Do you know what the most awkward moment for all foreigners studying Chinese? When they understand that “no hao” is far from the most popular word that the inhabitants of the Middle Kingdom use for greeting.
How do you say hello in Chinese? How are you? Especially for you - six ways to say it.
Bonus 你好! (no hao!) / 您好 (Ning hao!) - “Hello!” / “Hello!”
In case you have just started to study Chinese, or you are a simple tourist who is not even going to learn the language, but has already issued a visa to China.
“No hao” is the first thing that all foreigners study. And even those who are completely unfamiliar with the language know that if you want to say “hello” in Chinese, say “no hao”. If translated literally, the meaning will be in tune with our “hello”: “neither” - you; Hao is good.
In fact, locals rarely use this phrase, since it sounds too formal. “Ning hao” is a respectful form (“nin” is you). Most often used to greet teachers or higher authorities. In this form, it is actively used.
Also quite often, even in the first lessons of Chinese, they study: if you add an interrogative particle to “no hao”, then the greeting turns into the question “how are you” (“no hao ma?”). However, this will immediately give you a foreigner. The Chinese use this kind of turnover not to ask how you are doing, but to make sure that everything is in order. That is, saying “no chaos”, you focus on the fact that a person looks, to put it mildly, it does not matter and you want to know if he is healthy.
早！ (Zao!) - "Good morning!"
Zao is short for 早上 好! ("Zao shan hao!"), Which means "good morning." This is one of the popular ways to say hello in Chinese. The only case when the use of this word is inappropriate is if it is evening on the street.
你 吃 了 吗？ (Nee chi le ma?) - “Have you eaten?”
If you were asked, “Nee chi le ma?”, Do not rush to talk about the delicious sandwich you ate for breakfast, or look around for food.
For the Chinese, this is not an invitation to dinner, but a way to ask how you are doing. Just answer: “Chi le. None? ” ("I ate, and you?"). So you express unobtrusive care for a person. Do not worry, if you ask so, no one will demand treats from you, but it is quite possible that the attitude of local people will become a few degrees warmer. The Chinese love foreigners who not only know how to say “hello” in Chinese, but are not surprised at the issue of food.
最近 好吗？ (Zui Jin Hao Ma?) - “How are you?”
"Zui jin hao ma?" similar to Russian "how are you?" The answer may be the same as in the native language. You can limit yourself to a short “hao” - “good”, or simply nod your head in the affirmative. And you can, if the level of language allows you, say a few phrases about how things are going.
喂 (Way!) - "Hello?"
So the Chinese answer the phone. Very simple and pleasantly sounding word. Everyone uses it, regardless of age, gender and social status.
去 哪儿？ (Chu Nar?) - "Where are you going?"
"Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooe neon about you all over the world! Is a way to say hello in Chinese if you come across someone. By our standards, such a question may seem like excessive curiosity, especially when the person you are talking to is a wise acquaintance. However, for the Chinese, this is only a way to show participation and show some respect for the person.
Often a question form is used where the location is already indicated. For example, when confronted with a student or schoolchild, you may ask: “Chu shan ky le?” ("Are you going to a lesson / pair?").
好久不见！ (Hao jo joo jen!) - "Long time no see!"
"Hao jo joo jen!" - So you can say in Chinese “hello” to an old acquaintance with whom you have not seen for a long time. This phrase has a very positive emotional connotation.
Little but
As you probably know, Chinese is the tone language. One and the same word spoken in a different tone may mean a completely different one. Of course, if you are a tourist, and even fair-haired, then the good-natured Chinese will definitely make a discount on this. But if you want to sound like a local, consider: it’s not enough to know how to say “hello” in Chinese. Pronunciation also plays an important role.
There is a very simple option for those who are not going to seriously study the language - fill in the phrase with an online translator with the ability to listen to the typed text and just try to copy the speaker's intonation. This is much easier than understanding the nuances of one of the most difficult to learn languages in the world.
Above all, do not be afraid to speak. The Chinese are always happy to tell you how to. Especially if in response you take a picture with them and teach a couple of phrases in Russian or English. Or buy something, as soon as the noodle merchant helped you.