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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing a polite "hello" with 您好 (nínhǎo)

    Manner & Method
    Topic & Focus

    Structure

    您好

    Explanation

    The greeting 您好 (nínhǎo) is the polite form of 你好, using the honorific pronoun 您 instead of 你. It is used in formal situations, when addressing elders, or when showing extra respect to someone you are meeting. It is one of the most common polite greetings in Chinese.

    Examples

    • 您好，请问这里是人事部吗？

      Nín hǎo, qǐngwèn zhèlǐ shì rénshì bù ma?

      Hello, excuse me, is this the Human Resources department?

    • 您好，我想预约下周三的门诊。

      Nín hǎo, wǒ xiǎng yùyuē xià zhōusān de ménzhěn.

      Hello, I'd like to make an appointment for the outpatient clinic next Wednesday.

    • 您好，请问我可以坐这儿吗？

      Nín hǎo, qǐngwèn wǒ kěyǐ zuò zhèr ma?

      Hello, excuse me, may I sit here?

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    Expressing a polite "hello" with 您好 (nínhǎo) | Chinese Grammar