123 Cool And Different Ways To Say Hello And Greet People

Here is a simple trick to stand out when greeting someone – try different ways to say hello! If we meet someone new or after a while, we try to be enthusiastic about our conversation. We typically say ‘Hello!’, ‘How are you?’ or a casual ‘What’s up?’. The only problem with that is that they are extremely boring, as you might expect. Even the usual good morning, good afternoon, and good evening can sound monotonous. It is usually easier to get people’s attention when you greet them funnily and uniquely. If you have trouble coming up with ideas, we have you covered. There is no need to spend all your brainpower trying to make a lasting impression every time you meet someone. Even a simple greeting can be humorous if said in a particular way. Try the following ways to say hello to entertain your friends!
a. Put on an accent – Use a funny or foreign accent while greeting.
b. Use silly voices – This can be entertaining, especially when you talk to a child.
c. Use an impersonation of someone – This will make your greeting even funnier!
d. Tell a joke – Laughter always wins hearts.
e. Greet in a foreign language – Switch it up by greeting in a foreign language, and be classy!
It is time to give the traditional greetings and conversations a rest! Instead, take a look at these ideas and get creative. Hopefully, this list of fun and quirky greetings will help you sound less generic. Continue reading for more inspiration!

Trivia

World Hello Day is celebrated on the 21st of November every year to celebrate peace and the importance of resolving issues through open communication.

Different Ways To Say Hello To People

When it comes to saying hello, context is everything! The way you greet someone can set the tone for the conversation. Choosing the right greeting depends on whether you are at a formal meeting, hanging out with friends, or having fun with playful interactions. Instead of just saying the same boring ‘hello!’ you can explore funny ways to describe yourself. Or, you can just tweak your ‘hello’ in ear-catching ways. Check some interesting ways here!

Informal Ways To Say Hello To People

When you are meeting your friend, greeting your lover, or catching up with your siblings- a boring ‘hello’ is not ideal. Add a quirky feel to your greetings by integrating silly comments or maybe exaggerating praises to create a relaxed atmosphere. These greetings help you instantly connect with people and make them feel homely and at ease. We have listed a few examples of informal greetings below. They are fun, quirky, and lovely. Check them out.

1. Hello, sunshine! How are you? Oh, your rays are already making my day brighter!
2. Howdy, partner!
3. Hey, howdy, hi! How is it going?
4. What’s kicking, little chicken?
5. Howdy-doody! Tell me what’s new!
6. Hey there, freshman! Wassup? (While at high school or university).
7. My name is (your name), and I think we can be great friends!
8. Hi, mister! What is going on?
9. I come in peace! Chow chow.
10. Ahoy, matey!
11. Hiya! Hi!
12. Hello, governor!
13. Top of the morning to ya! What’s going on?
14. What’s cracking, bestie?
15. GOOOOOD MORNING (the name of the person you are greeting)!

16. Wassup, homey?
17. Tring tring…this call may or may not be recorded for training purposes.
18. Howdy, howdy, howdy, mister!
19. Strangers are just friends we’ve never met. So hey! Wassup friend?
20. Hi! At least we meet for the first time for the last time!
21. Hello-hello! Who’s there? It’s me (your name) talking.
22. Knock knock…(who is there?) It’s me, (your name)!
23. Ghostbusters, watcha want?
24. Yo! Wassup.
25. Whaddup bro?
26. Greetings and salutations, my man/woman!
27. ‘Ello, matey. Wassup?
28. Hiiiii, baaaaaby!
29. Hi, honey bunch!
30. Yoooouhoooo! Toodle doo, toodle dum.

31. How you doin’?
32. Hello Queen! Your entire look screams “slay”!
33. What’s cookin’, good lookin’?
34. Howdy, missus! How are ya?
35. Hello there, daddycool!
36. Hey, boo. Wacch ya doing? You just brightened up my day!
37. Bing bing! How’s it going?
38. Good day, young man!

39. Morning! So good to see ya, good looking!
40. Hello! There is my pumpkin! I miiiissed you
41. What’s up with you, old soul? Wanna chat?
42. Hello belle! You are glowing!
43. Hey, munchkin! Why so chweet?
44. Hey, hiiii. How is your weekend going? Mine just got better.
45. Hey there, sunshine! Your rays have already brightened my day! How are ya?
46. Hey love!
47. Hi, cutie pie, sugar bun!
48. This is where my bae is at!
49. Hi, butterfly! Holaaa!
50. Wassup, homie? How’s it going?
51. Hello, babycakes! How are you?!
52. Just where have you been all my life?
53. Tough day? Need a hug?

54. Waddup chica!
55. Welcome to the club, boss!
56. Hey homey! Welcome!
57. Hey beautiful!
58. Here comes the sun!
59. Whatcha up to, dude?
60. Bro, hey, how are you doing?
61. Hi, lost buddy! Long time no see!
62. Yo man, where were you?
63. How are you doing, old man?
64. How have you been, crazy coo?
65. What’s sizzling?
66. Hey mistaa, how do you do?
67. What’s new? Tell me everything!
68. Whazzup?

69. What’s good in the hood?
70. Namaste! How long has it been, dost? (
71. How are things going, bandhu?
72. Sup!
73. How farest thou?
74. Hi homey! How’s life treating you?
75. What’s up, buttercup?
76. Hi, I just met you, and yes, this is crazy. Here’s my number – call me, maybe?

77. ‘Sup, my homeslice?
78. Hey bud! Mind if we catch up? I saw you like eons ago.
79. How is life sailing?
80. Hey Einstein, still cracking the old theory?
81. What’s the word, hummingbird?
82. What’s smokin’? Tell your pal everything!
83. Hey friend! What’s the latest buzz in your world?

In the next section, we have explored how people greet each other in different languages. Check them out to improve your cultural awareness and make meaningful connections everywhere you go.

How To Say Hello In Different Languages

Greeting someone in their native language shows your respect and true appreciation for the person. It helps you bridge the cultural barrier and engage with people from diverse communities openly. Each greeting stands as a polite way to acknowledge someone’s presence and start an interesting conversation. They represent the cultures’ values of building hospitality and establishing rapport. Below, we have put together a few ways of saying ‘hello’ in different languages. Have a look.

84. Aloha princess! (Hawaiian)
85. Hola paapi! (Spanish)
86. Que pasa, madam! (Spanish)
87. Bonjour monsieur! (French)
88. Hallo miss! (German)
89. Ciao babydoll! (Italian)
90. Konnichiwa! (Japanese)
91. Ogenki desu ka? (Japanese)
92. Comment allez-vous? (French)
93. Ni hao ma? (Chinese)
94. Como estas? (Spanish)
95. Jal jinaess-eoyo? (Korean)
96. Wagwan? (Jamaican)
97. Ua mai oe? (Samoan)
98. Pos eisai? (Greek)
99. Come va? (Italian)
100. Habari yako? (Swahili)
101. Como voce esta? (Portuguese)

Check out the next section for positive and considerate ways to say hello to people.

Classy Ways To Say Hello To People

Greetings can set the tone for a conversation and opting for a more sophisticated approach can make a lasting impression. These warm greetings can make people feel special and appreciated while being courteous in your interactions. They are best used in semi-formal or elegant occasions such as dinner parties or family reunion events. They make the recipient feel valued and comfortable and help you make a refined impression. Read on.

102. Pleasure to see you.
103. It’s a delight to see you.
104. Wishing you a splendid day.
105. How is the world treating you?
106. I hope your day is off to a wonderful start.
107. Hope you are having a beautiful day.
108. Buenos dias.
109. Well met, kind soul.
110. Greetings and good vibes.
111. Greetings and good tidings.
112. Warmest regards to you.
113. Hoping your day is as lovely as your smile.

Next, we have provided some greeting examples that are perfectly suited for formal settings. Take a look.

Formal Ways To Say Hello To People

A formal greeting can set the right tone when you want to make a great first impression. It is suitable in situations where professionalism and courtesy are primary such as business meetings, formal social occasions (weddings or Galas), religious ceremonies, and interactions with public officials. Additionally, a formal greeting is the only way of greeting in professionally written correspondence such as emails or letters. Check out these polished ways to say hello to show respect and professionalism.

114. Pleased to meet you.
115. It’s nice to meet you.
116. Hello. It’s a pleasure to meet you.
117. It’s good to see you again.
118. It’s good to meet you again.
119. Hello. How have you been?
120. Hi. How’s your day going?
121. How are you doing today?
122. Hello, How have you been?
123. Good morning. How do you do?

Marijana, a blogger, shared her experience of living in the quiet town of Makarska and how she greeted people around her apartment building. She shared, “But I know that as soon as I walk down the street, I will cross paths with a stranger, we will look at each other, smile, and say: Bok (i)!”

You might have noticed that nowadays, people would rather look down at their phones, pretending to do something important, just to avoid saying something as simple as a greeting to other people. This is applicable to strangers and acquaintances as well! Greeting people nicely is a common courtesy slowly fading away as we become increasingly obsessed with social media.

In the virtual world, we are so used to talking to people electronically and impersonally that we have forgotten how to do it face-to-face. Just admit it, when a friendly stranger simply smiles and says hello as s/he walks by you, it makes your day just a little bit better. So, pass the kindness on!

Fun Fact

Some of the most popular songs containing the word “hello” are “Hello” by Lionel Ritchie, “Hello, Beautiful” by Jonas Brothers, and “Hey There Delilah” by Plain White T’s.

In the next section, we have explored some common physical gestures that accompany usual greetings to convey respect, warmth, and affection. Check out the non-verbal cues and their cultural significance below.

Non-Verbal Cues That Accompany Greetings In Certain Cultures

These cues play a crucial role in different cultures, symbolizing warmth, hospitality, and respect. From a simple handshake to a friendly air kiss on the cheek, these gestures allow people to welcome others with affection and connect with them deeply. Take a look at these gestures below.

• Stick Out Your Tongue: This way of greeting someone is especially popular in Tibet. Its history dates back to more than 1000 years. There was a bad king named Lang Darma who had a black tongue. Buddhist monks stick out their tongues to show they are not the reincarnation of the king. This gesture, although might come across as disrespectful, to the Tibetans, is a sign of peace.
• Bump Noses: In countries like Yemen, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Oman, people meet and bump their noses as a sign of bonding and appreciation for each other. Rubbing noses and shaking hands simultaneously is also pretty common there. However, this type of greeting is usually limited to people of the same sex.
• Air Kiss On The Cheeks: This way of greeting is common in many countries like Argentina, Peru, Columbia, Brazil, and Mexico. However, there are certain gender rules that come into play. For example, women usually air-kiss women three times, men can air-kiss women either once or twice. However, when the greetings are between men, they brush their cheeks or limit themselves to shaking hands.
• Rub Noses: In New Zealand, people come close and press their foreheads and noses together. In their Indigenous Maori culture, it symbolizes the ‘sharing of breath’. It represents the concept of welcoming someone into the Maori community. This custom is also famous in Canada and Greenland, where two people come close and say hello while feeling each other’s breath. In Tuvadu, relatives place their cheeks against one another and inhale deeply. All these gestures signify unity and togetherness.
• Shake Hands: This is the most widely used form of greeting. In North America and Europe, people prefer holding hands firmly and shaking them, whereas, Asian folks prefer a lighter touch. In Ethiopia, people tend to shake hands for a long time, even while engaging in discussions. Kenyans also use this way a lot. However, young people use their left hand to shake elders’ hands as a sign of respect. In the Philippines, people shake hands while bowing, while in Malaysia, there is a slight modification of this gesture. You will find people holding the other party’s hand with two hands and even bowing. This is done to denote deep appreciation and respect.
• Clap Your Hands: This fun way is super popular in Zimbabwe. Usually, one party claps once, and the other responds by clapping twice. Men clap with their fingers while their hands are aligned. On the other hand, women clap with their hands at an angle. In Mozambique, too, this gesture is common. However, people there, clap thrice before saying ‘moni’ (Hello).
• Put Your Hand On Your Heart: This is a traditional Malaysian greeting that symbolizes goodwill. First, people hold each other’s hands. Then, they leave the hands and bring their own hand onto their chest while nodding slightly. The other person also returns the gesture to express their open heart.
• Fold Your Hand And Bow: This greeting is popular in India, Cambodia, Laos, and Nepal. People press their palms together in a prayer position at the heart level and bow slightly. This sign indicates their gratitude and deep respect.
• Sniff Faces: This tradition is common in Greenland but only limited to close family and friends. People place their noses and upper lips against the other person’s cheek and sniff slightly. It represents love and dedication.

Infographic: How To Say Hello To Folks In Different Countries So That You’re Remembered

The world is our oyster, and a beautiful place it is. There are several countries with innumerable cultures. While we are habituated to just saying ‘hello’ when we meet our acquaintances or friends, that may not be the case across the world’s nations. What if you travel to a different land tomorrow? How can you greet the locals there and build bonds that last? The following infographic makes it easy for you – by telling you how you can greet people in different countries.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you say ‘hello’ in American slang?

Phrases like ‘yo,’ ‘’sup,’ and ‘hey, there’ are used instead of ‘hello’ in American slang.

How do British people say ‘hello’?

The British use phrases like ‘alright,’ ‘How you doing?,’ ‘What’s happening?,’ and ‘Hello, mate.’ to say ‘hello.’

How do you greet your crush?

You should greet them politely like a friend and address them by their name.

What is a Greek hello?

People greet each other with a ‘yassas’ or a more informal ‘yassou’ in Greece.

How do you say ‘hi’ in Korean?

You can greet someone with ‘annyeong haseyo’ or a more casual ‘annyeong.’

How do you pronounce ‘hello’ in Russian?

You can use ‘privyet’ or ‘zdraste’ for informal greetings in Russian.

Learn 30 diverse ways to say hello. Enhance your communication skills and make a lasting impression. Take a look.

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Chris Rabanera Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist

     

Chris Rabanera is a licensed marriage and family therapist who provides online therapy in California, Michigan, and Nevada. With over a decade's worth of experience, he specializes in working with high performers, such as physicians, dentists, lawyers, business owners, management, and individuals in the tech industry.

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Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

 

Sneha has a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, a professional Relationship Coach diploma, and over four years of experience in writing. She writes about relationships and lifestyle.Sneha began her career as an instructional designer, shifted to freelance technical and research writing, and self-published a novella on the theme of adolescent mental health.

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