Basic Greetings in English

greeting (noun): saying hello; a polite word of welcome 

greet (verb): to say hello; to welcome somebody 

(The opposite of greeting is farewell - saying goodbye.)

 

There are many ways to say hello in English. Sometimes you say a quick hello as you are passing somebody. At other times a greeting leads to a conversation. Friends and family members greet each other in a casual way. Business greetings are more formal.

On the following pages you can listen to and practise greeting people in a variety of situations.
In this lesson you will find:

Tips: language and gestures that native speakers use

Useful phrases: words and expressions that native speakers use