We talk with our friends and family all the time. Sometimes, we also engage in a conversation with people we meet at the railway stations, bus stops or in shops. The phrases and sentences given in this lesson will help you to talk to friends, family, colleagues and people that you meet.

Greetings

In English, the most common words used to greet people are Hello and Hi. Hello is slightly more formal than Hi. It is polite to say hello to anyone in any situation.

Hello Martin. How are you?

Hello Sir.

Hello Dr. Mehta.

Hello Mrs. Vyas.

Use Hi… in informal situations. For example, you can greet your friends with a simple hi.

Hi Karan, what’s up?

Hi Maya, how are you doing?

Hi Hari, how are things with you?

Oh hi Jane, how is it going?

Hi Gauri, what a pleasant surprise! I thought you were in Chennai.

Good morning, good afternoon and good evening

In more formal situations, for example when you meet your neighbor, teacher or boss, you can use Good morning, Good afternoon or Good evening.

Good morning Madam.

Good afternoon Sir.

Good morning Mrs. Seth. How are you?

Good to Know

Use Good morning when you meet someone in the morning (before 12o’clock.) Use Good afternoon after lunch. Use Good evening after normal working hours (for example, 5 or 6 pm)

When leaving people

When leaving people, say Goodbye or Bye.

Goodbye Peter. Have a safe journey.

Goodbye Jeena. See you again.

Goodbye Varun. See you tomorrow.

Bye Gauri. Take care.

Use Good night when you or someone else is going to bed.

Good night everybody – see you tomorrow.

Good night Gautam.

Good night darling. Sweet dreams.

Use See you… in a very informal style.

Well, I must be going. See you tomorrow.

See you again.

See you later.

See you next week.

OK, I need to go now. See you next week.

You may also use the phrase Take care when leaving people.

‘Bye Manu.’ ‘Bye Gauri. Take care.’

Children often use the phrase Bye-Bye.

‘Bye-bye teacher.’ ‘Bye Anu. Take care.’