Basic Greetings and Introductions

Welcome to your first lesson in learning English! Today, we will learn how to say “hello” and introduce yourself in English. Knowing how to greet people and tell them your name is very important. Let’s go step by step and practice some easy phrases.

Podcast - Basic Greetings and Introductions

1. Common Greetings in English

A greeting is what you say to start a conversation. In English, we greet people in different ways, depending on who they are and the time of day. Let’s look at some common greetings:

Hello – This is the most basic greeting. You can use “hello” in all situations. It is friendly and polite.
Hi – This is more informal. “Hi” is a good greeting for friends, family, or people you know well.
Hey – This is very casual. You can use “hey” with close friends or people your own age.
Good morning – Use this greeting in the morning. You can say “Good morning” from the time you wake up until around 12:00 p.m. (noon).
Good afternoon – Use this greeting after noon, usually from around 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Good evening – Use this greeting in the evening, usually after 5:00 p.m. until you go to bed.

It is helpful to know which greeting to use at what time. For example, if you meet someone early in the day, say “Good morning.” If you meet someone in the evening, say “Good evening.”

Practice Exercise

Think of three people you know. What greeting would you use for each of them? Try using “Good morning,” “Hi,” or “Good evening.” Practice saying each greeting out loud.

Use the LingoSwipe App to learn more about these words and practice with flashcards.

2. Introducing Yourself

When you meet someone for the first time, you usually say your name. Here are some simple ways to introduce yourself:

“My name is [Your Name].”
“I am [Your Name].”
“Hello, I’m [Your Name]. Nice to meet you!”

After you say your name, it is polite to say something like “Nice to meet you!” or “Pleased to meet you!” This shows that you are friendly.

Examples

“Hello, my name is Maria.”
“Hi, I’m John.”
“Hello, I’m Anna. Nice to meet you!”

Each way to introduce yourself is short and easy to remember. You can choose the one that feels best for you. Practice saying your name in these sentences to help you remember.

Practice Exercise

Stand in front of a mirror. Say, “Hello, my name is [Your Name].” Try it a few times until you feel comfortable saying it.

English Greetings and Introductions

3. Asking for Someone’s Name

After you introduce yourself, it’s polite to ask for the other person’s name. Here are two simple questions you can use to ask someone’s name:

“What is your name?” – This is a polite way to ask.
“What’s your name?” – This is shorter and a little more casual.

After they tell you their name, you can say, “Nice to meet you, [Their Name].”

Example:

You: “Hello, I’m Sarah. What’s your name?”
Other person: “I’m Tom.”
You: “Nice to meet you, Tom!”

This is a good way to make a friendly start to a conversation. Remember to smile when you say, “Nice to meet you!”

4. Responding to Introductions

When someone tells you their name, it’s polite to respond. Here are some ways to respond:

“Nice to meet you!” – A polite and friendly response.
“It’s nice to meet you!” – A bit more formal but still friendly.
“Pleased to meet you!” – This is polite and a little formal.

Example:

You: “Hello, I’m Alex. What’s your name?”
Other person: “I’m Mia.”
You: “Nice to meet you, Mia!”

Responding politely helps to make a good first impression. It shows respect and friendliness.

Practice Exercise

Find a friend or family member and practice a short introduction. Say, “Hello, my name is [Your Name]. What’s your name?” Practice answering back and forth.

5. Asking and Answering “How Are You?”

In English, it’s common to ask someone “How are you?” after you say hello. This question is a way to show you care. Here are some ways to ask and answer this question:

Question: “How are you?” or “How are you doing?”
Common Answers:
- “I’m fine, thank you.”
- “I’m good.”
- “I’m okay.”
- “Not bad.” (informal)
- “I’m great!” (if you feel very happy)

After you answer, you can ask, “And you?” or “How about you?” to keep the conversation going.

Example:

You: “Hello! How are you?”
Other person: “I’m good, thank you! And you?”
You: “I’m fine, thanks!”

This question helps to make conversations feel friendly.

6. A Simple Conversation Example

Let’s see how these greetings and introductions work together in a real conversation. Here’s a short example:

Sarah: “Hi, my name is Sarah. What’s your name?”

Tom: “Hello, I’m Tom. Nice to meet you, Sarah!”

Sarah: “Nice to meet you too, Tom. How are you?”

Tom: “I’m fine, thank you. And you?”

Sarah: “I’m good!”

In this conversation, Sarah and Tom greet each other, introduce themselves, and ask how each other is doing. This is a simple way to start a conversation.

7. Practice Activities

Activity 1: Greeting Practice

Find a friend or family member to practice with. Try using different greetings. Use “Good morning” in the morning, “Good afternoon” in the afternoon, and “Good evening” in the evening.

Activity 2: Introducing Yourself

Stand in front of a mirror. Say, “Hello, my name is [Your Name]. Nice to meet you.” Repeat this until it feels natural.

Activity 3: Asking for a Name

Find someone to practice with. Say, “Hello, I’m [Your Name]. What’s your name?” Listen to their answer and say, “Nice to meet you, [Their Name].”

Activity 4: Asking “How Are You?”

Practice asking, “How are you?” Try different answers, like “I’m good,” “I’m fine,” and “Not bad.” Repeat these phrases until they feel easy.

Activity 5: Simple Conversations

Create short conversations using greetings, introductions, and “How are you?” questions. Write them down or practice with someone else.

8. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some common mistakes beginners make with greetings and introductions:

Using “Hi” in Formal Situations: Use “Hello” or “Good morning” in formal situations, like at work or with someone you don’t know.
Forgetting to Ask “How Are You?”: In English, asking “How are you?” is polite. Remember to ask this question in conversations.
Using the Wrong Response: If someone says, “Nice to meet you,” respond with “Nice to meet you too” or “It’s nice to meet you,” instead of only saying “Thank you.”

These small tips will help you sound more natural when you speak.

9. Key Points to Remember

Use “Hello” or “Good morning” for formal greetings, and “Hi” or “Hey” for informal greetings.
Introduce yourself by saying, “My name is [Your Name].”
Ask someone’s name with, “What is your name?”
When someone asks “How are you?”, reply with “I’m fine,” “I’m good,” or “I’m okay.”
Use the LingoSwipe App to practice every day! The more you practice, the easier these words and phrases will become.

Conclusion

This first lesson on greetings and introductions is an important start in learning English. Knowing how to say hello and introduce yourself helps you talk to new people and make friends. In the next lesson, we will learn about numbers and telling time, which are useful skills for daily life. Keep practicing your greetings and introductions, and soon you’ll feel more confident speaking English. Happy learning!