How to say hello and goodbye in English
Hi, how are you?
“Hello, how are you?”
When: Almost everyone: coworkers, cashiers, neighbors, people you just met
The moment
It's your first morning at a coworking space in Brooklyn and the woman at the front desk smiles at you. Greet her, answer when she asks how you are, and say goodbye on your way out.
A1 · Unit 1 · First words
The lines
Hi, how are you?
Americans say "Hi, how are you?" as one quick hello. It is not a real question about your day. Give a short, happy answer and ask back.
Hi, how are you?
“Hello, how are you?”
When to use it: Almost everyone: coworkers, cashiers, neighbors, people you just met
What you’ll hear back: Good, thanks. How are you?
A polite hello by time of day
"Good morning" is a little more polite than "Hi". Use it with a boss, a doctor or a hotel worker before noon. After noon, say "Good afternoon".
Good morning, nice to see you.
“Good morning, I am happy to see you.”
When to use it: Work, hotels, offices and anyone older or in charge, before 12 p.m.
What you’ll hear back: Good morning! Come on in. (Hello, please come inside.)
Words for this scene
| Word or phrase | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Hey, what's up? | HAY, wuh-TSUP | Hi, how is it going? (very casual) |
Hey, what's up? Long time no see. Hi! I have not seen you for a long time. Tip: Answer "Not much!" or "Nothing much, you?", not a full story. | ||
| See you later! | SEE-yuh LAY-der | Goodbye. I will see you again. |
I have to go now. See you later! I must leave now. Goodbye for now! Tip: Americans say it even when they are not sure they will see you again soon. | ||
| Have a good one! | HAV-uh GOOD wun | Goodbye, have a nice day. |
Thanks for your help. Have a good one! Thank you for helping me. Goodbye, I hope your day is nice. Tip: The everyday goodbye to cashiers and strangers; works any time of day. | ||
Your objective
Say hello, ask how they are, and say goodbye properly as you leave.
- a greeting
- asking how they are
- a goodbye
Lines that get it done
- Good morning, nice to see you.
- Hi, how are you?
- See you later! · Goodbye. I will see you again.
In the live scene the objective stays on screen, and the Replay afterwards says whether you got it done.
Check yourself
1. A cashier says "Hi, how are you?" What is the best answer?
- Good, thanks. How are you?
- My back hurts and I slept badly.
- Goodbye, see you later.
- Nice to meet you too.
Show the answer
Good, thanks. How are you?
"How are you?" is a friendly hello. Give a short, positive answer and ask back.
2. You meet your new manager at 9 a.m. What do you say?
- Hey, what's up?
- Good morning, nice to see you.
- Have a good one!
- Good night!
Show the answer
Good morning, nice to see you.
In the morning with a boss, "Good morning" is polite. "What's up?" is for friends, and the others are goodbyes.
3. You are leaving a coffee shop. What can you say to the barista?
- Nice to meet you!
- Good morning!
- Have a good one!
- How are you?
Show the answer
Have a good one!
"Have a good one!" is a friendly goodbye you can say to anyone when you leave.