How Do You Say Hello in Different Languages |  A Global Guide to Greetings 2026

Learning hello in different languages opens the door to meaningful conversations and instant human connection. A simple greeting carries warmth, respect, and cultural understanding. 

If you’re traveling, studying, or working with people from around the world, knowing how to say hello helps create trust and friendship. This small word carries big emotional value and builds bridges across cultures.

Why Learning ‘hello in different languages’ Matters

Understanding how to say hello in different languages helps you appreciate global diversity. 

It shows respect for someone’s cultural identity and creates an inviting atmosphere. 

Greetings reflect traditions, social customs, and emotional warmth. 

Learning the translation of hello helps you connect deeply with people from different backgrounds.

---

Hello in European Languages

• Spanish: Hola (OH-lah)
  
• French: Bonjour (bon-ZHOOR)
  
• German: Hallo (HAH-loh)
  
• Italian: Ciao (chow)
  
• Portuguese: Olá (oh-LAH)
  
• Dutch: Hoi (hoy)
  
• Greek: Yassou (YAH-soo)
  

Hello in Native American Languages

• Navajo: Yá’át’ééh (yah-ah-tayh)
  
• Cherokee: Osiyo (oh-see-yoh)
  
• Ojibwe: Boozhoo (boo-zhooh)
  
• Lakota: Hau (how)
  
• Apache: Dagot’ee (dah-go-tay)
  
• Hopi: Um waynuma (oom-way-noo-mah)
  
• Choctaw: Halito (hah-lee-toh)
  

Hello in Asian Languages

• Chinese (Mandarin): Nǐ hǎo (nee-how)
  
• Japanese: Konnichiwa (kon-nee-chee-wah)
  
• Korean: Annyeong (an-nyong)
  
• Hindi: Namaste (nah-mah-stay)
  
• Thai: Sawasdee (sah-wah-dee)
  
• Malay: Halo (hah-loh)
  
• Filipino: Kamusta (kah-moos-tah)
  

Hello in Middle Eastern Languages

• Arabic: Marhaba (mar-ha-bah)
  
• Hebrew: Shalom (sha-lohm)
  
• Turkish: Merhaba (mehr-hah-bah)
  
• Persian: Salaam (sah-laam)
  
• Kurdish: Slav (slahv)
  
• Aramaic: Shlama (shlah-mah)
  
• Pashto: Salaamona (sah-lah-mo-nah)
  

Hello in African Languages

• Swahili: Jambo (jam-boh)
  
• Zulu: Sawubona (sah-woo-boh-nah)
  
• Hausa: Sannu (san-noo)
  
• Amharic: Selam (seh-lam)
  
• Yoruba: Bawo (bah-woh)
  
• Somali: Mahadsanid (mah-had-sah-nid)
  
• Shona: Mhoro (m-hoh-roh)
  

Hello in Indigenous Languages

• Maori: Kia ora (kee-ah-oh-rah)
  
• Hawaiian: Aloha (ah-loh-hah)
  
• Inuktitut: Aluu (ah-loo)
  
• Samoan: Talofa (tah-loh-fah)
  
• Fijian: Bula (boo-lah)
  
• Tongan: Mālō e lelei (mah-loh-eh-leh-lay)
  
• Guarani: Avy’a nde reheve (ah-vee-ah n-day reh-heh-veh)
  

Hello in Iroquoian Language Family

• Mohawk: She:kon (shay-kon)
  
• Oneida: Sekoh (seh-koh)
  
• Seneca: Sgë:no’ (sgay-noh)
  
• Cayuga: Sgeno (skay-noh)
  
• Onondaga: Sge:no’ (sgeh-noh)
  
• Tuscarora: Sge:nho (skay-nhoh)
  
• Wyandot: Shé:ya (shay-yah)
  

Hello in Plains Languages

• Sioux: Hau kola (how koh-lah)
  
• Blackfoot: Oki (oh-kee)
  
• Crow: Aho (ah-hoh)
  
• Cheyenne: Haaa’e (hah-ah-eh)
  
• Arapaho: Heebeeno (hee-bee-noh)
  
• Comanche: Marúawe (mah-roo-ah-weh)
  
• Kiowa: Háu (how)
  

Hello in Southeastern Languages

• Seminole: Hensci (hen-shee)
  
• Miccosukee: Hanchi (han-chee)
  
• Yuchi: Sa-doh (sah-doh)
  
• Catawba: Kanti (kan-tee)
  
• Chickasaw: Chokma (chok-mah)
  
• Creek: Hesci (hes-chee)
  
• Tunica: Yalha (yahl-hah)
  

Hello in Northwestern Languages

• Tlingit: Wáa sá iyaté (wah sah ee-yah-tay)
  
• Haida: Háw’aa (how-ah)
  
• Tsimshian: La̱xyuubm (lah-yoob-m)
  
• Salish: Sey̓ew (say-yow)
  
• Chinook: Klahowya (klah-how-yah)
  
• Nuu-chah-nulth: ʔaʔałuk (ah-ah-luk)
  
• Nez Perce: Weeyekii (wee-yay-kee)
  

Hello in Additional World Languages (15 Languages)

• Polish: Cześć (chesh-ch)
  
• Romanian: Salut (sah-loot)
  
• Ukrainian: Pryvit (pree-veet)
  
• Bulgarian: Zdravey (zdrah-vay)
  
• Slovak: Ahoj (ah-hoy)
  
• Swedish: Hej (hay)
  
• Danish: Hej (hi)
  
• Finnish: Hei (hey)
  
• Hungarian: Szia (see-ah)
  
• Icelandic: Halló (hah-loh)
  
• Albanian: Përshëndetje (per-shen-de-tyeh)
  
• Latvian: Sveiki (svay-kee)
  
• Estonian: Tere (teh-reh)
  
• Irish: Dia duit (dee-ah-gwit)
  
• Welsh: Helo (heh-loh)
  

---

Examples of Using ‘hello’ in Sentences Across Languages

• Spanish: Hola, ¿cómo estás? — “Hello, how are you?”
  
• French: Bonjour, mon ami. — “Hello, my friend.”
  
• Arabic: Marhaba ya sadiqi. — “Hello, my friend.”
  
• Hindi: Namaste, aap kaise hain? — “Hello, how are you?”
  
• Japanese: Konnichiwa, genki desu ka? — “Hello, are you well?”
  
• German: Hallo, wie geht’s? — “Hello, how’s it going?”
  
• Italian: Ciao, tutto bene? — “Hello, everything good?”
  
• Turkish: Merhaba, nasılsın? — “Hello, how are you?”
  

---

Cultural Meaning of ‘hello’ Around the World

Around the world, the meaning of hello carries cultural depth and emotional warmth. 

In some cultures, greeting others is a sign of honor and respect. In others, it represents kindness and unity. 

Some traditions accompany hello with bows, handshakes, or gestures that reflect history and values. 

Understanding these greetings helps you appreciate the beauty of human connection.

---

Conclusion

Saying hello in different languages allows you to communicate with kindness and confidence wherever you go. Each greeting carries a story of culture, identity, and tradition.

Learning these words helps you build friendships, explore new cultures, and celebrate global unity.