [ˌɣudəˈdɑx]

Of course, there might be variations. However, the examples from this list are the most versatile, so they can be your safe option when you don’t know the formality level of the conversation yet.

How to Say Hello in Different Languages: Informal Ways

When it comes to casual interactions, informal and slang greetings become an integral part. And, of course, there are numerous examples in foreign languages. In the list below, we’ve collected the most common ones.

Hallo — German. Say it as HAH-loh. IPA: [ˈhalo]
Salut — French. Say it as sa-LOO (the t is silent). IPA: [sa.ly]
Ciao — Italian. Say it as CHOW. IPA: [ˈtʃa.o]
Hola — Spanish. Say it as OH-lah. IPA: [ˈo.la]
Oi — Portuguese. Say it as OY. IPA: [oj]
嗨 (Hāi) — Mandarin Chinese. Say it as hi — it is borrowed straight from English and used among friends. IPA: [xaɪ̯]. Nǐ hǎo also works informally.
नमस्ते (Namaste) — Hindi. Say it as nuh-muh-STEH. Unlike most greetings here, it works in both formal and casual settings; among close friends, English hi is just as common.
안녕 (Annyeong) — Korean. Say it as ahn-NYUNG. IPA: [a̠nːjʌ̹ŋ]
مرحبا (Marhaban) — Arabic. Say it as MAR-ha-ban. IPA: [ˈmar.ħa.ban]
やあ (Yā) — Japanese. Say it as YAH. IPA: [ja̠ː]
Selam — Turkish. Say it as seh-LAM. IPA: [sɛˈlam]
Hej — Danish. Say it as HIGH. IPA: [hɑj]
Hoi — Dutch. Say it as HOY. IPA: [hɔi̯]

These simple but useful ways to say hello in foreign languages work best when communicating with friends, family members, peers, or colleagues you’re close with. However, make sure that the circumstances allow you to use them in conversations. In some cases, it’s better to switch to more formal options to avoid any misunderstandings.

Different Ways to Say Hello: Time-Specific Greetings

In addition to versatile greetings, there are numerous expressions that can be used during specific parts of the day. And that’s precisely what we’re going to discuss next! Here are some of the most common ways of saying hello in other languages.

Guten Morgen – [ˈɡuːtn̩ ˈmɔʁɡn̩] – Good morning in German.
Bonsoir – [bɔ̃.swaʁ] – Good evening in French.
Buona sera – [ˈbwɔna ˈsɛːra] – Good evening in Italian.
Buenas noches – [ˈbwenas ˈnotʃes] – Goodnight in Spanish.
Boa noite – [boɐ ˈnoj.tʃi] – Goodnight in Portuguese.
좋은 아침이에요 (Joeun achimieyo) – [t͡ɕo̞.un a̠.t͡ɕʰi.mi.e̞.jo̞] – Good morning in Korean.
صباح الخير (Sabāḥ al-khayr) – [sˤɑˈbɑːħ el xejr] – Good morning in Arabic.
おはようございます (Ohayou gozaimasu) – [o̞ha̠jo̞ː ɡo̞za̠imasɯ] – Good morning in Japanese. Say it as oh-hah-yoh go-zai-MASS; the final u is almost silent.
早上好 (Zǎoshang hǎo) – Good morning in Mandarin Chinese. Say it as DZOW-shang HOW. In the evening, use 晚上好 (Wǎnshang hǎo), WAN-shang HOW.
सुप्रभात (Suprabhat) – Good morning in Hindi. Say it as soo-pruh-BHAAT. It is somewhat formal and literary; in everyday speech, Namaste covers the whole day.
İyi akşamlar – [ˈiji akʃamˈlaɾ] – Good evening in Turkish.
Godmorgen – [ɡoˈmoːʀn] – Good morning in Danish.
Goedemiddag – [ˌɣu.dəˈmɪ.dɑx] – Good afternoon in Dutch.

These are just some examples of how to say hi in different languages. Surely, many additional slang phrases, regional variations, and other common expressions are widely used by native speakers. However, if your goal is to expand your general knowledge and learn a few greetings in foreign tongues, the ones above are a perfect place to start.

Saying Welcome in Different Languages and More with Promova

While learning basic greetings in several foreign tongues is a great way to boost vocabulary and expand general knowledge, it’s not enough to achieve fluency. So, if your goal is to become proficient in a specific language, you might need a bit more than just understanding how to say hello. But don’t worry! With Promova, you access everything you need to start (or continue) learning a foreign language.

Convenient application. The Promova app allows you to learn English, Spanish, Korean, French, Arabic, and many other languages anywhere and anytime.
Personal and group lessons. For those whose primary objective is to master English, we offer one-on-one and group classes with our professional tutors, who are always ready to help you reach your linguistic goals. And if you want to take a glance at our studying process before making your final decision, you can always access a free trial lesson to help you make up your mind.
Free Conversation Club. If you’re looking for a place to practice English-speaking skills and discuss exciting topics, our free Conversation Club is the perfect place!

Whether you are eager to learn how to say hi in Spanish or goodbye in German, you can easily do so with Promova! There are many things on offer, and you’re the one to decide which ones suit you best.

FAQ

Are there any non-verbal greetings that are appropriate in most languages?

Absolutely! Although some nuances might vary due to cultural differences, there are some common non-verbal gestures that can be used as versatile greetings. This list includes handshakes, nodding or owing slightly, or even simple polite smiles.

Is it essential to learn to say hi in different languages?

While not essential, something as simple as learning to say hello can be very beneficial. Yes, it won’t immediately make you fluent in a particular tongue, but when used in appropriate settings, it will help you show your respect for different languages and cultures.

What are some of the most common mistakes to avoid when greeting someone?

One common mistake is using a greeting that is too informal in a context that requires formality, which can be seen as disrespectful. Mispronouncing the greeting can lead to misunderstandings or offense, especially if the incorrect pronunciation changes the meaning of the word.

What are the best tips for memorizing greetings in a new language?

As we always say, practice makes perfect. If your goal is to only memorize one-two greetings in several foreign tongues, the best thing to do is simply memorize them using different techniques, from flashcards to SRS methods.