Hello, World

Bonjour, literally good day, serves as France's standard greeting in both formal and informal settings.

Bonjour, literally good day, serves as France's standard greeting in both formal and informal settings.

Hola is used as a standard informal greeting almost identically across the Spanish-speaking world.

Hola is used as a standard informal greeting almost identically across the Spanish-speaking world.

Ciao means both hello and goodbye in Italian and has been informally borrowed into English.

Ciao means both hello and goodbye in Italian and has been informally borrowed into English.

Guten Tag, literally good day, is the standard formal greeting used throughout Germany.

Guten Tag, literally good day, is the standard formal greeting used throughout Germany.

G'day, a shortened form of good day, is strongly associated worldwide with Australian identity.

G'day, a shortened form of good day, is strongly associated worldwide with Australian identity.

Hej, a short casual Swedish greeting, has close cousins across several other Nordic languages.

Hej, a short casual Swedish greeting, has close cousins across several other Nordic languages.

Halo, an Indonesian phone greeting, was borrowed directly from the English word hello.

Molo, a common Xhosa greeting, is used widely in South Africa alongside English and Zulu greetings.

Hallo, a casual Dutch greeting, closely resembles the English word hello.

Hallo, a casual Dutch greeting, closely resembles the English word hello.

Salut serves informally as both hi and bye in both Romanian and French.

Salut serves informally as both hi and bye in both Romanian and French.

Salaam, a common Arabic greeting, is related to the Arabic word for peace.

Salaam, a common Arabic greeting, is related to the Arabic word for peace.

Shalom serves as both hello and goodbye in Hebrew while also meaning peace.

Shalom serves as both hello and goodbye in Hebrew while also meaning peace.

Merhaba, Turkey's common informal greeting, traces to an Arabic-derived root meaning welcome.

Merhaba, Turkey's common informal greeting, traces to an Arabic-derived root meaning welcome.

Zdravstvuyte, a formal Russian greeting, is related to a word wishing someone good health.

Zdravstvuyte, a formal Russian greeting, is related to a word wishing someone good health.

Yassou means both hello and goodbye informally in Greek and relates to a word wishing someone health.

Yassou means both hello and goodbye informally in Greek and relates to a word wishing someone health.

Konnichiwa, Japan's common daytime greeting, literally relates to a phrase about this day.

Konnichiwa, Japan's common daytime greeting, literally relates to a phrase about this day.

Nǐ hǎo, Mandarin's most common greeting, literally translates as you good.

Nǐ hǎo, Mandarin's most common greeting, literally translates as you good.

Namaste, a traditional Indian greeting of respect, is accompanied by pressing the palms together.

Annyeonghaseyo is a polite formal Korean greeting, longer than its casual shortened form.

Annyeonghaseyo is a polite formal Korean greeting, longer than its casual shortened form.

Sawasdee, Thailand's standard greeting, is traditionally paired with the respectful wai gesture.

Sawasdee, Thailand's standard greeting, is traditionally paired with the respectful wai gesture.

Xin chào offers a modern, neutral Vietnamese greeting compared with forms that specify the listener's age.

Xin chào offers a modern, neutral Vietnamese greeting compared with forms that specify the listener's age.

Namaste, a traditional Indian greeting of respect, is accompanied by pressing the palms together.

Aloha serves as both hello and goodbye in Hawaiian while also expressing love and affection.

Aloha serves as both hello and goodbye in Hawaiian while also expressing love and affection.

Jambo, a casual East African greeting, is often one of the first Swahili words taught to visitors.

Jambo, a casual East African greeting, is often one of the first Swahili words taught to visitors.

Sawubona, a traditional Zulu greeting, literally translates to I see you.

Sawubona, a traditional Zulu greeting, literally translates to I see you.

Kia ora, a common New Zealand greeting, literally expresses a wish for good health.

Kia ora, a common New Zealand greeting, literally expresses a wish for good health.

Halo, an Indonesian phone greeting, was borrowed directly from the English word hello.

Habari, a common East African greeting, literally asks the listener what is the news.

Habari, a common East African greeting, literally asks the listener what is the news.

Sat Sri Akal, a traditional Sikh greeting in Punjabi, carries a religious meaning invoking eternal truth.

Sat Sri Akal, a traditional Sikh greeting in Punjabi, carries a religious meaning invoking eternal truth.

Molo, a common Xhosa greeting, is used widely in South Africa alongside English and Zulu greetings.