Traditional Chinese - First Greetings

您好

Nín hǎo.

Hello.

Meaning: 您好 (Nín hǎo) means “Hello.” It sounds polite and respectful. Examples: 您好，我是 Anna。 (Nín hǎo, wǒ shì Anna.) = Hello, I’m Anna. 您好，David。 (Nín hǎo, David.) = Hello, David.

When to use: Use 您好 (Nín hǎo) with strangers, elders, staff, customers, or anyone you want to greet politely in Taiwan.

Tip: Don’t mix up 您 (nín) and 你 (nǐ). 您好 (Nín hǎo) is more polite; 你好嗎？ (Nǐ hǎo ma?) is neutral and common.

嗨

Hāi.

Hi.

Meaning: 嗨 (Hāi) means “Hi.” It is casual and friendly. Examples: 嗨，我是 David。 (Hāi, wǒ shì David.) = Hi, I’m David. 嗨，Anna。 (Hāi, Anna.) = Hi, Anna.

When to use: Use 嗨 (Hāi) with friends, classmates, coworkers your age, or people you already know.

早安

Zǎo ān.

Good morning.

Meaning: 早安 (Zǎo ān) means “Good morning.” Examples: 早安，我是 Sarah。 (Zǎo ān, wǒ shì Sarah.) = Good morning, I’m Sarah. 早安，David。 (Zǎo ān, David.) = Good morning, David.

When to use: Use 早安 (Zǎo ān) in the morning when you first see someone.

午安

Wǔ ān.

Good afternoon.

Meaning: 午安 (Wǔ ān) means “Good afternoon.” It feels a bit polite and neat. Examples: 午安，我是 Mike。 (Wǔ ān, wǒ shì Mike.) = Good afternoon, I’m Mike. 午安，Anna。 (Wǔ ān, Anna.) = Good afternoon, Anna.

When to use: Use 午安 (Wǔ ān) around midday or in the afternoon, especially in polite or service situations.

晚安

Wǎn ān.

Good evening.

Meaning: 晚安 (Wǎn ān) means “Good evening,” and it can also mean “Good night” when saying goodbye at night. Examples: 晚安，我是 Anna。 (Wǎn ān, wǒ shì Anna.) = Good evening, I’m Anna. 晚安，David。 (Wǎn ān, David.) = Good evening, David.

When to use: Use 晚安 (Wǎn ān) in the evening as a greeting, or late at night when leaving or going to sleep.

Tip: 晚安 (Wǎn ān) can be both an evening greeting and a nighttime goodbye. Context tells you which meaning it has.

你好嗎

Nǐ hǎo ma?

How are you?

Meaning: 你好嗎？ (Nǐ hǎo ma?) means “How are you?” Examples: 嗨，你好嗎？ (Hāi, nǐ hǎo ma?) = Hi, how are you? Anna，你好嗎？ (Anna, nǐ hǎo ma?) = Anna, how are you?

When to use: Use 你好嗎？ (Nǐ hǎo ma?) in introductions or when politely checking in with someone.

我很好，謝謝

Wǒ hěn hǎo, xièxie.

I'm good, thanks.

Meaning: 我很好，謝謝 (Wǒ hěn hǎo, xièxie) means “I’m good, thanks.” Examples: 我很好，謝謝。 (Wǒ hěn hǎo, xièxie.) = I’m good, thanks. 嗨，我很好，謝謝。 (Hāi, wǒ hěn hǎo, xièxie.) = Hi, I’m good, thanks.

When to use: Use 我很好，謝謝 (Wǒ hěn hǎo, xièxie) to answer 你好嗎？ (Nǐ hǎo ma?) in a simple, positive way.

我是___

Wǒ shì ___.

I'm ___.

Meaning: 我是___ (Wǒ shì ___) means “I’m ___.” Put your name after 是 (shì). Examples: 我是 Anna。 (Wǒ shì Anna.) = I’m Anna. 我是 David。 (Wǒ shì David.) = I’m David.

When to use: Use 我是___ (Wǒ shì ___) when introducing yourself simply, especially right after a greeting like 您好 (Nín hǎo) or 嗨 (Hāi).

Tip: Keep it simple: 我是 Anna (Wǒ shì Anna) already means “I’m Anna.” Don’t add extra English words inside the Chinese sentence.