Hello


in spoken English

hi
used as a friendly greeting when you meet someone, or start a telephone conversation with someone:
Hi, everybody. Welcome to our new home! | Hi, Gwen – did you have a nice weekend?


hello
used when you meet someone, or when you start a telephone conversation with someone:
Hello. Could I speak to someone in customer service, please? | Hello, Mrs Jones. How are you?

warning In everyday English, most people usually say hi because it sounds more friendly. Hello is used especially when talking to people you do not know well.


hey informal especially AmE
used as a friendly greeting when you see someone you know well and you want to start talking to them:
Hey, Scott! Good to see you!


good morning/afternoon/evening
used when meeting someone at a particular time of day:
Morning everyone. Sorry I’m late. | Good morning, class! | Good afternoon, Mr Smith.

warning Good morning etc sounds rather formal. In everyday English, people usually just say Morning! etc, without saying ‘good’.


How are you?
used when you are greeting someone, especially when starting a conversation with them:
‘Hi Helen. How are you?’ ‘I’m fine. And you?’


How are you doing?/How’s it going?/How are things? informal
used when you are greeting someone, especially when starting a conversation with them:
‘Hi, Helen. How are you doing?’ ‘I’m good, thanks. How about you?’ | How’s it going, Tom? I haven’t seen you for a long time!


What’s up?/What’s happening? informal
used when you are greeting someone, especially when starting a conversation with them:
Hey Joey. What’s up, buddy? | Hi, Ray. What’s happening? How are they treating you these days?

warning These phrases sound very informal.


How do you do? formal
used when you meet someone for the first time, especially after you have just been told their name:
‘John, I’d like you to meet our new project manager, Nisha Patel.’ ‘How do you do?’

warning How do you do sounds very formal. These days people often just say hi when meeting someone for the first time.


pleased/good/nice to meet you
used when you meet someone for the first time and have just been told their name:
‘Richard, this is my brother Ronnie.’ ‘Nice to meet you, Ronnie.’ | ‘My name is Lena Curtis.’ ‘Pleased to meet you, I’m David Bennet.