How to Say “Good evening” in Chinese
Greetings and politeness · HSK 1
"Good evening" in Chinese is 晚上好 (Wǎnshàng hǎo). 晚上好 is the standard evening greeting, but honestly Chinese people don't say it as casually as English speakers say 'good evening.' It sounds slightly formal; you'll hear it from news anchors, hotel staff, or when meeting someone for the first time at dinner.
Primary translation
晚上好
Wǎnshàng hǎo
Variants by register
Formal
晚上好
Wǎnshàng hǎo
Casual
晚上好呀
Wǎnshàng hǎo ya
When to use it
晚上好 is the standard evening greeting, but honestly Chinese people don't say it as casually as English speakers say 'good evening.' It sounds slightly formal; you'll hear it from news anchors, hotel staff, or when meeting someone for the first time at dinner. Among friends, a simple 你好 or even 吃了吗 (have you eaten?) is more natural. Adding 呀 softens it considerably.
Example sentences
晚上好，欢迎光临。
Wǎnshàng hǎo, huānyíng guānglín.
Good evening, welcome.
晚上好，各位观众。
Wǎnshàng hǎo, gèwèi guānzhòng.
Good evening, viewers.
晚上好呀，你吃饭了吗？
Wǎnshàng hǎo ya, nǐ chīfàn le ma?
Evening! Have you eaten yet?