文化 | Hello China 英文版《你好中国》（01-02）

《你好，中国》选取了100个代表中国传统文化精髓的汉语词汇，从不同侧面反映中国文化的博大精深，加深国外民众对中国和中华文化的了解。

本文分享“文化 | Hello China 英文版“你好中国”（01-02） ”。通过英语学习中国优秀文化，做更好的英语学习者。

01 Introduction to China

02 Ni Hao

The Easiest Way to Say Hello in Chinese

Ni hao (pronounced "nee haow") is the basic, default greeting in Chinese. It is written as 你好 / nǐ hǎo. The literal translation is "you ok/good," but this is the easiest way to say "hello" in Chinese.

Although both words in Pinyin are marked as third tone (nǐ hǎo), the pronunciation changes a bit because two consecutive third tones occur back to back. In this instance, the first word (nǐ) is pronounced with a second tone that rises in pitch instead. The second word (hǎo) keeps the third tone and is pronounced with a "dip," a falling-then-rising tone.

Some people, particularly in Taiwan, choose to enhance the greeting by adding the interrogative "ma" to the end to form "ni hao ma?" Turning "you good" into a question essentially changes the meaning to a friendly "how are you?" But this isn't used as often in Beijing as language guides seem to think it is. When traveling mainland China, a simple ni hao will suffice!

You will probably hear "hi" and "hello" often when being greeting as a Westerner in Beijing. You can reply with ni hao for a little fun and practice.

Saying Hello in Formal Occasions

Following the concept of saving face in Asia, elders and those of higher social status should always be shown a little extra respect. Adding just one additional letter (ni becomes nin)will make your greeting a bit more formal. Use nin hao (pronouned "neen haow") — a more polite variation of the standard greeting — when greeting older people. The first word (nin) is still a rising tone.

You can also make nin hao into "how are you?" by adding the question word ma to the end for nin hao ma?

Simple Responses in Chinese

You can simply respond to being greeted by offering a ni hao in return, but taking the greeting one step further is sure to get a smile during the interaction. Regardless, you should reply with something — not acknowledging someone's friendly ni hao is bad etiquette.

• Hao: good

• Hen Hao: very good

• Bu Hao: not good (bad)

• Xie Xie: thank you (pronounced similar to "zh-yeh zh-yeh" with two falling tones) is optional and can be added to the end.

• Ni ne: and you? (pronounced "nee nuh")

A simple greeting sequence could proceed like this:

You: Ni hao! (hello)

Friend: Ni hao ma? (how are you?)

You: Wo hen hao! Xie xie. Ni ne? (I am very good, thanks. And you?)

Friend: Hao. Xie xie. (Good. Thanks.)

Saying Hello in Formal Occasions

Following the concept of saving face in Asia, elders and those of higher social status should always be shown a little extra respect. Adding just one additional letter (ni becomes nin)will make your greeting a bit more formal. Use nin hao (pronouned "neen haow") — a more polite variation of the standard greeting — when greeting older people. The first word (nin) is still a rising tone.

You can also make nin hao into "how are you?" by adding the question word ma to the end for nin hao ma?

Simple Responses in Chinese

You can simply respond to being greeted by offering a ni hao in return, but taking the greeting one step further is sure to get a smile during the interaction. Regardless, you should reply with something — not acknowledging someone's friendly ni hao is bad etiquette.

• Hao: good

• Hen Hao: very good

• Bu Hao: not good (bad)

• Xie Xie: thank you (pronounced similar to "zh-yeh zh-yeh" with two falling tones) is optional and can be added to the end.

• Ni ne: and you? (pronounced "nee nuh")

A simple greeting sequence could proceed like this:

You: Ni hao! (hello)

Friend: Ni hao ma? (how are you?)

You: Wo hen hao! Xie xie. Ni ne? (I am very good, thanks. And you?)

Friend: Hao. Xie xie. (Good. Thanks.)

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