- A standard, widely understood greeting.
- Can range from formal to informal depending on tone and context.
Explanation
Origin
- Popularized with the invention of the telephone in the late 19th century; Thomas Edison reportedly suggested it as the standard way to answer.
- Derived from older variants like hallo or hollo, used for centuries to attract attention or express surprise.
- Became the default polite greeting in many situations.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Hiya (Friendly, somewhat informal, more common UK/Aus)
- Howdy (Regional US, informal)
Milder/Standard:
- Hi
- Hey
- Good day (Slightly more formal, less common in US)
Situational Appropriateness
- Suitable for almost all situations, from formal to informal.
- The default polite greeting when unsure of the level of formality required.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Very unlikely to be misunderstood as a greeting.
- The questioning Hello? can sometimes sound impatient if used repeatedly when waiting for a response.
Examples
- Hello, may I speak to Mr. Smith? (Formal)
- Hello! Nice to meet you. (Neutral)
- Hello? Is anyone there? (Seeking response)
Dialogue
Receptionist: Hello, thank you for calling ABC Corp. How may I help you?
Caller: Hello, I'd like to speak to the sales department, please.
Social Media Examples
- LinkedIn Message: Hello Mr. Johnson, I hope this message finds you well.
- Forum Post: Hello everyone, I'm new here and had a question.
- Brand Tweet: Hello! Thanks for reaching out. Please DM us your details.
Response Patterns
- Hello
- Hi
- Good morning/afternoon/evening
- Followed by a polite inquiry like How are you? or stating the reason for contact.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After saying Hello:
- Introduce yourself (Hello, my name is...).
- State your purpose (Hello, I'm calling about...).
- Ask How are you?.
After hearing Hello:
- Respond with Hello or Hi.
- Engage in the conversation (I'm well, thank you. How are you?).
- If on the phone, identify yourself or ask who is calling.
Conversation Starter
- Yes.
- A standard and safe conversation opener in almost any context.
Intonation
- Can vary significantly.
- Formal: Often pronounced clearly with falling intonation (Hel-LO.).
- Friendly/Informal: Can have a more melodic, rising-falling pattern (He-LLO-o).
- Questioning: Rising intonation (He-LLO?).
- Stress usually falls on the second syllable (Hel-LO).
Generation Differences
- Understood and used by all generations.
- Might be perceived as slightly more formal than Hi or Hey by younger speakers in casual contexts.
Regional Variations
- Universal in all English-speaking regions.