English Basic Greetings and Introductions

In any language, greetings and introductions are essential for making social connections. In English, there are many common expressions used to say hello, introduce yourself, and start a conversation politely.

1. Common Greetings

a. Formal Greetings

These are used in professional or respectful settings such as workplaces, meetings, or when talking to strangers or older people.

  • Hello
  • Good morning (used before 12:00 PM)
  • Good afternoon (used between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM)
  • Good evening (used after 5:00 PM)
  • How do you do? (very formal)

b. Informal Greetings

Used among friends, peers, and in casual settings.

  • Hi
  • Hey
  • What’s up?
  • How’s it going?
  • Yo! (very casual)

2. Saying Goodbye

a. Formal Goodbyes

  • Goodbye
  • Have a nice day
  • It was nice meeting you
  • Take care

b. Informal Goodbyes

  • Bye
  • See you later
  • Catch you later
  • See ya!

3. Introducing Yourself

Here are basic phrases to introduce yourself:

  • My name is Sarah.
  • I’m John.
  • I am a teacher.
  • I’m from Canada.

Full Introduction Example:

Hello! My name is Ahmed. I’m from Egypt. I work as a web developer. Nice to meet you!

4. Asking for Someone’s Name and Origin

a. Asking Names

  • What’s your name?
  • May I ask your name?

b. Asking Where Someone Is From

  • Where are you from?
  • Are you from around here?
  • Which country are you from?

5. Responding Politely

a. When Someone Greets You

  • Hello!
  • Hi, nice to see you.
  • Good morning, how are you?

b. When Someone Introduces Themselves

  • Nice to meet you!
  • Pleased to meet you.
  • It’s a pleasure to meet you.

6. Small Talk Starters

After greetings, people often continue with small talk to keep the conversation going:

  • How are you?
  • How was your day?
  • What do you do for a living?
  • Do you live nearby?
  • Do you come here often?

7. Greetings Based on Time of Day

  • Good morning – before noon
  • Good afternoon – after noon to around 5 PM
  • Good evening – after 5 PM
  • Good night – only used when parting in the evening or before going to bed

8. Special Occasions

  • Happy birthday!
  • Congratulations!
  • Happy New Year!
  • Merry Christmas!

9. Polite Expressions

  • Please
  • Thank you
  • You’re welcome
  • Excuse me
  • Sorry

10. Conclusion

Mastering basic greetings and introductions in English helps build confidence and makes communication smoother in both personal and professional life. Practice these phrases often, and try using them in real conversations to improve your fluency.