20+ Ways to Say Hello and Goodbye in English (Formal & Informal)
Welcome to Hello English! Whether you’re meeting someone for the first time, texting a friend, or ending a work call, knowing how to say hello and goodbye in English is essential.
In this lesson, you’ll learn 20+ natural phrases formal and informal categories. Perfect for students, travelers, and everyday conversations!
Ways to Say Hello in English
Formal Greetings
- Hello. (Neutral and professional)
- Good morning / Good afternoon / Good evening. (Time-specific and polite)
- It’s a pleasure to meet you. (Great for first meetings)
- How do you do? (Very formal—common in the UK)
Informal Greetings
- Hi! (Friendly and universal)
- Hey! (Casual—use with friends)
- What’s up? (Very informal—means “How are you?”)
- How’s it going? (Relaxed and common)
- Yo! (Very casual—mostly among young people)
Ways to Say Goodbye in English
Formal Farewells
- Goodbye. (Classic and polite)
- Have a nice day. (Warm and professional)
- It was a pleasure speaking with you. (Great for calls or meetings)
- I look forward to our next meeting. (Business context)
Informal Goodbyes
- Bye! (Simple and friendly)
- See you later! (Casual and optimistic)
- Take care! (Warm and caring)
- Catch you later! (Very informal)
- Peace! or Later! (Slang—use with close friends)
Example Conversations
Formal:
Person A: Good morning, Ms. Lee.
Person B: Good morning! It’s a pleasure to meet you.
Person A: Likewise. Have a wonderful day.
Person B: Thank you—you too!
Informal:
Person A: Hey! What’s up?
Person B: Not much! How’s it going?
Person A: All good. Catch you later!
Person B: Bye! Take care!
Tip
When in doubt, use “Hello” and “Goodbye”—they work in almost any situation!
Practice Tip
Try writing two short dialogues: 1. A formal conversation (e.g., job interview) 2. An informal chat (e.g., with a friend) Use at least 3 greetings and 2 goodbyes from this list!
Now you’re ready to start and end conversations in English with confidence! Bookmark this guide—or try our interactive quiz to test your knowledge.
Happy learning! 👋
