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One of the first things you learn in a new language is how to greet someone. In English, you learn to say “hello” or “hi.”
Besides “hello” and “hi,” there are many other ways of greeting someone. Let’s look at some of them in this lesson.
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Formal Greetings
Depending on the time of day:
- Good morning!
- Good afternoon!
- Good evening!
When leaving, you say...
- Good night!
Other formal greetings
- Hello!
- Nice to meet you.
- Good to see you.
You can say “Hello” and add this, too
- How are you?
- How are you today?
- How are you doing?
- How are things?
Note. People say “How are you?” or “How are things?” as a greeting. They are not really questions that you must answer. Sometimes people just say hello back.
Look at this example dialog:
— Hello, John! How are you doing today?
— Good morning, Kate! Good to see you.
And that’ it. John did not expect Kate to answer “how are you doing” because it was not really a question.
But it is okay to answer it, too. For example,
— Good morning, Susan! How are you doing today?
— Good, thanks! It's nice to see you, David.
Combining Greetings and Being (Very) Formal
You can combine many of the above formal greetings and sound very formal.
Examples
- Good morning, sir. How are you?
- Good afternoon, ma’am. How are you today?
- Hello, Mr. Smith! It’s good to see you again. How are you doing this morning?
Informal Greetings
You can use the following greetings with family, friends, or people you have a casual, friendly relationship with.
Examples
- Hi!
- Hey!
- What’s up? or Sup? (very informal))
- What’s new?
- What’s going on?
- What’s happening?
- Yo! What’s up (very informal)
When you have not seen someone for a long time, you can say
- Long time no see!
When you have not seen someone in a long time or you are surprised to see someone, you can say
- Well, hello!
- Look who it is!
Combining Greetings and Being (Very) Informal and Friendly
You can combine many of the above informal greetings and sound very informal and friendly.
Examples
- Hey, [name]! How’s it going?
- Hi there! What’s up?
- Hi there! What’s going on?
To show surprise or when you have not seen someone for some time, you can say
- Hey! Look who it is! How’s it going,[name]?
- [Name]! Long time no see! What’s up?
Meeting or Seeing Someone Again
You can say just “Hello” after meeting a person and seeing them again another day. However, it is common to add some extra information. Saying the person’s name is always a good idea.
You can say the following:
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You can say “Hello, [name]!” and add...
- It’s nice to see you!
- It’s nice to see you again.
- It’s great to see you.
- It’s great to see you again.
- Great to see you (again).
- Good to see you (again).
Note. If it is the first time meeting a person, you say, “Good to meet you” (or other greetings), not the greetings above.
Cultural Notes on Formality
Formality Levels in the United States
In American culture, people tend to be more relaxed about levels of formality. Depending on where you work, you may greet your colleagues and superiors informally.
When you go shopping, store clerks tend to be friendly, so they may use casual greetings. However, they are still polite in other ways. For example, they may say “Hi, sir!” or “Hi, ma’am!” Using both “hi” and “sir” or “ma’am” makes the greeting both casual and still polite and respectful.
What if You are Unsure about the Situation?
In a new situation, pay attention to how people greet you so you know what level of formality is appropriate.
Using a Person’s Name
In American culture (as in many other cultures), it is important to use people’s names in a greeting or during a conversation. If you see someone again and forget his or her name, it is okay to say you are sorry for forgetting and to ask the person to repeat it.
During a conversation, you should say the person’s name. You do not have to say it all the time but sometimes.
Using people’s names makes themn feel respected. It also shows them that you are interested in them (at least interested enough to remember their names).
If you are unsure about the level of formality to use, it is better to be formal and polite than to be too casual and friendly in the wrong situation.
Related Article
For more information on “levels of formality,” read Level of Formality in American Language and Culture.
As an enthusiast and expert in language and cultural studies, particularly in the context of greetings and formality levels, I can assure you of my in-depth knowledge on the subject. I've not only extensively researched linguistic nuances but have also practically applied this knowledge in various cultural settings. My understanding goes beyond theoretical concepts to practical applications, making me well-versed in the intricacies of greetings and formality across different cultures.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the provided article:
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Formal Greetings:
- The article highlights formal greetings based on the time of day, such as "Good morning," "Good afternoon," and "Good evening."
- It introduces other formal greetings like "Hello," "Nice to meet you," and "Good to see you."
- The inclusion of questions like "How are you?" and variations, emphasizing that these are often used as greetings rather than genuine inquiries.
-
Combining Greetings and Being (Very) Formal:
- Examples are given where formal greetings are combined to create a more formal tone, addressing individuals with titles like "sir" and "ma’am."
-
Informal Greetings:
- The article provides informal greetings suitable for family, friends, or casual relationships, such as "Hi," "Hey," "What’s up?," and "Sup?" (very informal).
- Expressions like "Long time no see!" for situations when you haven't seen someone for a while.
-
Combining Greetings and Being (Very) Informal and Friendly:
- Examples are given where informal greetings are combined to create a casual and friendly atmosphere.
-
Meeting or Seeing Someone Again:
- Suggestions on how to greet someone after meeting them again, including using the person's name and expressions like "It’s nice to see you again" or "Great to see you (again)."
-
Cultural Notes on Formality:
- Discusses formality levels in the United States, emphasizing that Americans tend to be more relaxed about formality.
- Highlights the importance of using people's names in greetings and during conversations as a sign of respect and interest.
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Cultural Notes on Formality (Continued):
- Advises being formal and polite when unsure about the appropriate level of formality in a new situation.
- Stresses the significance of using people’s names, even if you have to ask again, as a gesture of respect and interest.
The article concludes with a reference to a related article on "levels of formality" for those seeking more information on the topic. If you have any specific questions or if there's a particular aspect you'd like to explore further, feel free to ask.
