There’s something magical about the simple act of saying hi. One small word — and suddenly, we’re connected. But hi is just one flavor of greeting! We all say hi in wonderfully different and delightful ways around the world and across time. So let’s take a worldly wordy walk through them. From a peaceful Namaste to a cheerful Kia Ora, here are some ways people say hello, and a peek into the cultures behind the words.

It makes even more sense to include this today, with Jun 11th being Say Hi Day, and June being National Immigrant Heritage Month here in the US. So celebrating various immigrant cultures as well with hellos to them in their languages

This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links, that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Thank you for your support. Please see the full disclosure for more information. I only recommend products I definitely would (or have already) use myself

Ways People Say Hi, Hello, or Greet Each Other

People greet each other in many ways around the world. Some fistbump, others rub noses, yet others stick out their tongues (true!). They wave, they fold their hands together, give air kisses, or do elaborate routines.

Some just say a quick hello or equivalent and move on, while in other cultures, they might not even acknowledge each other if they are strangers passing on the street. In some, a hello is actually a whole conversation, while asking people ‘how are you’ might be considered intrusive in yet other cultures.

h/t: Read more about these at EverdaySociology and HeTravelsSolo.

And before you go on to learn the words in different languages to say hi, here is

📚 A Quick Etymology of “Hello”

Did you know hello is actually a fairly new word? According to Merriam-Webster, hello has only been in use for about the last 150 years. It only became popular in the late 1800s with the invention of the telephone (source)! Before that, people were more likely to say:

• Hail (medieval English)
• Ahoy (used by sailors — and proposed as the official telephone greeting by the inventor – Alexander Graham Bell! Can you imagine answering the phone with an “ahoy” instead of “hello” now?)
• Good day / Good morrow (classically polite)

💡 Fun Fact: In the early days of the telephone, women typically worked as switchboard operators. By the 1880s, they were nicknamed “hello-girls.”

Say “Hi”: One Feeling, Many Ways!!

The Many Hellos of U.S. Immigrant Communities

Hello / Hi – English 🇺🇸

The standard greeting across many parts of the world thanks to global pop culture and media. It’s informal, flexible, and instantly recognizable—even in non-English-speaking countries.

Hola – Spanish 🇲🇽🇸🇻🇨🇺🇩🇴🇬🇹🇭🇳🇨🇴

The warm and friendly Spanish greeting means ‘hello.’ Spanish is the second most spoken language in the U.S., reflecting a large and diverse Latinx immigrant population.

• Mexico 🇲🇽: Mexican Spanish includes regional phrases and vocabulary. Mexicans make up the largest immigrant group in the U.S.
• El Salvador 🇸🇻: Salvadoran Spanish is rich in local slang. Many families have established strong roots in California and Texas.
• Cuba 🇨🇺: Cuban Spanish features unique rhythm and expressions. Cuban Americans have a strong cultural presence, especially in Florida.
• Dominican Republic 🇩🇴: Dominican Spanish brings musicality and vibrancy. Communities thrive in New York City and beyond.
• Guatemala 🇬🇹: Spanish is widely spoken, alongside indigenous languages such as K’iche’. Guatemalan Americans cherish tradition and family ties.
• Honduras 🇭🇳: Honduran immigrants contribute regional Spanish dialects. Supportive communities have grown across the Southeast.
• Colombia 🇨🇴: Known for its melodic tone, Colombian Spanish adds charm to celebrations and community life in the U.S.

Kamusta – Tagalog 🇵🇭

“Kamusta” is an informal hello derived from the Spanish “¿Cómo está?” Filipino immigrants, one of the largest Asian American groups, blend indigenous, Spanish, and English influences in their language and culture.

Xin chào – Vietnamese 🇻🇳

“Xin chào” is the standard Vietnamese greeting used in most situations. Vietnamese Americans have established strong communities, especially in California and Texas, and bring vibrant traditions and cuisine.

Nǐ hǎo (你好) – Mandarin Chinese 🇨🇳

A polite and common Mandarin greeting meaning ‘You good?’ Chinese immigrants speak many languages (Mandarin, Cantonese, others), and their presence is prominent in education, business, and culture.

Annyeong (안녕) – Korean 🇰🇷

Used informally between friends; “Annyeong haseyo” (안녕하세요) is the polite form. Korean American communities are known for valuing education and strong cultural identity.

Namaste (नमस्ते) – Hindi 🇮🇳

A respectful greeting meaning “I bow to you,” often accompanied by pressed palms. ‘Namaste’ has global recognition thanks to yoga and wellness culture. Indian Americans speak many languages – Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Gujarati, Kannada, Marathi, among others – and each language has its own version of ‘hello’! For example, in Tamil, we say Vanakkam; in Kannada, Namaskara; Gujarathi- it is Kem Cho; in Bodo (spoken in some North Eastern Indian communities), it is Oi, and so on.

Bonjour – French 🇭🇹🇨🇲🇸🇳

Literally ‘Good day,’ used more formally in the morning or early afternoon. French is spoken by immigrants from Haiti 🇭🇹, Cameroon 🇨🇲, Senegal 🇸🇳, and other Francophone countries. These communities bring rich cultural and culinary heritage.

Privet (Привет) – Russian 🇷🇺

An informal greeting meaning “hi.” “Zdravstvuyte” is used for formal situations. Russian-speaking immigrants come from Russia and nearby countries, contributing to arts and education.

As-salamu alaykum / Salaam – Arabic, Urdu, Farsi 🌍

Means ‘Peace be upon you’ or simply ‘peace.’ This shared greeting appears in Arabic, Urdu, and Persian (Farsi), among other languages, showing both linguistic and cultural connections across communities from the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa.

• Arabic is spoken by immigrants from countries like Egypt 🇪🇬, Iraq 🇮🇶, Syria 🇸🇾, Yemen 🇾🇪, and others. Arabic speakers have contributed greatly to science, business, and the arts in the U.S.
• Urdu shares many words and greetings with Arabic. Pakistani American communities are known for strong academic and entrepreneurial pursuits. 🇵🇰
• Persian-speaking (Farsi) communities (primarily Iranian Americans) bring deep cultural history, art, and cuisine to the U.S. 🇮🇷

Olá – Portuguese 🇧🇷

Used in Brazil and Portugal. Friendly and common in both casual and formal settings. Brazilian Americans are a growing community known for energy, music, and cultural pride.

A Few More Ways to Say Hi, Just Because!

• Konnichiwa – Japanese 🇯🇵 – A polite daytime greeting, typically used from late morning to early evening.
• Jambo – Swahili 🇰🇪 – A casual and friendly hello, especially familiar in Kenya and Tanzania.
• Kia ora – Māori (New Zealand) 🇳🇿 – A versatile greeting meaning “be well,” used widely in Aotearoa.
• Aloha – Hawaiian 🌺 – More than hello, it conveys love, peace, and compassion.
• Yá’át’ééh – Navajo 🇺🇸 – A traditional greeting meaning “it is good,” used in the Navajo Nation.
• Saluton – Esperanto 🌍 – A universal hello from the international language created for global unity.
• Halo / Apa kabar – Bahasa Indonesia 🇮🇩 – “Halo” means hello; “Apa kabar?” asks “How are you?”
• Hai / Apa khabar – Malay (Malaysia) 🇲🇾 – Friendly greetings used across Malaysia in both casual and polite conversation.
• Cześć – Polish 🇵🇱 – A casual hi between friends, with “Dzień dobry” for formal hellos.
• Shalom – Hebrew 🇮🇱 – Means “peace,” used for both hello and goodbye with spiritual depth.

Extra, Extra: The Bookish Section to Say Hi!

• Hello World! Greetings in 42 Languages Around the Globe by Manya Stojic (Children’s Books | 4 – 8 years, and up)
• Say Hello! by Rachel Isadora (Board Books | 2 – 4 years)
• We Are America: A Tribute from the Heart by Walter Dean Myers and Christopher Myers (Children’s Books | 6 – 10 years, and up)
• We Came to America by Faith Ringgold (Children’s Books | 5 – 8 years, and up)
• Yo! Yes? by Chris Raschka (Children’s Books | 3 – 7 years)

And Now, the End of This Post, or Saying Bye (just to this post..)

Dear reader, if you speak a different language, how do you say hello in your language? Or do you have a unique/special way to greet others in your family or friend-circle? Do share.