Tone changes the meaning entirely
Mandarin Chinese uses tones -- the rise and fall in pitch of a syllable -- to distinguish words that would otherwise sound identical. The romanized pronunciation guides here are meant to get you started with the general shape of each phrase; listening to native speakers and practicing the tones alongside pinyin spelling, which marks tones with accent marks, will get you much closer to natural pronunciation.
Ni hao vs. Nin hao
Ni hao (你好) is the everyday greeting used with friends, peers, or in casual settings, while Nin hao (您好) is the respectful version used with elders, strangers, or in situations that call for formality, such as greeting a customer or meeting someone for business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it enough to just know xiexie?
Yes -- xiexie is the most universal way to say thank you and works comfortably in almost any situation. It also helps to remember that the typical reply is bu keqi, meaning "you're welcome."
Chinese has other regional languages and dialects, right?
Yes -- what is covered here is Standard Mandarin (Putonghua), the most widely used form. Cantonese, Shanghainese, and many other regional varieties sound quite different, so if you are headed to a specific region, it is worth learning a few local phrases as well.