Chinese word

问好

Pronunciation

Pinyinwèn hǎo

Meaning

  • verbsay hello

Example

明天替我向他问好。míng tiān tì wǒ xiàng tā wèn hǎo

Tomorrow, say hello to him for me.

Illustration for 问好 (say hello)

More examples

见面时别忘了跟她问好。jiàn miàn shí bié wàng le gēn tā wèn hǎo

Don't forget to say hello to her when you meet.

Core concept

A greeting that checks on a person's well-being and can travel through another speaker.

Common phrases

  • 向邻居问好xiàng lín jū wèn hǎo

    say hello to the neighbor

  • 给家人问好gěi jiā rén wèn hǎo

    say hello to one's family

  • 上班前向同事问好shàng bān qián xiàng tóng shì wèn hǎo

    say hello to one's colleagues before work

Similar words

打招呼dǎ zhāo hū: Greet someone in person when meeting or speaking with them.
问候wèn hòu: Send greetings that show concern for someone's health or well-being.

Definition in Chinese

向某人致意，问候其安好，或替第三者向该人传达问候，语气可正式也可口语化。xiàng mǒu rén zhì yì wèn hòu qí ān hǎo huò tì dì sān zhě xiàng gāi rén chuán dá wèn hòu yǔ qì kě zhèng shì yě kě kóu yǔ huà

Word origin

问好 (wènhǎo, "ask after well-being") combines 问 (wèn, "ask") + 好 (hǎo, "well"), presenting a greeting as an inquiry about how someone is doing.

Usage tips

  • For English speakers, the expression is broader than a face-to-face hello because it can carry good wishes from someone who is absent.

Other meanings

  • send one's regardsverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word