{"id":28779,"date":"2025-06-13T10:31:24","date_gmt":"2025-06-13T14:31:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pimsleur.com\/blog\/?p=28779"},"modified":"2025-06-13T10:31:38","modified_gmt":"2025-06-13T14:31:38","slug":"how-to-say-hello-in-different-languages","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pimsleur.com\/blog\/how-to-say-hello-in-different-languages\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Say \u2018Hello\u2019 in Different Languages"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As far as human expressions go, it doesn’t get much more basic than, \u201cHello!\u201d There are literally thousands of languages across the globe, and each one has its unique way of greeting another person as a simple gesture of goodwill or as the ultimate icebreaker to start a conversation.At Pimsleur, we\u2019ve taught more than a few people to say hello in different languages<\/a> \u2013 and the conversations that follow this universal word. Our learners have acquired endless ways to say hello in different languages from across the globe, so why not share the knowledge? This article will include a hello in different languages list, along with some reasoning on why anyone should be open to learning this word in as many tongues as possible!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Learn to Say Hello in Different Languages?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Why learn a new language? Aside from the personal or professional benefits, people study new languages in order to have conversations with native speakers. And if you\u2019re going to speak with someone from, say, Spain, you have to start the dialogue somehow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What better way to begin the banter than with hello? Whether you\u2019re planning a trip abroad to Europe<\/a> or would like to connect with a friend or relative who speaks another language, you simply HAVE to learn how to say hello \u2013 preferably in many different languages!And once you learn hello, you\u2019re inspired to learn much more. While getting conversations started is important, it\u2019s also critical to keep the discussion flowing. For anyone looking to speak a foreign language conversationally, the Pimsleur Method<\/a> \u2013 our unique, proprietary technique for effective language learning \u2013 can have you speaking a new language conversationally in just weeks. And after your first lesson, you\u2019ll be able to say basic words and phrases\u2026including hello!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Say Hello in Different Languages<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you learn a new language, saying hello is one of the first expressions you\u2019ll acquire. In your native language, uttering this phrase is as natural as breathing. But hello in different languages isn\u2019t exactly second nature for novice learners. That\u2019s just one reason why we\u2019re providing 20 ways to say hello in different languages. Another reason? It\u2019s a sure-fire way to pique curiosity, so you\u2019ll want to learn as much as you can!Without further ado, here\u2019s the classic greeting \u201chello\u201d in multiple languages. For languages that don\u2019t use a Roman alphabet, we\u2019re providing the transliteration – or the approximate pronunciation using Roman characters. Transliteration is italicized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Language<\/td>Hello<\/td>Hi<\/td><\/tr>
French<\/td>Bonjour<\/td>Salut<\/td><\/tr>
Italian<\/td>Salve<\/td>Ciao<\/td><\/tr>
German<\/td>Guten Tag<\/td>Hallo<\/td><\/tr>
Dutch<\/td>Goedendag<\/td>Hoi<\/td><\/tr>
Swedish<\/td>God dag<\/td>Tjena<\/td><\/tr>
Norwegian<\/td>God dag<\/td>Hei<\/td><\/tr>
Polish<\/td>Dzie\u0144 dobry<\/td>Witaj<\/td><\/tr>
Spanish<\/td>Hola<\/td>\u00bfQu\u00e9 tal?<\/td><\/tr>
Portuguese<\/td>Ol\u00e1<\/td>Oi<\/td><\/tr>
Russian<\/td>Zdravstvuyte<\/em><\/td>Privet<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
Ukrainian<\/td>Vitayu <\/em><\/td>Privit <\/em><\/td><\/tr>
Czech<\/td>Dobr\u00fd den<\/td>Ahoj<\/td><\/tr>
Chinese<\/td>N\u01d0n h\u01ceo<\/em><\/td>N\u01d0 h\u01ceo<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
Japanese<\/td>Konnichiwa<\/em><\/td>Y\u0101<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
Arabic<\/td>Asalaam alaikum<\/em><\/td>Ahlan<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
Greek<\/td>Yassas<\/em><\/td>Yassou<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
Hebrew<\/td>Shalom<\/em><\/td>Hey<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
Hindi<\/td>Namaste<\/em><\/td>Hai<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
Swahili<\/td>Shikamoo<\/td>Hujambo<\/td><\/tr>
Korean<\/td>Anyoung haseyo<\/em><\/td>Anyoung<\/em><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Unique Ways to Say Hello Around the World<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The ways to say hello in different languages above are all verbal expressions. In other countries and cultures, greetings expand beyond words into gestures, expressions, and even hand-clapping!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some unique ways locals say hello in different languages and cultures:<\/p>\n\n\n\n