Formal and Informal Greetings in English – 12 Essential Phrases

Welcome to Hello English! Greetings are more than just “hello”—they set the tone of your conversation and show respect, friendliness, or professionalism.

In this lesson, you’ll learn 12 essential greetings in English—split into basic, formal, and informal categories. Whether you’re meeting a boss, texting a friend, or starting a conversation with a stranger, you’ll know exactly what to say.

Basic Greetings (Work in Almost Any Situation)

These simple phrases are your go-to for any context—neutral, polite, and universally understood.

• Hello!
• Hi!
• Good morning!
• Good afternoon!
• Good evening!
• Nice to meet you.

Example:
Person A: Hello!
Person B: Hi! How are you?
Person A: I’m good, thanks!

Formal Greetings (Professional & Polite)

Use these in job interviews, business meetings, emails, or when meeting someone for the first time.

• Good morning, Sir/Madam.
• Good afternoon.
• It’s a pleasure to meet you.
• How do you do?

Response tip: To “How do you do?”, simply reply: “How do you do?” (It’s a fixed phrase!)

Example:
Person A: Good afternoon, Ms. Lee. It’s a pleasure to meet you.
Person B: Good afternoon! The pleasure is mine.

Informal Greetings (Casual & Friendly)

Perfect for friends, family, classmates, or relaxed settings.

• Hey!
• Hi there!
• What’s up?
• How’s it going?
• Yo!

Example:
Person A: Hey! Long time no see!
Person B: Hi there! Yeah, how’s it going?

Cultural Notes

• UK: More formal greetings are common in professional settings.
• US: Even at work, “Hi” or “Hey” is often acceptable.
• Australia: “G’day!” is widely used—even in offices!

Practice Tip

Write two greetings: 1. One you’d use in a job interview 2. One you’d text to a friend Say them out loud to feel the difference!

Now you’re ready to greet anyone—in any situation—with confidence! Bookmark this guide or try our interactive quiz to test your greeting skills.

Happy learning! 👋