20 Easy English Greetings – Learn To Greet Like A Native Speaker

Have you ever wondered about the many exciting ways to say hello in English? Greetings are like magical words that open doors to new connections and friendships. In this helpful guide, we will walk together through the world of English greetings, step by step, to help you learn how to greet like a native speaker. It doesn’t matter if you’re meeting new people, exploring the world, or just having a chat with a friend, this article is here to make saying hello easy!

FORMAL ENGLISH GREETINGS

1. Good Morning

This greeting is used in the morning until around noon. It’s perfect for starting the day off on a positive note and showing politeness.

Example sentences:

“Good morning! How did you sleep?”
“I wanted to wish you a good morning and a great day ahead.”

2. Good Afternoon

Say this from noon until late afternoon. It’s a respectful way to acknowledge the time of day and greet someone.

Example sentences:

“Good afternoon! Have you had lunch yet?”
“I hope you’re having a productive afternoon!”

3. Good Evening

This greeting is suitable for the evening, typically from around 5 pm onwards. It’s a polite way to greet someone as the day transitions into night.

Example sentences:

“Good evening! How was your day?”
“Good evening. I hope you’re enjoying your evening so far.”

4. How Do You Do?

A formal greeting is often used in more professional or elegant settings. It’s a bit old-fashioned but still appreciated in certain situations.

Example sentences:

“How do you do? It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“I must say, how do you do? I’ve heard a lot about you.”

5. It’s a Pleasure to Meet You

This phrase expresses genuine happiness in meeting someone for the first time. It’s suitable for formal introductions and shows respect.

Example sentences:

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard wonderful things about your work.”
“Allow me to introduce myself, I’m Steve. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

6. Good Day

This greeting is a polite and versatile option for any time during the day. It’s suitable for more formal settings and conveys well wishes.

Example sentences:

“Good day! I hope your tasks are going smoothly.”
“Wishing you a good day ahead!”

7. Greetings

A straightforward and formal way to say hello. It’s a concise choice for professional encounters.

Example sentences:

“Greetings! How may I assist you today?”
“My greetings to you and your team.”

8. Nice to Meet You

A friendly and courteous way to express pleasure in making someone’s acquaintance. Used when meeting someone for the first time or during introductions.

Example sentences:

“Hello, nice to meet you. I’m excited to collaborate.”
“Nice to meet you at last. Your reputation precedes you.”

9. How Are You Doing?

A more formal version of “How are you?” demonstrates genuine interest. Suitable for professional and polite interactions.

Example sentences:

“How are you doing today? Your insights are highly regarded.”
“How are you doing? Your contributions to the project have been impressive.”

10. I Trust You Are Well

A formal and courteous way to open a message or conversation. Often used in written communication, such as emails.

Example sentences:

“I trust you are well. I’d like to discuss the upcoming presentation.”
“I hope this message finds you well. Let’s schedule a meeting.”

11. Allow Me to Introduce Myself

A formal way to introduce yourself to someone new. Used when you want to establish a professional connection.

Example sentences:

“Allow me to introduce myself. I’m the new project manager.”
“May I introduce myself? I’m the senior consultant for this project.”

INFORMAL ENGLISH GREETINGS

12. Hello

The most common and versatile greeting is suitable for various situations. It’s friendly and can be used with anyone.

Example sentences:

“Hello! How’s your day going?”
“Just wanted to pop in and say hello!”

13. Hey

This is a common casual English greeting to greet friends or even a stranger in an informal way.

Example sentence:

“Hey, how’s it going?”

14. Hi

This is a casual way to greet friends and acquaintances.

Example sentence:

“Hi there! What’s new?”

15. What’s Up?

An informal greeting that also asks about someone’s well-being. It’s like saying, “How are you? What’s happening?”

Example sentences:

“Hey, what’s up? Long time no see!”
“What’s up? Ready for the weekend?”

16. Hello

The most common and versatile greeting is suitable for various situations. It’s friendly and can be used with anyone.

Example sentences:

“Hello! How’s your day going?”
“Just wanted to pop in and say hello!”

17. Yo

Very casual ways to say hello, often used among very close friends wanting to sound cool.

Example sentences:

“Yo! Guess what happened yesterday?”

18. Heyya / Hiya

Very casual ways to say hello, often used among close friends. “Heyya” is like an enthusiastic wave.

Example sentences:

“Heyya! Let’s catch up soon!”
“Hiya! Great to see you again!”

19. Howdy

This is a friendly and informal way of saying “hello.” It’s often used in American English, especially in Southern regions, to greet someone in a casual and welcoming manner. It’s like giving a warm and cheerful hello to a friend or acquaintance.

Example sentence:

“Howdy! Haven’t seen you in a while. How have you been?”

20. Hello stranger!

This is a playful and light-hearted expression used when you meet someone you haven’t seen in a long time, or even someone you’ve never met before. It’s like a friendly way of acknowledging their absence and breaking the ice with a touch of humor.

Example sentence:

“Well, hello stranger! I almost didn’t recognize you with that new haircut.”

Conclusion

Think of English greetings as your special tools for making friends and being polite. Whether you’re meeting new people, talking on the phone, or sending messages, the right greeting helps things start off nicely.

Imagine walking into a big room and saying “Good morning” to everyone. It’s like giving a sunny smile to the day. Or meeting a new friend and saying “What’s up?” It’s like asking, “How’s everything going?”

And don’t forget the simple “Hello” – it works anytime, anywhere. Whether you’re at school, playing with friends, or even meeting important people, you’ve got the perfect greeting ready.

So, get out there and use those English greetings with confidence! Whether you’re in a meeting, having a chat online, or simply saying hi to your pals, you’re an expert in greetings. And if you want to take your skills even further, consider practicing your English greetings in one-to-one lessons with native speakers on TellClass.com. It’s like having your very own coach to help you shine in conversations. Keep spreading those hellos – you’re truly the master of greetings!