Greetings
How to say “Hello” in 16 languages
Here is “Hello” in all 16 languages Crossing covers, with each language's regional variants side by side. Every version shows the native script, a romanization where the script isn't Latin, and a pronunciation guide written for English speakers, with notes on formality and other forms.
EnglishHello
Spanish Español
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Mexico
Hola
OH-lah
Spanish phrases for Mexico -
Spain
Hola
OH-lah
Spanish phrases for SpainMore ways to say this
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Buenas
BWEH-nahs
A relaxed hello at any time of day, very common when walking into a shop or bar.
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Puerto Rico
Hola
OH-lah
Spanish phrases for Puerto RicoMore ways to say this
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Buenas
BWEH-nahs
A friendly all-day greeting, very common in Puerto Rico when you walk into a shop or get into a taxi.
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Dominican Republic
Hola
OH-lah
Spanish phrases for the Dominican RepublicMore ways to say this
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Buenas
BWEH-nahs
Dominicans say this at any hour when walking into a shop, office or colmado. It is short for "buenos días", "buenas tardes" or "buenas noches".
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French Français
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France
Bonjour
bohn-ZHOOR
Works all day until the evening.
French travel phrasesMore ways to say this
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Salut
sah-LUU
For friends and people you know well.
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German Deutsch
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Germany
Hallo
HAH-loh
German travel phrases
Italian Italiano
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Italy
Buongiorno
bwohn-JOHR-noh
Later in the day, say "Buonasera" (bwoh-nah-SEH-rah).
Italian travel phrasesMore ways to say this
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Salve
SAHL-veh
A neutral hello that works at any time of day.
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Ciao
CHOW
For friends and people you know well. It also means goodbye.
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Portuguese Português
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Brazil
Olá
oh-LAH
Portuguese phrases for BrazilMore ways to say this
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Oi
OY
The everyday hello in Brazil.
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Portugal
Olá
oh-LAH
With staff in shops and cafés, people usually greet with "Bom dia" or "Boa tarde" instead.
Portuguese phrases for Portugal
Greek Ελληνικά
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Greece
Γεια σας
Geia sas
YAH sahs
The polite hello for strangers and staff, and also a goodbye. Until early afternoon, "Καλημέρα" (Kaliméra) is just as common.
Greek travel phrasesMore ways to say this
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Γεια σου
Geia sou
YAH soo
For one friend, a child or someone you know well.
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Turkish Türkçe
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Türkiye
Merhaba
MEHR-hah-bah
Turkish travel phrasesMore ways to say this
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Selam
seh-LAHM
Casual, for friends and people you know.
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Russian Русский
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Russia
Здравствуйте
Zdravstvuyte
ZDRAHST-vooy-tee
Russian travel phrasesMore ways to say this
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Добрый день
Dobryy den
DOH-bree dyen
Just as polite during the day, and easier to say.
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Привет
Privet
pree-VYET
Only for friends and people you know well.
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Hindi हिन्दी
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India
नमस्ते
Namaste
nuh-muh-STAY
Works at any time of day, with palms together if you like.
Hindi travel phrases
Bengali বাংলা
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India
নমস্কার
Nomoshkar
naw-mosh-KAR
The everyday greeting in West Bengal at any hour.
Bengali phrases for India -
Bangladesh
আসসালামু আলাইকুম
Assalamu alaikum
ahs-sah-LAH-moo ah-LIE-koom
The everyday greeting in Bangladesh; the reply is "walaikum assalam".
Bengali phrases for BangladeshMore ways to say this
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নমস্কার
Nomoshkar
naw-mosh-KAR
Used mainly by Hindu Bengalis; always a safe, respectful option.
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Gujarati ગુજરાતી
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India
નમસ્તે
Namaste
nuh-muh-STAY
"Kem chho?" often serves as the friendly hello.
Gujarati travel phrases
Mandarin Chinese 中文
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China
你好
Nǐ hǎo
nee how
Mandarin Chinese travel phrasesMore ways to say this
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您好
Nín hǎo
nin how
The respectful hello for older people and officials. Staff will greet you this way.
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Japanese 日本語
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Japan
こんにちは
Konnichiwa
kohn-NEE-chee-wah
Japanese travel phrases
Korean 한국어
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South Korea
안녕하세요
Annyeonghaseyo
ahn-nyuhng-hah-seh-yoh
Works at any time of day. Staff may greet you with the more formal "안녕하십니까" (annyeonghasimnikka).
Korean travel phrasesMore ways to say this
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안녕
Annyeong
ahn-nyuhng
Only for close friends and children. It also means goodbye.
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Arabic العربية
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Egypt
أهلاً
Ahlan
AH-lahn
Arabic phrases for EgyptMore ways to say this
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السلام عليكم
As-salāmu ʿalaykum
ahs-sah-LAH-moo ah-LAY-koom
The reply is "wa ʿalaykum as-salām".
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Hebrew עברית
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Israel
שלום
Shalom
shah-LOHM
Hebrew travel phrasesMore ways to say this
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היי
Hai
HAI
Casual and very common in Israel, including with shop and café staff.
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Hear every phrase in the app.
Crossing has these phrases and hundreds more in 16 languages, side by side, with audio and the replies you're likely to hear back. Compare two languages free, or up to five with Premium.
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