How to Say Hello in Different Languages
Picture this: you’re wandering through a bustling local market in Lisbon, admiring the fresh produce and colorful crafts, when you catch the eye of a friendly vendor, or maybe you’re hiking a scenic trail in the Swiss Alps and pass by a fellow traveler, both of you sharing a moment of awe at the stunning views. These are the perfect moments to break the ice with a simple, warm “hello” or “hi” in the local language. Knowing how to say hello in different languages can turn these brief encounters into memorable interactions and hey, you never know, you might make a new friend in the process. Learning a few basic phrases in the local language is more than just a polite, respectful gesture—it’s your ticket to more authentic experiences.
In this guide, I’ll help you learn how to say hello in many languages spoken across Eastern and Western Europe. Whether you’re just curious about how to say hello in foreign languages or want to blend in on your trip with a friendly “hi” in the local language, this post is your go-to resource for greetings in Europe.
So, get ready to master how to say hello in other languages—because a world of friendly faces is waiting to meet you!
Table of Contents
Albania 🇦🇱
Language: Albanian
How to Say Hello in Albanian:
- Formal: Përshëndetje (per-shen-DEH-tyeh) — A polite greeting used in formal settings.
- Informal: Tung (toong) — A casual “hi” among friends.
Bosnia and Herzegovina 🇧🇦
Language: Bosnian
How to Say Hello in Bosnian:
- Formal: Dobar dan (DOH-bar dahn) — The standard formal greeting.
- Informal: Zdravo (ZDRAH-voh) — A casual “hi.”
Bulgaria 🇧🇬
Language: Bulgarian
How to Say Hello in Bulgarian:
- Formal: Zdraveyte (zdrah-VEY-teh) — A polite way to greet someone.
- Informal: Zdrasti (ZDRAH-stee) — Used casually with friends.
Croatia 🇭🇷
Language: Croatian
How to Say Hello in Croatian:
- Formal: Dobar dan (DOH-bar dahn) — A polite way to greet formally.
- Informal: Bok (bohk) / Zdravo (ZDRAH-voh) — Used casually with friends and peers.
Czech Republic 🇨🇿
Language: Czech
How to Say Hello in Czech:
- Formal: Dobrý den (DOH-bree den) — A polite, formal greeting.
- Informal: Ahoj (ah-HOY) — Friendly and informal, similar to “hi.”
Denmark 🇩🇰
Language: Danish
How to Say Hello in Danish:
- Formal: God dag (goh daeg) — A formal way to say “good day.”
- Informal: Hej (hy) — Commonly used among friends.
Estonia 🇪🇪
Language: Estonian
How to Say Hello in Estonian:
- Formal: Tere päevast (TE-reh PEH-vahst) — A formal greeting meaning “good day.”
- Informal: Tere (TEH-reh) — A casual “hi.”
Faroe Islands 🇫🇴
Language: Faroese
How to Say Hello in Faroese:
- Formal/Informal: Hallo (ha-LOH) — Used in both formal and informal situations.
Finland 🇫🇮
Language: Finnish
How to Say Hello in Finnish:
- Formal: Hyvää päivää (HOO-va PAEE-va) — A polite greeting for formal settings.
- Informal: Moi (moy) — A common and casual greeting.
France 🇫🇷
Language: French
How to Say Hello in French:
- Formal: Bonjour (bohn-ZHOOR) — Used during the day in formal settings.
- Informal: Salut (sah-LOO) — A casual “hi” among friends.
Germany 🇩🇪
Language: German
How to Say Hello in German:
- Formal: Guten Tag (GOO-ten tahg) — A formal greeting used during the day.
- Informal: Hallo (HA-loh) — A casual “hi.”
Greece 🇬🇷
Language: Greek
How to Say Hello in Greek:
- Formal: Καλημέρα (Kah-lee-MEH-rah) — A formal “good morning” used throughout the day.
- Informal: Γειά σου (YAH soo) — A casual “hi” for friends and acquaintances.
Greenland 🇬🇱
Language: Greenlandic
How to Say Hello in Greenlandic:
- Formal/Informal: Aluu (ah-LOO) — A versatile greeting used in all settings.
Hungary 🇭🇺
Language: Hungarian
How to Say Hello in Hungarian:
- Formal: Jó napot (yo NAH-pot) — A polite “good day” greeting.
- Informal: Szia (SEE-ah) — Used informally as “hi.”
Iceland 🇮🇸
Language: Icelandic
How to Say Hello in Icelandic:
- Formal: Góðan daginn (GO-thahn DAH-yin) — A formal greeting meaning “good day.”
- Informal: Hæ (hi) — A casual “hi.”
Ireland 🇮🇪
Language: Irish
How to Say Hello in Irish:
- Formal: Dia duit (DEE-ah GWITCH) — Literally means “God to you.”
- Informal: Haigh (hah) — A casual “hi.”
Italy 🇮🇹
Language: Italian
How to Say Hello in Italian:
- Formal: Buongiorno (bwohn-JOR-noh) — A polite way to say “good morning.”
- Informal: Ciao (chow) — A casual “hi” that also means “goodbye.”
Lapland (Norway, Sweden, Finland) 🇳🇴🇸🇪🇫🇮
Language: Sami
How to Say Hello in Sami:
- Formal/Informal: Bures (BOO-res) — Used in both formal and informal settings.
Latvia 🇱🇻
Language: Latvian
How to Say Hello in Latvian:
- Formal: Labdien (LAHB-dyen) — A formal greeting meaning “good day.”
- Informal: Sveiki (SVEY-kee) — Used casually among friends.
Lithuania 🇱🇹
Language: Lithuanian
How to Say Hello in Lithuanian:
- Formal: Laba diena (LAH-bah dyeh-NAH) — A formal “good day” greeting.
- Informal: Labas (LAH-bahs) — A casual “hi.”
Luxembourg 🇱🇺
Language: Luxembourgish
How to Say Hello in Luxembourgish:
- Formal/Informal: Moien (MOY-en) — A versatile greeting used in both formal and informal settings.
Montenegro 🇲🇪
Language: Montenegrin
How to Say Hello in Montenegrin:
- Formal: Dobar dan (DOH-bar dahn) — A polite way to greet formally.
- Informal: Zdravo (ZDRAH-voh) — A casual “hi.”
Netherlands 🇳🇱
Language: Dutch
How to Say Hello in Dutch:
- Formal: Goedendag (HOO-den-dahg) — A formal “good day.”
- Informal: Hoi (HOY) / Hallo (HAH-loh) — Casual greetings.
Norway 🇳🇴
Language: Norwegian
How to Say Hello in Norwegian:
- Formal: God dag (goo DAHG) — A formal greeting meaning “good day.”
- Informal: Hei (hay) — A casual “hi.”
Poland 🇵🇱
Language: Polish
How to Say Hello in Polish:
- Formal: Dzień dobry (jen DOH-brih) — A polite greeting meaning “good day.”
- Informal: Cześć (cheshch) — A casual “hi.”
Portugal 🇵🇹
Language: Portuguese
How to Say Hello in Portuguese:
- Formal: Olá (oh-LAH) — A formal “hello.”
- Informal: Oi (oy) — A casual “hi.”
Romania 🇷🇴
Language: Romanian
How to Say Hello in Romanian:
- Formal: Bună ziua (BOO-nuh ZEE-wah) — A formal “good day.”
- Informal: Salut (sah-LOOT) — A casual greeting like “hi.”
Scotland 🇬🇧
Language: Scottish Gaelic
How to Say Hello in Scottish Gaelic:
- Formal/Informal: Halò (hah-LOH) — Used in both formal and informal settings.
Slovakia 🇸🇰
Language: Slovak
How to Say Hello in Slovak:
- Formal: Dobrý deň (DOH-bree dyen) — A polite “good day.”
- Informal: Ahoj (ah-HOY) — A casual “hi.”
Slovenia 🇸🇮
Language: Slovene
How to Say Hello in Slovene:
- Formal: Dober dan (DOH-ber dahn) — A formal greeting meaning “good day.”
- Informal: Živjo (ZHEE-vyoh) — A casual “hi.”
Spain (Basque Country)
Language: Basque
How to Say Hello in Basque:
- Formal/Informal: Kaixo (KY-shoh) — A versatile greeting for all situations.
Spain (Catalonia)
Language: Catalan
How to Say Hello in Catalan:
- Formal/Informal: Hola (OH-lah) — Works for both formal and informal settings.
Spain 🇪🇸
Language: Spanish
How to Say Hello in Spanish:
- Formal/Informal: Hola (OH-lah) — A simple “hello” used universally.
Sweden 🇸🇪
Language: Swedish
How to Say Hello in Swedish:
- Formal: God dag (goh DAHG) — A polite greeting meaning “good day.”
- Informal: Hej (hay) — A casual “hi.”
United Kingdom (Cornwall)
Language: Cornish
How to Say Hello in Cornish:
- Formal/Informal: Dydh da (dih daah) — A formal “good day.”
- Informal: Hullo (HUH-loh) — A casual greeting.
United Kingdom (Wales)
Language: Welsh
How to Say Hello in Welsh:
- Formal/Informal: Helo (heh-LOH) — Works well for both formal and informal situations.
- Informal: Shwmae (SHOO-my) — A casual “hi.”
As you prepare for your European adventure, remember that a simple “hello” in the local language can be your passport to better experiences. Whether you’re navigating a crowded marketplace or sharing a quiet moment on a park bench, knowing how to say hi in different languages adds a personal touch to your travels. It’s not just about getting by—it’s about making connections.
If you found this guide helpful, be sure to share it with fellow travelers. And if you have any stories of how a friendly “hello” made your trip even better, I’d love to hear them in the comments! Safe travels, and happy greeting!