Greetings in China: Handshakes, Bows, and What Not to Do

Meeting someone from another culture for the first time can feel like walking into a room where everyone knows the rules. Should you shake hands, bow, or go for a hug? If you are preparing to visit China or have recently made Chinese friends or business contacts, you are probably wondering exactly that. The good news is that Chinese greeting customs are not as rigid as you might think, and a few simple guidelines will keep you polite and confident in almost any situation. The most natural first greeting in China is a friendly 你好 (Nǐ hǎo) Hello paired with a light handshake and a smile.

Conceptual illustration of a light handshake greeting in a modern Chinese business setting.

While Japan is famous for deep bows and many Western cultures lean toward hugs or cheek kisses, China sits in the middle: it blends traditional respect for hierarchy with modern, international-friendly habits. Once you understand the basics, greeting people in China is straightforward and rarely awkward.

The Handshake: China’s Most Common Greeting

If you are unsure what to do when meeting a Chinese person for the first time, start with a handshake. It is the safest, most widely accepted greeting in business and social settings today and the norm in Chinese business etiquette. The handshake in China is usually lighter and briefer than the firm, extended handshakes common in some Western countries. A gentle clasp, a slight nod of the head, and natural eye contact are all you need.

As you shake hands, it helps to say a simple greeting out loud. The classic choice is:

If you want to sound warmer and more enthusiastic, especially in a professional context, you can say:

One important detail: avoid gripping too hard. An overly firm handshake can feel aggressive or strange in China, where the norm is a light, respectful clasp. Think of it as a gesture of friendliness rather than a contest of strength. In more traditional or rural settings, people may still nod, smile, or offer a slight bow without physical contact, but the handshake is the default in cities and professional settings.

Simple Verbal Greetings: More Than Just “Nǐ hǎo”

While 你好 (Nǐ hǎo) Hello works in almost every situation, the Chinese language offers a few other common greetings that reveal different levels of familiarity and warmth. Learners studying Chinese online can practice these variations with a native-speaking teacher.

In older generations or more traditional neighborhoods, you might hear:

This is not an invitation to lunch. It is an old-fashioned, caring way to say hello, rooted in a time when food was sometimes scarce. The expected answer is simply 吃了 (Chī le), as in “yes, I have,” or a quick 还没 (Hái méi), as in “not yet.”

Among friends or peers, you may also hear:

Or the slightly more direct:

One distinction worth remembering is the pronoun shift. When speaking to someone older, someone in a higher position, or anyone you want to show extra respect to, use 您 (Nín) instead of 你 (Nǐ). For example:

Switching to 您 (Nín) is a small change that shows respect for Chinese etiquette.

Titles and Respect: Getting Names Right

In China, using the correct title when greeting someone is often more important than the physical gesture. Addressing people properly shows respect and social awareness.

If you are meeting a teacher, start with:

In a business meeting, you might greet someone as:

For family friends or neighbors of your parents’ generation:

These are polite, affectionate terms for older adults, even if they are not blood relatives. In formal and business settings, combining a person’s family name with their title is usually more respectful than using their given name directly; our guide to etiquette for hosting Chinese clients covers more of these details. If you are unsure of someone’s title, a safe fallback is simply 您好 (Nín hǎo) Hello.

There is also a practical rule for group greetings: when you meet several people at once, greet the oldest or most senior person first. This reflects the traditional Chinese value of respecting elders and hierarchy. Starting with the junior person and working your way up can come across as careless, even if you meant no harm.

What NOT to Do: Common Greeting Mistakes

Knowing what to avoid is just as valuable as knowing what to do. Here are five common greeting mistakes that can create awkward first impressions in China. If you want to avoid these common speaking mistakes, our companion guide has more tips for sounding natural.

1. Do not hug or kiss on the cheek
Physical affection on a first meeting is generally seen as too intimate. Even a friendly hug can make a new Chinese acquaintance uncomfortable. Keep a comfortable personal distance and stick to a handshake or a nod.

2. Do not bow deeply like in Japan
While a slight nod of the head is perfectly fine, a full bow is not part of standard Chinese greeting culture. It may look theatrical or out of place unless you are in a very specific ceremonial context.

3. Avoid overly casual slang
Greeting someone with “Hey bro!” or similar casual slang can sound disrespectful, especially in professional environments. Err on the side of formality when you are unsure.

4. Do not squeeze too hard during a handshake
As mentioned earlier, an overly firm handshake can feel aggressive. Keep it light and brief.

5. Do not skip the senior person
When greeting a group, acknowledge the senior or oldest individual first. Ignoring hierarchy, even accidentally, can be seen as rude.

Quick Greeting Cheat Sheet

Here is a simple reference you can use before your next interaction with a Chinese speaker. For more everyday conversations, keep our list of must-know Chinese phrases handy too.

Keep this table in mind, and you will rarely be at a loss for words.

Want to Greet Like a Local? Try a Free 1-on-1 Trial Class

Reading about greetings is helpful, but nothing replaces practicing with a real person. At eChineseLearning, our native Chinese teachers guide adult learners through realistic social and business scenarios, including how to greet confidently, use titles correctly, and read body language in context. You will not just memorize phrases; you will understand when and why to use them.

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Quick Quiz: What is the most natural first greeting in China?

• A. A big hug
• B. 你好 (Nǐ hǎo) with a handshake
• C. A bow
• D. “Hey bro!”

Think you know the answer? Share your pick in the comments section below and see if you got it right!

Common Questions About Greetings in China (FAQ)