49 Ways to Say Hello in English With Examples

Looking for ways to say hello in English? Learn 49 greetings to help you greet people confidently in any situation, from formal to casual!

Hello

Hello! Greeting someone is one of the most fundamental aspects of communication. Whether you’re meeting someone for the first time, catching up with an old friend, or starting a formal conversation, saying hello sets the tone for the interaction. In this article, you’ll learn 49 different ways to say hello in English, each with examples to help you use them confidently.

How to Say Hello and What It Means?

Saying hello is a polite way to acknowledge someone’s presence and show you’re open to communication. Hello is the most common and universally recognized way to greet someone in English. It works in almost every context, whether formal or informal, and is understood by English speakers worldwide. It can even work if you’re in a non-English speaking country, although there are many ways to say hello in different languages.

In English, while hello is simple and effective, there are plenty of other ways to greet someone, each with its unique tone and purpose. Some are casual, while others are professional. For example, “Hey” works well with friends, but “Good morning” suits workplaces or formal settings.

Below, we’ll explore ways to say hello and how they adapt to different situations.

Ways to Say Hello in English

This list explores different ways to say goodbye in English, each explained clearly with example sentences and listed alphabetically for easy reference.

Alright

Alright is a casual greeting often used in British English. It’s short, friendly, and doesn’t need much elaboration.

Example: Alright? What’s going on?

Evening

This greeting is a short form of “good evening.” It’s ideal when you meet someone later in the day.

Example: Evening, John! How was your day?

Good Afternoon

Good afternoon is used in the middle of the day, after noon and before evening. It’s a polite and professional way to greet someone.

Example: Good afternoon! Can I help you with something?

Good Day

This greeting is more formal and somewhat old-fashioned. It’s still polite and can add a touch of elegance.

Example: Good day, sir. Welcome to the gallery.

Good Evening

Good evening is used to greet someone in the evening, typically after 5 PM. It’s polite and commonly used in formal situations.

Example: Good evening! How are you doing tonight?

Good Morning

Good morning is a polite and formal way to greet someone during the early part of the day, typically before noon. It’s often used in professional or social settings.

Example: Good morning! I hope you had a nice weekend.

Greetings

Greetings is a formal way to say hello. It’s not commonly used in daily conversations but can appear in letters or speeches.

Example: Greetings! Thank you for joining us today.

Hello

Hello is the most common and versatile way to greet someone in English. It works in almost any situation, whether you’re meeting someone for the first time, starting a phone conversation, or addressing a group. It’s polite, neutral, and universally recognized.

Example: Hello! It’s nice to finally meet you.

Hello Again

Use this when greeting someone you’ve already met recently. It acknowledges the repeated interaction.

Example: Hello again! Did you get a chance to finish the report?

Hello Stranger

Hello stranger is a playful and lighthearted way to greet someone you haven’t seen in a long time. It’s often used when reconnecting with a friend or acquaintance after an extended absence. The phrase conveys a mix of surprise and friendliness, making it perfect for casual settings.

Example: Hello stranger! It’s been ages since we last caught up.

Hello There

Hello there adds a bit of extra friendliness to a basic hello. It’s warm and inviting.

Example: Hello there! Nice to meet you.

Hey

Hey is another informal greeting often used among friends or peers. It can be warm and casual, but tone matters; it might sound rude in formal settings.

Example: Hey! Long time no see.

Hey There

This version of “hey” adds a bit of warmth. It’s still casual and welcoming.

Example: Hey there! Are you coming to the party later?

Hi

Hi is a casual way to say hello. It’s friendly, informal, and often used with friends, family, or people you’re comfortable with. It’s perfect for everyday conversations.

For example: Hi! How’s your day going?

Hi There

Adding “there” to “hi” makes it sound slightly more enthusiastic or friendly.

Example: Hi there! Is everything going okay?

Hiya

Hiya is a cheerful and informal way of saying hello. It’s often used in British English.

Example: Hiya! How’s everything going?

How Are Things?

How are things is a casual way to ask how someone’s life is going. It’s friendly and informal.

Example: How are things? Are you settling into your new job?

How Are You?

How are you is a polite way to check on someone’s well-being. It can be used in both formal and informal settings.

Example: How are you? I haven’t seen you in a while.

How Do You Do?

How do you do is a formal greeting often used in professional or polite social settings. It’s not a literal question and doesn’t require a detailed answer.

Example: How do you do? I’m pleased to meet you.

Howdy

Howdy is a casual, regional greeting often associated with the southern United States. It’s friendly and lighthearted.

Example: Howdy! What brings you to town?

How Have You Been?

How have you been is a polite way to ask how someone has been doing, especially after some time apart.

Example: How have you been? It’s been ages since we last talked.

How’s It Going?

How’s it going is a friendly and informal way to ask how someone is doing. It’s often used in casual settings.

Example: How’s it going? Everything alright?

How’s Life?

How’s life is a casual way of asking how someone is doing. It often implies curiosity about their general situation.

Example: How’s life? You seem really busy these days.

Long Time No See

Long time no see is used when you haven’t seen someone in a while. It’s friendly and informal.

Example: Long time no see! How have you been?

Morning

Morning is a shorter, casual version of good morning. It’s often used with friends or colleagues.

For example: Morning! Did you sleep well?

Nice to Meet You

Nice to meet you is used when meeting someone for the first time. It’s polite and friendly.

Example: Nice to meet you! I’ve heard great things about you.

Pleased to Meet You

This greeting works when meeting someone for the first time. It’s polite and formal.

Example: Pleased to meet you, Mr. Johnson. I’ve heard so much about your work.

Pleasure to Meet You

Pleasure to meet you is a slightly more formal version of nice to meet you. It’s used in formal introductions.

Example: Pleasure to meet you! Let’s stay in touch.

Salutations

“Salutations” is an old-fashioned and formal way to say hello. It’s rare but can be fun in unique settings.

Example: Salutations, my friend! What a delightful surprise to see you here.

Top of the Morning to You

Top of the morning to you is an old-fashioned and cheerful way to greet someone, often associated with Irish culture.

Example: Top of the morning to you! How’s everything?

You Alright?

You alright is a common informal greeting in British English. It’s often used casually among friends or acquaintances.

Example: You alright? You look a bit tired.

Welcome

“Welcome” is warm and inviting, often used to greet someone entering a place or group.

Example: Welcome! We’re so glad you could join us.

What’s Up?

What’s up is a casual way of asking how someone is or what they are doing. It’s informal and popular among friends.

Example: What’s up? Are you free later?

Slang Ways to Say Hello in English

Slang greetings add a fun, informal twist to your conversations. These phrases are perfect for casual settings, friendly chats, or showing off some cultural flair. By using slang, you can sound more relaxed and approachable while connecting with others on a personal level. Here are some popular slang ways to say hello, explained with examples to help you use them naturally.

Ahoy

“Ahoy” is an old-fashioned greeting often associated with sailors. It’s playful and rarely used in modern conversation, but it can add a fun twist to casual interactions.

Example: Ahoy, matey! Ready for the big adventure today?

Aloha

Aloha is a Hawaiian greeting that means hello and goodbye. It’s often used in casual, friendly settings and conveys warmth.

Example: Aloha! Welcome to the party.

Ayyo

Ayyo is a casual and playful greeting, often used among friends to grab attention or start a conversation.

Example: Ayyo! What’s going on?

Bonjour

This word is borrowed from French and means “good day.” While not common in daily English conversations, it’s used humorously or to sound fancy.

Example: Bonjour! How’s the croissant search going this morning?

Boo

Boo is a slang greeting that can be playful or endearing, often used between close friends or romantic partners.

Example: Hey boo! How’s your day?

Ciao

Another borrowed greeting, this time from Italian. “Ciao” is informal and stylish, commonly used in casual settings.

Example: Ciao! It’s great to see you again.

Dawg

Dawg is a casual and friendly greeting popular in some communities, particularly in American slang.

Example: What’s up, dawg? How’s it hanging?

Fam

Fam is short for “family” and is used to greet close friends or loved ones with affection.

Example: Yo fam! What’s good?

G’day

G’day is an Australian slang way to say hello. It’s informal and friendly, perfect for casual conversations.

Example: G’day! How’s it going?

Heya

Heya is a cheerful and informal greeting, often used as a casual way to say hello to friends.

Example: Heya! What’s new with you?

Hola

Hola is the Spanish word for hello but is often used informally in English conversations to add a fun twist.

For example: Hola! How have you been?

Howzit

Howzit is a slang greeting from South Africa and parts of the Caribbean. It combines “how is it” into one word.

Example: Howzit! Ready for the weekend?

Namaste

Borrowed from Hindi, “Namaste” is a respectful greeting often used in yoga or spiritual contexts.

Example: Namaste. Welcome to your first yoga session.

Oi

Oi is a casual greeting used in some parts of the UK and Australia. It’s informal and slightly cheeky.

Example: Oi! Over here!

Sup

Sup is a very casual and shortened version of what’s up. It’s popular in informal settings, especially among younger people.

Example: Sup? Ready for the game?

Yo

Yo is a laid-back and popular slang greeting, often used among friends or in casual settings.

Example: Yo! What’s happening?

Conclusion

Now you know 49 different ways to say hello in English, from formal greetings to playful slang. By using these greetings, you can adjust your tone and formality depending on the situation. Whether you’re meeting someone for the first time, catching up with friends, or just trying something new, they’ll help you connect and express yourself in unique ways.

The next time you start a conversation, experiment with different ways to say hello. It’s a great way to practice English and show your confidence. With these phrases in your toolkit, you’ll always have the perfect greeting for any occasion. Happy speaking!

And, if you’ve mastered how to say hello, you might be interested in learning the different ways to say goodbye in English.

Got any questions about these greetings or their use? Feel free to get in touch and don’t be afraid to say hello!

James Prior

Similar Posts

Disclosure: Our content is reader-supported. This means if you click on some of our links, then we may earn a commission. See how DoTEFL is funded, why it matters, and how you can support us. 

Leave a Reply