How do you say hello and thank you in Chinese?
In Chinese, hello is said 你好 (Nǐ hǎo) and thank you is said 谢谢 (xiè xie). These two basic expressions are enough for daily interactions when traveling in China.
Essential Polite Formulas
Hello : 你好 (Nǐ hǎo) — literally "you well", it's the universal greeting in Mandarin. Pronounced "ni hao" with a rising then falling tone.
Thank you : 谢谢 (xiè xie) — pronounced "chi-é chi-é" with a falling tone. Repeated twice to reinforce politeness.
Useful Variants for Travelers
- Thank you very much : 谢谢你 (xiè xie nǐ) — adds "you" to personalize
- Formal hello : 您好 (nín hǎo) — respectful version with elderly or official people
- Informal hi : 嗨 (hāi) — equivalent of "hi" among young people
Key Takeaway
Chinese people appreciate the effort travelers make when attempting a few words in Mandarin, even with an approximate accent. A simple 你好 accompanied by a smile often opens doors.