Saludos en chino

The universal greeting — safe with anyone, any time of day.

Respectful form for elders, teachers, customers.

Opening a talk or entering a group.

Before ~10am; colleagues often just say 早 (zǎo).

Greeting after dark — not a goodbye.

Only when someone is going to sleep.

The standard goodbye — literally "see again".

Casual, borrowed from English; very common.

When you expect to meet again soon, same day.

Between classmates and colleagues at day’s end.

Everyday thanks; reply with 不客气.

Standard reply to 谢谢 — literally "don’t be polite".

A real apology; for "excuse me" use 不好意思.

Mild apology — interrupting, squeezing past, small favors.

Reply to an apology — "no problem".

Polite opener before any question to a stranger.

Warm greeting after a long gap — the English phrase is a loan from Chinese.

Casual catch-up question between friends.

Traditional friendly greeting — an idiom, not a dinner invitation.

Welcoming a guest; shops say 欢迎光临.

After being introduced for the first time.

All-purpose encouragement — literally "add fuel".

For good news; doubled as 恭喜恭喜 in celebration.

Both January 1st and Chinese New Year.

Sung to the same melody as the English song.

Host to departing guest — literally "walk slowly".