Chinese Greetings

Chinese people greets each other in a park

In China, a handshake or a simple and kind salutation is a common greeting form. Differently, many western countries accept hugs and kisses as a popular form although a handshake is still the formal way when greeting people.
 

A form of address is to some extent a reflection of social climate. In China, various forms of address are used according to circumstances. Choosing the appropriate and correct form shows your wit and high respect to others. Generally, for Chinese people it should be in accord with convention and care much about the personal favor of the people being addressed. There are four main categories:

Job Title: You can call someone directly by his job title or put it before his surname or full name. This is often used in the workplace and on more formal occasions:

Chinese Pinyin	Chinese	The same meaning in English
Hu Zhu Xi	胡主席	President Hu
Zhang Jing Li	张经理	Manager Zhang
Liu Zhu Ren	刘主任	Director Liu

To address based on professional qualifications, which expresses respect to those being addressed:

Pinyin	Chinese	The same meaning in English
Li Jiao Shou	李教授	Professor Li
Wang Lu Shi	王律师	Lawyer Wang
Zhao Gong Cheng Shi	赵工程师	Engineer Zhao

An address based on educational qualifications is helpful to emphasize the academic authority of the people being addressed:

Pinyin	Chinese	The same meaning in English
Yang Bo Shi	杨博士	Dr. Yang
Gao Shuo Shi	高硕士	Master Gao
Ma Xue Shi	马学士	Bachelor Ma

To address based on professions:

Pinyin	Chinese	The same meaning in English
Wang Lao Shi	王老师	Teacher Wang
Zhang Yi Sheng	张医生	Docotor Zhang
Liu Jing Guan	刘警官	Officer Liu

Generally, you can call others by their family name or full name by putting the Mr. or Ms. in front. This is the general address most widely used in company, hotels, stores, restaurants, karaoke, bars and other places.

You can use a person's full name or family name when addressing acquaintances, good friends and colleagues, or only the surname proceeded by an informal title which indicates his age:

Pinyin	Chinese	Meaning in English	Note
Lao Li	老李	Elder Li	A person older than yourself
Xiao Wang	小王	Younger Wang	A person younger than yourself

 

A smile, good eye contact and politeness are expressions of sincerity. These are the beginning of communication. Just like westerners, the Chinese usually pass the time of day with one another as a precursor to getting to the point of a conversation or presentation.

Different conditions require different styles in which conversational greetings may be exchanged. When you meet someone for the first time, the most commonly-used words are:

Chinese Pinyin	Chinese	The same meaning in English
Ni Hao	你好	Hello/Hi
Hen Gao Xing Ren Shi Ni	很高兴认识你	Glad to see you. / Nice to meet you.
Xing Hui (more formal )	幸会	How do you do?

For greeting acquaintances, the words will be more informal and friendly like the following:

Pinyin	Chinese	Meaning in English
Hao Jiu Bu Jian	好久不见	Long time no see!
Ni Qi Se Bu Cuo	你气色不错	You look very well today!
Chi Le Ma	吃了吗	Have you had your meal?
Mang Shen Me Ne	忙什么呢？	What are you busying doing these days?
Zui Jin Ru He	最近如何？	How are you doing recently?
Shen Ti Zen Me Yang	身体怎么样？	How are you feeling? / How are you?
Jia Ren Dou Hao Ba	家人都好吧？	How is your family?
Qu Na'er	去那儿啊？	Where are you going?
Shang Ban Qu Ma	上班去吗？	You are going to work?
Jin Tian Feng Hen Da	今天风很大	The wind is so strong today.
Ni Nu Er Zhen Ke Ai	您女儿真可爱	Your daughter is so lovely!

This phatic communion is a salutation without expectation of a response, the question being rhetorical. However, it should be compact, friendly and respectful. It is improper to ask about the personal affairs of other people, for delving into another's privacy is considered to be discourteous. Remember always to be active, passionate, natural and attentive when greeting others.

 Further Reading : Chinese Names