Greetings & Polite Expressions

A useful general greeting, especially when meeting someone or starting a conversation.

您 is a respectful form of "you." Use it when a more respectful greeting suits the situation; it is not required in every conversation.

Used in the morning. You may also hear the shorter greeting 早.

A greeting when meeting someone in the evening. It is different from 晚安 ("good night"), which is often used before sleep or when ending an evening conversation.

Replace the dots with your name. You can use your usual name; you do not need a Chinese name to introduce yourself.

Useful in introductions. A polite way to begin is to introduce yourself before asking the other person's name.

Use when meeting someone for the first time.

The second 谢 is neutral tone in this expression.

A common response to 谢谢.

Use to apologize for a mistake or inconvenience. In this common expression, 不 is shown with neutral tone. Do not label it as bú because it comes before a third tone.

A common reassuring response to an apology; it does not mean "you're welcome" in every context.

In polite requests, 请 often comes before the action. It is not an exact replacement for "please" in every English sentence.

Use to introduce a question politely. The dots in the English explanation indicate that a question follows; the Chinese expression itself is simply 请问.

Useful for small apologies, interruptions, or embarrassment. The translation depends on the situation.

A general way to say goodbye.

Use when you expect to meet again tomorrow.

Use when you expect to meet again soon, rather than as a general promise to meet someday.

Often used before going to sleep or to end an evening conversation. Do not use it as the equivalent of "good evening" when arriving.