Want to get good discounts, warm hospitality, or even a little special treatment in Taiwan? We’ll tell you the secret!
While Mandarin is the official language, many older Taiwanese still speak Taiwanese (Hokkien) on a daily basis. So, saying hello in Taiwanese will definitely surprise the locals and earn their instant respect.
With that in mind, in this article, we’ll show you three authentic ways to say hello in Taiwanese, explain their cultural meaning, and share some tips for starting conversations during your trips.
3 Simple Ways To Say Hello In Taiwanese
Here are three easy ways to say hello in Taiwanese that locals actually use every day.
1. Hello (To One Person) – Lí-Hó (你好)
The phrase lí-hó (你好) breaks down into lí (你), meaning “you,” and hó (好), meaning “good.” Together, it’s a way of saying hello in Taiwanese to one person, similar to asking “you good?”
For hello in Chinese, we say ni hao (你好) instead, which is the exact equivalent of the Taiwanese expression.
While Taiwan’s official language is Mandarin Chinese, many older generations grew up speaking Hokkien at home, so hearing this familiar greeting from a foreign visitor can be unexpectedly touching.
It signals that you’ve made the effort to learn something personal to their culture. You’ll likely hear or use this greeting in smaller, one-on-one interactions, such as greeting a vendor at a traditional market stall, a driver, or an elderly neighbor sitting outside their home.
Even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect, locals will usually respond with a smile and patience.
For first-time travelers, using this greeting is an easy way to show respect and connect with the Taiwanese people you meet.
2. Hello (To More Than One Person) – Lín-Hó (恁好)
The greeting lín-hó (恁好) is made up of lín (恁), which is the plural or polite form of “you,” and hó (好), which means “good.” When you put it together, it’s like saying “hello to you all” or “hello respectfully.”
Using lín-hó shows that you’re including everyone in the conversation, a nuance that reflects the communal values in Taiwanese culture and the way politeness is often extended to groups.
This phrase is handy in situations where you’re entering a family-run shop, greeting a group of elderly people, or simply acknowledging more than one person at once.
While subtle, locals notice the difference and often respond warmly when a foreign traveler gets it right.
3. Have You Eaten? – Lí Chia̍h Pá Bōe? (你食飽未?)
In Taiwanese culture, food is central to care and wellbeing, and this greeting is really about checking on someone’s health and comfort, much like “How are you?” in English.
And that’s why in Taiwan, don’t be surprised if the first greeting you hear, especially from the older generation, is “Have you eaten?” as a warm way of showing care.
The expression lí chia̍h pá bōe? (你食飽未?) “Have you eaten yet?” literally breaks down as lí (你), “you,” chia̍h (食), “eat,” pá (飽), “full,” and bōe (未), meaning “not yet.”
However, its meaning goes far deeper than the words suggest. When an older local asks you this, they’re not always expecting details about your last meal.
A polite response like chia̍h pá ah (食飽矣), “Yes, I’ve eaten,” is enough to acknowledge their kindness.
Traveling To Taiwan? Tips For Starting Conversations In Taiwanese
Planning a trip to Taiwan? Here’s how to break the ice in Taiwanese.
1. Use The Right Address Term
Before speaking, consider the person’s age and social context, and address them accordingly.
For example, for older women you can say A-tsí (阿姨) “auntie,” for older men A-siu (阿叔) “uncle,” for grandmothers A-má (阿嬤), and for grandfathers A-kong (阿公).
Using these Taiwanese-specific terms shows respect and immediately creates a friendly connection with locals.
2. Follow Up With A Common Greeting
Once you’ve addressed them properly, open with a polite greeting.
A simple hello in Taiwanese: lí-hó (汝好) for one person or lín-hó (恁好) for a group sets a warm, friendly tone and invites conversation without feeling forced.
3. Continue With Simple, Useful Phrases
After greetings, continue the conversation with short, useful Taiwanese phrases.
You can ask lí hó-bò? (你好無?) “How are you?” or introduce yourself with góa kiò… (我叫…) “I am…” or wá-è mia sì… (我的名是…) “My name is….”
To show politeness, you can also say pháinn-sè (歹勢) “Excuse me / Sorry.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Saying Hello In Taiwanese
How Do You Greet People In Taiwan?
In Taiwan, most people greet each other with ni hao (你好) in Mandarin Chinese, which means “hello.” Among the older generation, you’ll also hear Taiwanese Hokkien greetings like lí-hó (汝好). A polite handshake or wave is common, and with elderly, a small bow or lowering of the eyes shows extra respect.
To make your greeting warmer, you can add respectful titles such as ā-má (grandma), ā-gōng (grandpa), ā-í (auntie), or ā-tsiú (uncle).
Want to practice these phrases before your trip? With Ling, you can confidently learn Taiwanese Hokkien and make your conversations with locals more meaningful.
How To Say "Good Morning" In Taiwan?
You can say gâu-chá (早仔) to wish someone a good morning in Taiwanese.
Good afternoon, on the other hand, is gō-an (午安), and good evening is àm-an (暗安). Adding a polite greeting like this is a lovely way to start the day and shows respect for the daily rhythms and culture of Taiwan.
How Do People Greet One Another To Show Respect In Taiwan?
In Taiwan, handshakes and waves are acceptable forms of greeting for foreigners. Many locals may also lower their gaze or give a slight bow, especially when meeting elders, as a sign of respect. To address someone properly, use their surname followed by an appropriate title.
For example, if someone's surname is Chen, you would address them as Chen xiānsheng (陳先生) for Mr. Chen in Chinese, or Chen xiǎojiě (陳小姐)" for Miss Chen. If you're unsure of their surname, it's polite to ask, "nín guì xìng? (您貴姓?)" meaning "What is your honorable surname?" Once you know their surname, you can address them with the appropriate title to show respect and formality.
Take These Greetings With You On Your Taiwan Adventure
As you get ready for your trip, learning three simple ways to say hello in Taiwanese can help you connect with people.
Remember: Lí-hó (汝好) is used to greet one person, and Lín-hó (恁好) to greet a group of people.
Another phrase to remember is ‘Have you eaten?’ Lí chia̍h pá bōe? (汝食飽未?). Locals appreciate the gesture because it shows you care.
Also, remember the tips we shared for starting a conversation in Taiwanese. Having simple greetings and polite phrases in your arsenal makes it easier to talk with people confidently.
With these tools, you can turn your next trip into a great experience.
Turn Simple Greetings Into Memorable Experiences With Ling
Want to make every greeting in Taiwan count? With Ling, you can learn the Taiwanese Hokkien phrases locals use every day.
Ling’s Dialog feature allows you to practice conversational skills, so you can hear and respond to phrases just like you would in actual conversations. And with the Streak Saver, you won’t lose your progress, even if you miss a day, keeping your learning consistent and stress-free.
Try Ling today and improve your confidence to enjoy smoother, more natural interactions during your trip to Taiwan.
