Hi, hello, or hey?
- Hi is the everyday greeting, fine with almost anyone: friends, coworkers, a cashier.
- Hello is a little more neutral or formal. It is also how people answer the phone.
- Hey is casual, for friends and people your age. With a stranger it can sound like you want their attention ("Hey! You dropped this.").
- Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening are polite and common at work, in shops, and in emails.
Add the person’s name to sound warmer: "Hi, Sarah!"
"How are you?" is part of the hello
In American English, How are you?, How’s it going?, and How are you doing? are usually part of the greeting, not a real question. A cashier who asks does not expect a long answer.
Answer briefly and ask back:
- "Good, thanks. How are you?"
- "Pretty good. You?"
- "Not bad. How about you?"
Save a real answer ("Honestly, I’m exhausted") for friends who clearly want to know.
What’s up? is very casual. The usual answer is "Not much. You?", not a description of your day.
Good or well?
In everyday American English, "I’m good" is the normal answer to "How are you?". "I’m well" is also correct and sounds a little more formal. Both are fine.
Nice to meet you, nice to see you
- Nice to meet you is only for the first time you meet someone. The reply is "Nice to meet you too" or "You too".
- Nice to see you or Good to see you is for people you already know.
- Long time no see is a casual greeting for someone you haven’t seen for a long time.
When you meet someone in a work setting, a handshake is common in the US; hugs are for friends and family.
Saying goodbye
- Bye and See you are the everyday goodbyes. Goodbye in full can sound final or formal.
- See you later does not have to mean later today; it is just a friendly goodbye.
- Take care and Have a nice day are polite ways to end a conversation, often with people you don’t know well.
- Good night is only a goodbye, used in the evening or before sleep. To greet someone in the evening, say good evening or just hi.
Common mistakes
- Answering "How are you?" in detail to a stranger. A short "Good, thanks" is expected.
- Saying "Good night" as a hello when you arrive somewhere in the evening.
- "Nice to meet you" to someone you already know. Use "Nice to see you".
- Not returning the question. After "Good, thanks", add "How are you?" or "You?"