An easy guide to formal & casual greetings in English [VIDEO]

Greetings are an essential part of any language, and English is no exception. Whether you're meeting someone for the first time or saying goodbye to a friend, greetings and farewells set the tone for your interactions. Today, we're talking about saying 'hello' in English—both the formal and casual ways.

Whether you're meeting someone important or just chatting with pals, knowing the right words is key. From 'How do you do?' to 'Hey, what's up?' we'll cover it all. So, grab a seat, relax, and let's learn how to greet in English with the correct pronunciation and a smile with our Berlitz English language teacher, Rodrigo Averna. Watch the video lesson below, follow along in the blog article summary… or both!

Formal and informal greetings in English: Video summary

When it comes to formal greetings, the language you use can have a significant impact on the impression you make. Here are some formal greetings and expressions that you can use in various situations:

Greeting someone for the first time

• "How do you do?"
  This is a classic formal greeting used when meeting someone for the first time in a formal setting.
• "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance"
  This expression conveys deep respect and formality, suitable for meeting someone of high status or importance.
• "It's an honor to make your acquaintance"
  This phrase elevates the level of respect and formality even further, indicating a high regard for the person you are meeting.

Greeting someone you already know

• "Nice to meet you"
  This is a simple and polite way to greet someone you are meeting for the first time.
• "What's up?"
  While informal, this greeting can be used in a professional context to express familiarity with someone you already know.
• "How's it going?"
  This is a casual way to ask about someone's well-being, suitable for informal but friendly interactions.

Saying goodbye in formal settings

• "Goodbye"
  The classic and formal way to bid farewell to someone in any situation.
• "Take care"
  This expression conveys warmth and concern for the other person's well-being, suitable for formal or informal farewells.
• "It was nice talking to you"
  This polite way to say goodbye is used to express gratitude for the conversation and is suitable for professional settings.

By understanding and using these formal greetings, you can navigate various social and professional situations with confidence and respect.

Informal greetings

Informal greetings are commonly used in casual settings, among friends, and in everyday interactions. Below are some examples of informal greetings in English:

Greeting friends and acquaintances

• "Hey!"
  This is a casual and friendly way to greet someone you know.
• "What's up?"
  This informal greeting is often used among friends to ask about the other person's well-being.
• "How's it going?"
  This is another casual way to inquire about someone's current state or activities.

Informal farewells

• "See you later!"
  This friendly farewell is commonly used when saying goodbye to friends or acquaintances.
• "Take care!"
  Convey warmth and concern for the other person's well-being as a casual way to say goodbye.

Greetings for friends

Greeting friends often involves a more casual and familiar tone. Here are some common greetings for friends in English:

Informal greetings

• "Hey buddy!"
  This informal greeting expresses familiarity and closeness with a friend.
• "What's cooking?"
  A casual way to greet a friend and ask what's new or exciting in their life.
• "How you doing?"
  This friendly greeting is often used among close friends to inquire about each other's well-being.

Catching up with friends

• "Long time no see!"
  A friendly way to greet a friend you haven't seen in a while, expressing joy at the reunion.
• "What have you been up to?"
  An informal way to ask a friend about their recent activities and experiences.
• "It's been such a long time! How's life treating you?"
  A warm and caring greeting for a friend you haven't seen in a while.

Greetings for acquaintances

Greetings for acquaintances are important to maintain a polite and respectful tone in your interactions. Here are some common greetings for acquaintances in English:

Meeting someone for the first time

• "How do you do?"
  This classic formal greeting is suitable for meeting someone for the first time in a formal setting.
• "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance"
  Conveys deep respect and formality, suitable for meeting someone of high status or importance.
• "It's an honor to make your acquaintance"
  Elevates the level of respect and formality to show high regard for the person you are meeting.

Meeting someone you already know

• "Nice to meet you"
  A simple and polite way to greet someone you are meeting for the first time.
• "What's up?"
  Though informal, this greeting can be used in a professional context to express familiarity with someone you already know.
• "How's it going?"
  This casual way to ask about someone's well-being is suitable for informal but friendly interactions.

Greeting someone you haven't seen in a long time

Greeting someone you haven't seen in a long time can be a heartwarming and joyful experience. Here are some ways to greet someone you haven't seen in a while in English:

Casual greetings

• "Long time no see!"
  A friendly way to express joy at the reunion with someone you haven't seen in a while.
• "What have you been up to?"
  An informal way to ask about their recent activities and experiences, showing interest in catching up.
• "It's been such a long time! How's life treating you?"
  A warm and caring greeting for someone you haven't seen in a while, expressing genuine interest in their well-being.

Unexpected reunions

• "Oh my God, it's been ages! What a pleasant surprise to see you!"
  Expresses excitement and surprise at an unexpected reunion with someone you haven't seen in a long time.
• "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
  A polite and curious way to ask why the person has come to visit you, suitable for unexpected reunions.
• "What a wonderful surprise! How long are you staying?"
  Shows warmth and happiness at the unexpected visit and expresses curiosity about the duration of their stay.

Unexpected visits

Unexpected visits can be a pleasant surprise, and it's important to greet the visitor warmly and politely. Here are some ways to handle unexpected visits in English:

Expressing surprise and joy

• "Oh my God, it's been ages! What a pleasant surprise to see you!"
  Express excitement and happiness at the unexpected visit from someone you haven't seen in a long time.
• "What a wonderful surprise! How long are you staying?"
  Show warmth and happiness at the unexpected visit while expressing curiosity about the duration of their stay.

Polite questions for unexpected reunions

• "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
  A polite and curious way to ask why the person has come to visit you, suitable for unexpected reunions.
• "How can I help you?"
  Express willingness to assist as a polite way to inquire about the reason for the unexpected visit.

Ready to up your English greetings game and dazzle the world with your linguistic finesse? Hop on over to our fun-filled article for a comprehensive and creative list of all the ways to say hello in English.