World Hello Day: How to Say “Hello” in 23 Languages Around the Globe

Everything beautiful starts with a 'hello.' It’s the first bridge we build with a stranger, the tiny gesture that softens edges, opens doors, and sometimes even sparks lifelong friendships. World Hello

Day, celebrated every year on November 21, was created as a gentle reminder that communication, especially peaceful communication, still matters. And what better way to celebrate than by greeting the world in its own words?Across cultures, continents and time zones, 'hello' is something that transforms in sound but stays constant in spirit. always. Each version of a hello carries the rhythm of the land, the warmth, the musical tone that is short and snappy for some while being soft and melodic for others. Together, they form a global chorus of welcome!So here’s your passport to 23 ways of saying hello, fun, friendly, and perfect for showing off at parties, impressing your friends, or just bringing a smile to someone’s face.English — HelloSpanish — HolaFrench — BonjourHindi — NamasteJapanese — KonnichiwaMandarin Chinese — Nǐ hǎoArabic — As-salāmuʿalaykumGerman — HalloItalian — CiaoKorean — AnnyeonghaseyoRussian — PrivetPortuguese — OláSwahili — JamboTurkish — MerhabaThai — SawasdeeGreek — GeiaHebrew — ShalomFilipino/Tagalog — KamustaDutch — HalloVietnamese — Xin chàoIndonesian — HaloBengali — NomoskarZulu — SawubonaWhat’s fun is how these greetings also carry deeper meanings. When it comes to 'Namaste,' hello is a gesture of respect, and with 'Sawubona,' it translates to 'I see you,' acknowledging presence and humanity. 'Shalom' and “As-salāmu ʿalaykum” both wish peace upon the person you’re greeting. And even the shortest of them all 'hola' comes with a friendly warmth that instantly brightens up the conversation. Learning and remembering these greetings makes you multilingual in tiny doses while reminding you how connected you are to the rest of the world. Every 'hello' is just a bridge to a new connection; a chance to show kindness, curiosity and openness. And in times when misunderstandings seem louder than ever, a simple greeting in someone's language can make them feel special and seen in the best way. This World Hello Day, try saying hello in at least three languages you’ve never used before. Say it to a friend, a colleague, or even to yourself in the mirror. Who knows? The right hello might just be the start of something unexpectedly wonderful.