5 Way to Say Hello: Common English Greetings

Key Concepts:

• Formal greetings (Hello, Good morning/afternoon)
• Informal greetings (Hi, Hey, How's it going?, What's up?)
• Appropriate context for each greeting (formality, relationship)
• Expected responses to greetings

1. Formal Greetings

• Hello: The video states that "Hello" is often the first greeting taught, but it's not the most common in everyday conversation. It's primarily used in formal situations, such as:
  • Meetings with people you don't know well.
  • First encounters with someone.
  • Answering the telephone. The video specifically mentions that when the phone rings, people expect to hear "Hello."
• Good morning/afternoon: These greetings are also considered formal. The example given is a teacher (Ms. Gingerich) greeting a student (Larissa) in class. The video explains that "good morning" or "good afternoon" can be used in any formal situation, depending on the time of day.

2. Informal Greetings

• Hi/Hey: "Hi" is presented as the most common informal greeting. The response "Hey" is also a common greeting. In the video, Misha greets Larissa with "Hi," and Larissa responds with "Hey, how's it going?".
• How's it going?: This is an informal greeting. The video emphasizes that it's not meant to initiate a deep conversation. A brief response is expected, such as "good," "fine," or "not bad," as demonstrated in the video. This greeting is suitable for friends, acquaintances, or even strangers in informal settings like parties or coffee shops.
• What's up?: This is described as the least formal of the greetings discussed. It's appropriate for close friends in very casual settings. Similar to "How's it going?", it doesn't require a detailed response.

3. Expected Responses

• How's it going?: Acceptable responses include "It's good," "Fine," or "Not bad." The key is to keep the response brief, as it's not intended to start a lengthy conversation.
• What's up?: Suitable responses are "Nothing," "Not much," or simply "Nothing much." The video highlights that after this exchange, the conversation should move on to other topics.

4. Context and Relationship

• The video stresses the importance of using the appropriate greeting based on the context and your relationship with the person. Formal greetings are for formal situations and people you don't know well, while informal greetings are for casual settings and people you're close to.

5. Synthesis/Conclusion

The video provides a practical guide to common English greetings, emphasizing the importance of choosing the right greeting based on the level of formality and your relationship with the person you're greeting. It highlights the difference between formal greetings like "Hello" and "Good morning/afternoon" and informal greetings like "Hi," "Hey," "How's it going?", and "What's up?". The video also explains the expected responses to these greetings, emphasizing brevity in informal exchanges. The main takeaway is to be mindful of the context and your relationship with the person to ensure you use the most appropriate and natural greeting.