How to say good evening in Chinese
"Good evening" in Chinese is 晚上好 (wǎn shang hǎo). It is built from "evening good". 晚上好 greets people in the evening and leans formal, like a host opening an event or a TV presenter; it is a hello, not a good night.
Ways to say good evening
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| 晚上好 | wǎn shang hǎo | good evening | The default answer. |
| 你好 | nǐ hǎo | hello | Casual, any time of day, with friends and strangers alike |
| 大家晚上好 | dà jiā wǎn shang hǎo | good evening, everyone | Opening a party, evening class, show or speech |
| 各位来宾，晚上好 | gè wèi lái bīn, wǎn shang hǎo | good evening, ladies and gentlemen | Formal events such as dinners, galas and ceremonies |
What people say back
Example sentences
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 大家晚上好，欢迎来到今天的晚会。 | dà jiā wǎn shang hǎo, huān yíng lái dào jīn tiān de wǎn huì. | Good evening, everyone, and welcome to tonight's party. |
| 晚上好，请问有预订吗？ | wǎn shang hǎo, qǐng wèn yǒu yù dìng ma? | Good evening, do you have a reservation? |
| 李老师，晚上好！您也来散步啊？ | lǐ lǎo shī, wǎn shang hǎo! nín yě lái sàn bù a? | Good evening, Teacher Li! Out for a walk too? |
| 观众朋友们，晚上好！ | guān zhòng péng you men, wǎn shang hǎo! | Good evening, viewers! |
The characters in 晚上好
Common mistakes
- 晚上好 is for arriving, not leaving. When you part at night, say 再见, or 晚安 if someone is going to bed.
- 上 in 晚上 is neutral tone: wǎn shang, not wǎn shàng.
- Between friends 晚上好 can sound like a TV host; 你好 or a name is more natural.
Related
- Good night in Chinese: 晚安
- Good afternoon in Chinese: 下午好
- Good morning in Chinese: 早上好
- Hello in Chinese: 你好
- All phrases and words
Frequently asked questions
How do you say good evening in Chinese?
晚上好 (wǎn shang hǎo), literally "evening good". Other ways: 你好 (nǐ hǎo); 大家晚上好 (dà jiā wǎn shang hǎo); 各位来宾，晚上好 (gè wèi lái bīn, wǎn shang hǎo).
What is the difference between 晚上好 and 晚安?
晚上好 (wǎn shang hǎo) means "good evening" and is said when you meet. 晚安 (wǎn ān) means "good night" and is said before sleep.
How do you say good evening everyone in Chinese?
Say 大家晚上好 (dà jiā wǎn shang hǎo). At a formal event, 各位来宾，晚上好 (gè wèi lái bīn, wǎn shang hǎo).
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