Everyday greetings are simple phrases you use to say hello, ask how someone is, or start a conversation. They help you connect with people, show politeness, and build relationships in English. This guide covers common greetings for different times of day, formal and informal situations, and casual conversations.
Time-Based Greetings
Greetings that change depending on the time of day.
Time-Based Greetings
These are the most common greetings used to acknowledge the time of day.
| English Greeting | Example Sentence | When to Use | Level | Usage Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good morning | Good morning! How did you sleep? | Before noon | Beginner | Use until 12:00 PM |
| Good afternoon | Good afternoon! How’s your day going? | PM to 5 PM | Beginner | Use from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM |
| Good evening | Good evening! What are your plans tonight? | After 5 PM | Beginner | Use from around 5:00 PM onward |
| Good night | Good night! Sleep well. | Before going to bed | Beginner | Used to say goodbye before sleeping |
Usage Tips
- “Good morning,” “Good afternoon,” and “Good evening” are used as greetings.
- “Good night” is used as a farewell before going to sleep, not as a hello.
- These phrases can be followed by the person’s name or a polite question.
Formal Greetings
Polite greetings for professional or respectful situations.
Formal Greetings
These greetings are appropriate when speaking to someone older, in a position of authority, or in a professional setting.
| English Greeting | Example Sentence | When to Use | Level | Usage Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hello | Hello, Ms. Davis. How are you today? | Any formal situation | Beginner | Safe for most professional settings |
| How do you do? | How do you do? It’s a pleasure to meet you. | First formal meeting | Intermediate | Use only when meeting for the first time |
| It’s a pleasure to meet you | It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Lee. | First formal meeting | Intermediate | Follow with a handshake if in person |
| Good to see you | Good to see you again, Dr. Smith. | Formal but friendly | Intermediate | Use when you’ve met the person before |
Usage Tips
- Always use a polite tone.
- Wait for the other person to respond before continuing.
- In emails, you can use these greetings at the beginning.
Informal Greetings
Casual greetings for friends, family, and people you know well.
Informal Greetings
These are friendly and relaxed greetings used among people you know well.
| English Greeting | Example Sentence | When to Use | Level | Usage Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hi | Hi! What’s up? | Any casual situation | Beginner | Very common and versatile |
| Hey | Hey! Long time no see. | Casual, friendly | Beginner | Slightly more casual than “Hi” |
| What’s up? | What’s up? Are you coming to the party? | Informal, among friends | Intermediate | Means “What’s going on?” |
| How’s it going? | How’s it going? Did you finish your homework? | Informal | Intermediate | Means “How are you?” |
| Yo | Yo! Ready for the game? | Very casual, among young people | Intermediate | Use only in very relaxed settings |
Usage Tips
- These greetings often don’t require a detailed response.
- “What’s up?” and “How’s it going?” can be answered with “Not much” or “Good, thanks.”
- Avoid these in formal or professional settings.
Follow-Up Questions
Common questions that keep the conversation going after you greet someone.
Follow-Up Questions
These questions show interest and help the conversation continue naturally.
| English Question | Example Dialogue | When to Use | Level | Usage Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How are you? | A: Hi! How are you? B: I’m good, thanks. | Any situation | Beginner | Use a polite tone |
| How have you been? | A: Hey! How have you been? B: Pretty good, you? | Informal, after time apart | Intermediate | Used when you haven’t seen someone in a while |
| What’s new? | A: Hi! What’s new? B: Not much, just working a lot. | Informal | Intermediate | Casual way to ask about recent events |
| How’s your day going? | A: Good afternoon! How’s your day going? B: It’s been busy, but good. | Any situation | Intermediate | Use for ongoing or same-day conversations |
Usage Tips
- These questions can be answered briefly or with more detail.
- In formal settings, “How are you?” is usually sufficient.
- In informal settings, people often ask the question back.
Goodbye Phrases
Common ways to end a conversation politely.
Goodbye Phrases
These phrases help you leave a conversation or say farewell politely.
| English Goodbye | Example Sentence | When to Use | Level | Usage Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goodbye | Goodbye! See you tomorrow. | Any situation | Beginner | Polite and neutral |
| See you later | See you later! Don’t forget the meeting. | Informal | Beginner | Use with people you’ll see again soon |
| Take care | Take care! Have a great weekend. | Informal or formal | Intermediate | Shows concern for the other person |
| Have a nice day | Have a nice day! Thanks for your help. | Any situation | Beginner | Common in customer service |
| Bye | Bye! Catch you later. | Informal | Beginner | Very casual and friendly |
Usage Tips
- Choose a goodbye based on the formality of the situation.
- You can add a reason if you want (“I have to go now”).
- Smile or nod to show friendliness when speaking in person.
Everyday greetings are your first step to starting a conversation in English. By choosing the right greeting for the time, situation, and relationship, you can make a positive impression and connect with others more easily.
Flashcards (1 of 22)
- Example Sentence: Good morning! How did you sleep?
- When to Use: Before noon
- Level: Beginner
- Usage Tips: Use until 12:00 PM
- English Greeting: Good morning
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
