greeting

17 Useful English Greetings for English Learners

You probably already know “hello” and “how are you?”

However, English speakers don’t always say “hello” and “how are you?”

They also use many other English greetings and expressions to say slightly different things.

You can also use such English greetings to sound more natural, and also to express yourself more clearly and precisely.

Let’s learn how to use some other simple formal and informal English greetings, as well as fun slang expressions that people around the world use to greet each other. Whether you’re an ESL student or a English business professional, we’ve got you covered.
 

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Common English Greetings and Expressions

English-speaking people usually greet each other in an informal way, so you can use these common conversational greetings for friends, family, as well as people you meet in casual settings.

What if you don’t have constant access to English speakers? How can you practice these expressions?

FluentU is a great tool for learning today’s authentic English. FluentU provides real-world English videos, like movie trailers, music videos, inspiring talks and more—that’ve been transformed into a language learning experience.

Each video comes with interactive captions. Just click any unfamiliar word for an instant definition and pronunciation. There are also flashcards and exercises to make sure you remember the words.

It’s a super fun way to learn English the way native speakers really use it.Check out the FluentU free trial and start learning the phrases below (and many more) from real situations.

1. Hey, Hey man, or Hi

You can use “hey” and “hi” to greet someone instead of “hello”. Both are particularly popular among younger people. While “hi” is appropriate to use in any casual situation, “hey” is for people who have already met. If you say “hey” to a stranger, it might be confusing for that person because he or she will try to remember when you met before! You can also add “man” to the end of “hey” when greeting males. Some people also use “hey man” to casually greet younger women, but only do this if you know the woman very well. Remember that “hey” doesn’t always mean “hello”. “Hey” can also be used to call for someone’s attention.

2. How’s it going? or How are you doing?

These are casual ways of asking “how are you?” If you’re trying to be particularly polite, stick with “how are you?” but otherwise, you can use these expressions to greet almost anyone.  The word “going” is usually shortened, so it sounds more like “go-in”. You can answer with “it’s going well” or “I’m doing well” depending on the question.  Although it’s not grammatically correct, most people just answer “good” – and you can too. Like when responding to “how are you?” you can also follow your answer by asking “and you?”.

3. What’s up?, What’s new?, or What’s going on?

These are some other informal ways of asking “how are you?” which are typically used to casually greet someone you have met before. Most people answer with “nothing” or “not much”.  Or, if it feels right to make small talk, you could also briefly describe anything new or interesting that’s going on in your life, before asking “what about you?” to continue the conversation.

4. How’s everything ?, How are things?, or How’s life?

These are some other common ways of asking “how are you?” They can be used to casually greet anyone, but most often they’re used to greet someone you already know. To these, you can answer “good” or “not bad”. Again, if small talk feels appropriate, you could also briefly share any interesting news about your life, and then ask the person “what about you?” or another greeting question.

5. How’s your day? or How’s your day going?

These questions mean “how are you?” not just right now, but how you’ve been all day. You would use these greetings later in the day and with someone you see regularly. For example, you might ask a co-worker one of these questions in the afternoon, or a cashier that you see at the grocery store every evening. “It’s going well” is the grammatically correct response, but many people simply answer with “fine”, “good” or “alright”. By the way, notice that “good”, “fine” or “not bad” are perfect answers to almost any greeting question.

6. Good to see you or Nice to see you

These casual greetings are used with friends, co-workers or family members that you haven’t seen in a while. It’s common for close friends to hug when they greet each other, particularly if they haven’t seen each other in some time; so you might use this greeting along with a hug or handshake depending on your relationship with the person.

7. Long time no see or It’s been a while

These casual greetings are used when you haven’t seen someone in a long time, particularly if you meet that person unexpectedly. How much is a long time? It depends on how often you normally see that person. For example, you could use one of these greetings if you normally see the person every week, but then don’t see them for a few months or more. Usually, these phrases are followed with a question like “how are you”, “how have you been?” or “what’s new?”

Business Greetings and Formal Greetings

It’s best to begin by using formal greetings in most business situations, and then listen to how your co-workers or business partners greet you. It’s a good idea to wait until someone speaks casually with you before you speak casually with them. You may find that people will begin to use casual greetings with you over time, as you get to know each other better. Formal greetings are also used when you meet older people.

8. Good morning, Good afternoon, or Good evening

These are formal ways of saying “hello”, which change depending on the time of day.  Keep in mind that “good night” is only used to say “good bye”, so if you meet someone late in the day, remember to greet them with “good evening”, rather than “good night”. Good morning can be made more casual by simply saying “morning”.  You can also use “afternoon” or “evening” as informal greetings, but these are less commonly used.

9. It’s nice to meet you or Pleased to meet you

These greetings are formal and polite. If you say this to someone when you meet him or her for the first time, it will make you seem courteous. Remember to only use these greetings the first time you meet someone. Next time you see the person you can show that you remember him or her by saying “it’s nice to see you again”.

10. How have you been?

This greeting question is only asked by people who have already met. If someone asks you “how have you been?” they want to know if you have been well since the last time the two of you met.

11. How do you do?

This greeting is VERY formal, and quite uncommon, but it may still be used by some older people. The proper response is “I’m doing well” or, as strange as it seems, some people even ask “how do you do?” right back as an answer.

Slang English Greetings

Slang greetings are extremely informal, and should only be used with people that you know very well, and feel very comfortable with. Keep in mind that a lot of slang is regional, and using Australian slang, for example, in America can sound quite strange. You’ll need to learn the local slang wherever you are, but these common examples will help you get started.

12. Yo!

This extremely informal greeting is common in America. It comes from 1990’s hip-hop slang and these days it’s often used jokingly. This greeting should only be used with very close friends, and never in a business setting.

13. Are you OK?, You alright?, or Alright mate?

This casual way of asking both “hello” and “how are you” is common in Britain. You can respond “yeah, fine”, or simply “alright”.

14. Howdy!

This is a very informal abbreviation of “how do you do?” that is common in certain parts of Canada and the U.S. Keep in mind that if you say “howdy” outside of these regions, you will sound like a cowboy, and it might make the other person laugh.

15. Sup? or Whazzup?

These greetings are abbreviations of “what’s up?” which are common among teenagers. Like with “what’s up?” you can answer “nothing” or “not much”.

16. G’day mate!

This casual greeting is an Australian abbreviation of “good day”.  Keep in mind that Australian greetings often use “ya” instead of “you”. So “how are ya?” is the same as “how are you?”, and “how are ya going?” is basically the same as “how’s it going?” or “how are you doing?”

17. Hiya!

This greeting, short for “how are you?”, is commonly used in certain parts of England. However, you don’t need to actually answer this question – you can just say “hey!” right back.

 Learn English Basics

English Greetings

EVERYDAY GREETINGS | SPECIAL GREETINGS | SHAKING HANDS 
WHAT TO SAY | FORMAL TO INFORMAL

SPONSORED LINKS

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Learn about greetings (requires Real Player).

EVERYDAY GREETINGS

		"Good morning."
		"Good afternoon."
		"Good evening."
		"Goodbye."
	+		"Good night."
	+		"Good night."

SPECIAL GREETINGS

	"Happy Christmas." or  "Merry Christmas."
00.01 - 1st January	"Happy New Year!"
	"Happy Easter."
or etc....	"Good Luck!"
or etc...	"Congratulations!" or  "Well done!"
	"Get well soon."

SHAKING HANDS

	When meeting someone formally for the first time, we shake their hand and say "How do you do?" or "Pleased to meet you." "How do you do?" isn't really a question, it just means "Hello".
	When young people meet informally they sometimes say "Give me five!" and slap their hands together (high five).
	Generally we do not shake hands with people we know well.
Cartoon by Michael Leunig ©  Republished with permission.

NATURALLY SPEAKING

You say hello, and I say goodbye!

Follow the dialogue.

Mr Bean meets Mrs Breuer, one of his students, and her husband in the street.

Mr Bean:	Good morning, Mrs Breuer.
Mrs Breuer:	Good morning, Mr Bean. How are you?
Mr Bean:	I'm fine thanks, and you?
Mrs Breuer:	Not too bad. Mr Bean, this is my husband Michael, Michael this is Mr Bean my English teacher.
Mr Breuer:	Pleased to meet you.
Mr Bean:	Pleased to meet you too. Are you from Germany, Mr Breuer?
Mr Breuer:	Yes, East Germany, from Dresden. And you, are you from London?
Mr Bean:	No, I'm from Derby, but I live in London now.
Mrs Breuer:	Well, goodbye Mr Bean, it was nice to see you.
Mr Bean:	Yes, goodbye.

FORMAL TO INFORMAL GREETINGS AND INTRODUCTIONS

FIRST MEETINGS

	FORMAL	INTRODUCING YOURSELF	INTRODUCING OTHERS	RESPONDING TO AN INTRODUCTION	ON LEAVING
		How do you do? My name is Mrs Hand.	Mrs Hand, may I introduce my boss, Mr Smith.	Pleased to meet youMrs Hand.	Goodbye. It's a pleasure to have met you.
		Hello, Lynne Hand. I'm the owner of this web site.	Lynne, I'd like you to meet John Smith, our salesman. John, this is Lynne Hand.	Pleased to meet you Lynne.	Goodbye. Nice to have met you.
		Lynne Hand.	Lynne, meet John, my husband. John, this is my teacher Lynne.	Hi, Lynne. How are you?	Bye. It was nice to meet you.
	INFORMAL

SUBSEQUENT MEETINGS

	FORMAL	POSSIBLE GREETINGS	POSSIBLE RESPONSES
		Hello, Mrs Hand.  It's nice to see you again.	What a pleasant surprise! How are you? It's been a while.
		Good morning Mrs Hand.  How are you today?	I'm very well thank you.  And you?
		Good afternoon, Mrs Hand.  It's good to see you.	Thank you.  It's nice to see you too.  How are you?
		Hello Lynne.  How are you doing?	Fine thanks.  What's new with you?
		Hi, Lynne! How's it going?	Not too bad, busy as ever.
		Hi, Lynne. How are things?	Oh fine. You know how it is.
	INFORMAL

!Note - on first meeting say, "It's nice to meet you", and when departing "It was nice to meet you". 

For future meetings say, "It's nice to see you again", and when departing, "It was nice to see you again."

British Culture, British Customs and British Traditions

INTRODUCTIONS AND GREETINGS IN ENGLISH

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With dictionary look up. Double click on any word for its definition. 
This section is in advanced English and is only intended to be a guide, not to be taken too seriously! With dictionary look up.

GREETINGS AND INTRODUCTIONS

First impressions are a really important aspect of British culture. Introducing yourself and others in the correct way is fraught with various do's and dont's of etiquette.

Introductions

In social situations, a man is traditionally introduced to a woman. However, in the business world introductions are based on a person's rank or position in an organisation. Whoever is the highest-ranking person is introduced to everyone else in order of their position. If you introduce two people of equal rank to each other, introduce the one you know less well to the one you know best.

Introducing Yourself

There might be occasions where you will have to introduce yourself. For example, if you are meeting a new colleague or an associate, you might start off by extending your hand and saying "Hello! I am .....". If you have been introduced earlier to someone, do not assume that the person would remember you and be prepared to reintroduce yourself should it be necessary. There are some useful tips below.

Greetings

The British do shake hands, i.e. when first introduced to new people, but we rarely shake hands when parting.

In an informal situation you may see social kissing (often just a peck on the cheek), this is acceptable between men and women and also between women who know each other very well, but it is rare that you will see two British men kissing, even if it is only on the cheek.

Useful tips

Introductions are much simpler if you can memorise a few simple rules.

INTRODUCING OTHERS

In business a person of lower rank tends to be introduced to a person of higher rank. In other situations you may find that a younger person would be introduced to an older person and a man introduced to a woman.

INTRODUCING YOURSELF

When shaking hands people may give you their name without saying "Hello" or anything else. It can come across as a bit unfriendly, but it's not considered to be rude

For example:-

• I hold out my hand to you and say, "Lynne Hand."

If you wish to be on first-name terms with someone you can indicate this by stressing your first name:-

For example:-

• "Hello, my name is Lynne. Lynne Hand."

REACTING TO AN INTRODUCTION

The response you give should have the same level of formality as the introduction.

There are some useful English greetings phrases in the basic English section.

You can discuss greetings in your culture on the forum .

Greetings Based On The Time Of Day

There are greetings we can use at particular times of day.

·         Good morning ·         Said before 12:00pm; during the morning ·         Can be formal or informal depending on the situation. You can say,good morningto your employer or you can saygood morningto your mom.	·         Good afternoon ·         Said at or after 12:00pm; during the afternoon ·         Can be formal or informal depending on the situation. ·         However, it is more commonly used in more formal situations.
·         Good evening ·         Said after dark or after the sun has gone done; during the evening ·         This greeting is more formal and not commonly used, but is still acceptable.	·         Good night ·         Said after dark or after the sun has gone done; during the evening ·         This greeting is used when a person is going to sleep. ·         If you are going to bed and there are people you need ·         to say goodbye to, you can saygood night.

Good morningis the most common greeting used depending on the time of day.

Good morningis very often shortened toMorning. This makes the greeting more casual and faster in conversation.

Good nightis not said at just any time during the evening or night but only when you are saying goodbye late at night, or going to bed. If you are meeting someone when it is already dark, you should saygood evening.

Good morning 5:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Good noon 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM. Good afternoon 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM. Good evening 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.21 Jan 2013

A rough guide, however:

~5:00 to ~12:30: Good morning.
~12:30 to ~ 17:00: Good afternoon.
~16:30 to ~5:00: Good evening. (A tricky one. As far as I know, us English speakers don't say "Good night" in greeting, no matter how late in the day it is.)