How to Say “Good morning” in Chinese
Greetings and politeness · HSK 1
"Good morning" in Chinese is 早上好 (zǎo shang hǎo). 早上好 (zǎoshang hǎo) is the textbook "good morning" and works in every formal or neutral setting. In casual contexts; among family, close colleagues, classmates; a clipped 早 (zǎo) is the most natural greeting.
Primary translation
早上好
zǎo shang hǎo
Variants by register
Casual
早
zǎo
When to use it
早上好 (zǎoshang hǎo) is the textbook "good morning" and works in every formal or neutral setting. In casual contexts; among family, close colleagues, classmates; a clipped 早 (zǎo) is the most natural greeting. Morning runs roughly 6am-10am; after that switch to 上午好 (late morning) or 中午好 (midday). Evening is 晚上好; bedtime is 晚安 (good night). Chinese greeting timing is slightly more rigid than English.
Example sentences
早上好！
Zǎoshang hǎo!
Good morning!
早，吃早饭了吗？
Zǎo, chī zǎofàn le ma?
Morning, have you had breakfast?
老师早！
Lǎoshī zǎo!
Good morning, teacher!