Language

Greetings in Languages of Taiwan

台灣原住民族問候語

This page contains greetings in many of the languages spoken in Taiwan.

Ethnologue lists 26 languages spoken in Taiwan.

There are 21 of these languages on this page.

Mandarin Chinese is the national language, and Min Nan Chinese is spoken by about 66% of the population.

Amis [ami] (Taiwan: Hualien and Taitung.)
	Naruwan	general greeting
	Nga'ayho	general greeting
	Nga'ayho papacem	morning greeting
	Nga'ayho kalahokan	afternoon greeting
	Nga'ayho dadaya	evening greeting
	Nga'ayho ko miso?	how are you?
	Mama'an aca	reply to Nga'ayho ko miso
	Nga'ayho kiso?	how are you?
	Hay, nga'ayho	reply to Nga'ayho kiso
	Nga'ayayto aray	reply to Hay, nga'ayho
	Kapah haw kiso?	how are you?
	Hay, kapah kako	reply to Kapah haw kiso
	To kako aray	reply to Hay kapah kako
	Inabayan	general greeting spoken in the Peinan dialect

Amis, Nataoran [ais] (Taiwan: Hualien and Fenglin.)
	Mahazatu	general greeting in the Sakizaya dialect
	Malaman	morning greeting in the Sakizaya dialect
	Malabok	afternoon greeting in the Sakizaya dialect
	Malabi	evening greeting in the Sakizaya dialect
	Mahica kiso?	how are you? in the Sakizaya dialect
	Mahica, kiso yi	reply to Mahica kiso in the Sakizaya dialect
	Kokay, caay to kahica kako	reply to Mahica kiso yi in the Sakizaya dialect
	Hemanan to	general greeting
	Maman ti kiso?	how are you?

Atayal [tay] (Taiwan.)
	Lokah su'	general greeting
	Lokah sima kwara	general greeting to a group of people
	Mziboq su'	morning greeting
	Mziboq su' uzi	reply to Mziboq su'
	Blaq 'nbiyn su?	morning greeting ("did you sleep well?")
	Lokah su' ga?	how are you?
	Aw, lokah ku'	reply to Lokah su' ga
	Belung su?	how are you?
	Lawkax su	general greeting in the Wenshui dialect
	Lawkax kuwing	reply to Lawkax su
	Ya su ramas?	how are you? in the Wanda dialect

Bunun [bnn] (Taiwan: east central plain.)
	Mihumisang	general greeting
	Uninang	reply to Mihumisang
	Mihumisang amin	general greeting to a group of people
	Masihal asang	general greeting
	Masihal kasu	general greeting
	Masihal naupa aas?	how are you?
	Masihal	reply to Masihal naupa aas
	Malisihal aas?	how are you?
	Minauninas ha?	general greeting, "have you eaten?"
	Miqumisang	general greeting in the central (Takivatan) dialect
	Miqumicang	general greeting in the northern (Takitudu, Takibakha) dialects
	Macial?	how are you? in the Takitudu dialect
	Macialas	reply to Macial
	Macial amu?	how are you? in the Takitudu dialect
	Macial amin	reply to Macial amu

Chinese, Hakka [hak] (China and Malaysia.)
	汝好	ngi hao: general greeting, also written 爾好
	汝好乜	ngi hao mo: general greeting. Ngi hao mao in Huizhou dialect; Ngi ho mo in Meixian dialect.
	爾好セ	ngi hao mo: general greeting. Ngi hao mao in Huizhou dialect; Ngi ho mo in Meixian dialect.
	好	hao: reply to 汝好乜 and 爾好セ
	安早	zo an: morning greeting
	早上好	tsā shàng hǎo: morning greeting
	晚上好	mān shàng hǎo: evening greeting
	晚安	wǎn ān: evening and nighttime greeting
	欢迎	fon ngiang: welcome greeting to a visitor

Chinese, Mandarin [cmn] (China.)
	汝好	nî hâo: general greeting. Lèe hào in Sichuan dialect.
	您好	nín hâo: general greeting
	早晨好	zâo chén hǎo: morning greeting used in the People's Republic of China
	早上好	zâo shàng hǎo: morning greeting in People's Rep. of China. Zào sàng hào in Sichuan dialect.
	早安	zâo an: morning greeting used in Taiwan
	早	zâo: morning greeting used in Taiwan
	下午好	xìa wǔ hǎo: afternoon greeting used in the People's Republic of China
	午安	wǔ ān: afternoon greeting used in Taiwan
	晚上好	wǎn shàng hǎo: evening greeting Wàn sàng hào in Sichuan dialect.
	晚安	wǎn ān: evening and nighttime greeting. Wàn ān:in Sichuan dialect.
	你好吗?	nî hâo ma: how are you?, also written 你好嗎. Lèe hào māin Sichuan dialect.
	您好吗?	nín hâo ma: how are you?, also written 您好嗎.
	我很好	wǒ hěn hǎo: reply to 你好嗎
	好	hǎo: reply to 你好嗎
	你怎么样?	nǐ zěnme yàng: how are you?, informal
	幸会	xìng huì: greeting used when meeting someone for the first time
	久仰	jiǔwén dàmíng: polite greeting used when meeting someone for the first time
	欢迎	huan ying: welcome greeting, also written 歡迎
	欢迎光临	huan ying guang lin: welcome greeting, also written 歡迎光臨

Chinese, Min Nan [nan] (China.)
	汝好	li ho: general greeting. Leu ho in Chaozhou dialect.
	汝好無	li ho bo: general greeting, also written 你好嗎
	你好吗?	lew tsue keng tsai seng: how are you? in Chaozhou dialect
	好	ho ho: reply to 你好吗
	我好，谢谢	waah ho gaam sia: reply to 汝好無
	好，感谢	ho gaam sia: reply to 汝好無
	好，多谢	ho do sia: informal reply to 汝好無
	好無	ho bo: general greeting. Ho mo in Chaozhou dialect.
	食飽未?	chiah pa bue: common greeting, literally: have you eaten?, also written 吃饱未
	吃饭了吗?	tsiak pung bue: common greeting, literally: have you eaten? in Chaozhou dialect
	敖早	gau cha: morning greeting, also written 爻早
	早	cha: morning greeting. Za in Chaozhou dialect.
	午安	go on: afternoon greeting
	晚安	buan on: evening and nighttime greeting
	在生	jai sen: general greeting in Chaozhou dialect.
	在生樣	jai sen ion: how are you? in Chaozhou dialect.
	欢迎	hua ngeng: welcome greeting in Chaozhou dialect

Japanese [jpn] (Japan.)
	こんにちは。	konnichi wa: general greeting
	おはよう。	ohayo: morning greeting
	おはようございます。	ohayo gozaimasu: morning greeting
	こんばんは。	konban wa: evening greeting
	元気ですか?	genki desu ka: how are you?
	お元気ですか?	o genki desu ka: how are you?
	はい、げんきです。	hai, genki desu: reply to 元気ですか and お元気ですか
	だいじょうぶですか?	daijobu desu ka: how are you?
	はい、だいじょうぶです。	hai, daijobu desu: reply to だいじょうぶですか
	ようこそ。	yokoso: welcome greeting

Kanakanabu [xbn] (Taiwan: Minchuan.)

Mamanung kara kasu? how are you?

Mamanung ku reply to Mamanung kara kasu

Kavalan [ckv] (Taiwan: northeast coast.)

Nngi aisu how are you?

Nngi aisu ni? how are you?

Nngi aiku reply to Nngi aisu ni and Nngi aisu

Aiku reply to Nngi aisu ni and Nngi aisu

Semurap ta morning greeting

Tutu ta afternoon greeting

Rabi ta evening greeting

Kulon-Pazeh [uun] (Taiwan: west coast.)
	Liak sasanuwan	morning greeting
	Pasurubu	morning greeting
	Pasurubu lia	morning greeting
	Hauiak	general greeting in the Kaxabu dialect
	Isiw riak?	how are you? in the Kaxabu dialect

© 1995 - 2011 by Jennifer Runner. www.elite.net/~runner/jennifers/

Paiwan [pwn] (Taiwan.)

Bulaibulai sun general greeting in the northern dialect

Bulaiyan reply to Bulaibulai sun in the northern dialect

Nasuljivat sun? how are you? in the northern dialect

Uui, maljimalji reply to Nasuljivat sun in the northern dialect

Tarivak? how are you? in the northern dialect

Na tarivak sun? how are you? in the northern dialect

Ui, na tarivak aken reply to Na tarivak sun

Nanguangua sun? how are you? in the northern dialect

Nanguangua a en, timun reply to Nanguangua sun in the northern dialect

Bulabulay sun general greeting in the southern dialect

Uui, masalu reply to Bulabulay sun in the southern dialect

Jia'vai jia'vai general greeting in the southern dialect

Na kenamanga sun? morning greeting in the southern dialect

Na kincengeljanga sun? afternoon greeting in the southern dialect

Na kaivanga sun? evening greeting in the southern dialect

Navenala sun? how are you? in the southern dialect

Ui, navenala ken reply to Navenala sun

Ui, pina alevan reply to Navenala sun

Nasarenguaq sun? how are you? in the southern dialect

Nasarenguaq aken reply to Nasarenguaq sun in the southern dialect

Nanguanguaq sun? how are you? in the southern dialect

Tarivav? how are you? in the southern dialect

'Auri sun? how are you? in the southern dialect

Natarivak sun? how are you? in the eastern dialect

Aianga sun? how are you? in the southeastern mountain dialect

Puyuma [pyu] (Taiwan: eastern coast.)

'Inava u general greeting

'Inavayan general greeting

Semavalran morning greeting

Kinaladan afternoon greeting

Marwvan evening greeting

'Inava u ziya? how are you?

Ai, 'inava ku reply to 'Inava u ziya

'Inava ku, layuwan reply to 'Inava u ziya

'Inava u diya? how are you?

'Inava u kana walidiya? how are you? ("how have you been?")

'Inava ku reply to 'Inava u kana walidiya

Piya ulra meka? general greeting, "have you eaten?"

Piya ku lra reply to Piya ulra meka, "I have eaten"

Rukai [dru] (Taiwan.)

Sabau general greeting

Sabau makanaele general greeting

Margagi mumu general greeting

Mabucukungasu? general greeting, "have you eaten?"

Tua kualrengasu? morning greeting, "have you eaten breakfast?" used in the morning

Tua kudralingasu? afternoon greeting, "have you eaten lunch?" used in the afternoon

Tua kuaubungasu? evening greeting, "have you eaten dinner?" used in the evening

Tikelreng musu morning greeting

Tikdralinga musu afternoon greeting

Tikiubunga musu evening greeting

Aika'o ka polringao? how are you?

Ka polringaokali reply to Aika'o ka polringao

Muadingadingai su? how are you?

Muadingadingadhaku kusu reply to Muadingadingai su

Uunu muadingadingadhaku kusu reply to Muadingadingai su

Muadringadringai so? how are you? in the eastern dialect

Eene muadringadringa zako reply to Muadringadringai so

Ipoyingau nyaso? how are you? in the Tona dialect

E'e, ipoyingaw kake reply to Ipoyingaw nyaso

Saaroa [sxr] (Taiwan: west central mountains.)

Mavacangi ui? how are you?

Tam mavacangü aku reply to Mavacangi ui

Saisiyat [xsy] (Taiwan: western mountains.)

So'o kayzaeh ay? how are you?

Yako kayzaeh ay reply to So'o kayzaeh ay

Kayzaeh ma'alo reply to So'o kayzaeh ay

Ita saboeh kayzaeh greeting spoken to a group of people

So'o kin minremreme' morning greeting

Kin minremreme' morning greeting

Minremreme' morning greeting

Kaksiaelan afternoon greeting

Kaksiaelan kayzaeh afternoon greeting

Haewan kayzaeh evening greeting

Mas hanan nighttime greeting

So'o somini'ael ila ay? have you eaten?

Yako ina somini'ael ila reply to So'o somini'ael ila ay

Yako ina somi'ael ila reply to So'o somini'ael ila ay

So'o babao ila? have you eaten?

Yako babao ila reply to So'o babao ila

© 1995 - 2011 by Jennifer Runner. www.elite.net/~runner/jennifers/

Siraya [fos] (Taiwan.)

Pil kot ia naoiat general greeting in the Pingpo dialect

© 1995 - 2011 by Jennifer Runner. www.elite.net/~runner/jennifers/

Taroko [trv] (Taiwan.)

Mhowai isu
general greeting

Embiyax su general greeting

Krbuan morning greeting

Kjiyanan afternoon greetiong

Kmanan evening greeting

Embiyax su hug? how are you?

Embiyax ku balay reply to Embiyax su hug

Malu su hug? how are you?

Ye su malu? how are you? in the Tekedaya dialect

Malu ku, mhue su reply to Ye su malu in the Tekedaya dialect

Sndamac su bale greeting used after a long absense in the Tekedaya dialect

Sndamac su bale duri greeting used after a long absense in the Tekedaya dialect

Malu su haw? how are you? in the Te'uda dialect

© 1995 - 2011 by Jennifer Runner. www.elite.net/~runner/jennifers/

Thao [ssf] (Taiwan: Sun Moon Lake.)

Maqitan general greeting

Pyakalinkin general greeting spoken to a specified group of people or audience (i.e., face-to-face)

Pashtay pyakalinkin general greeting spoken to a specified group of people or audience (i.e., face-to-face)

Yakalinkin general greeting spoken to an unspecified group of people or audience

Makalinkin reply to Pyakalinkin and Yakalinkin

Maqitan ihu? how are you?

Maqitan yaku reply to Maqitan ihu

Maqitan yaku mani, anuniza reply to Maqitan ihu

Kiminaniza ihu? general greeting, "have you eaten?"

Kiminaniza yaku reply to Kiminaniza ihu

© 1995 - 2011 by Jennifer Runner. www.elite.net/~runner/jennifers/

Tsou [tsu] (Taiwan: west central mountains.)

Aveoveoyu general greeting

Yokeoasu general greeting

Yokeoasu o'oko reply to Yokeoasu

Teko uhnenu? greeting, "where are you going?"

Miko umunu? how are you?

O'ami'o kozo reply to Miko umunu

© 1995 - 2011 by Jennifer Runner. www.elite.net/~runner/jennifers/

Yami [tao] (Taiwan: Orchid Island and Botel Tobago.)

Akokay general greeting spoken to one person

Akokay kamo general greeting spoken to a group of people

Kokay general greeting spoken to one person

Kokay kamo general greeting spoken to a group of people

Kana ni moyab? general greeting, "have you eaten?"

Kana ni koman? general greeting, "have you eaten?"

Kana ni romyag? morning greeting, "have you eaten breakfast?"

Akay kong greeting spoken to an older man (literally, "hello grandfather")

Akes kong greeting spoken to an older woman (literally, "hello grandmother")

Maran kong greeting spoken to an older man (literally, "hello uncle")

Kaminan kong greeting spoken to an older woman (literally, "hello aunt")

Kaka kong greeting spoken to an older peer (literally, "hello older cousin" or "hello older sibling")

Wari cyong greeting spoken to a younger peer (literally, "hello younger cousin" or "hello younger sibling")

Anak kong greeting spoken to a child (literally, "hello child')

Kahakey kong greeting spoken to a male friend (literally, "hello friend')

Kavekes kong greeting spoken to a female friend (literally, "hello friend')

© 2011 - 2012 Jennifer Runner. All rights reserved.

Copyright information
Site: http://www.elite.net/~runners/jennifers/Country Greetings Taiwan.htm

Last updated on July 26, 2011.

Kanakanabu [xbn] (Taiwan: Minchuan.)
	Mamanung kara kasu?	how are you?
	Mamanung ku	reply to Mamanung kara kasu

Kavalan [ckv] (Taiwan: northeast coast.)
	Nngi aisu	how are you?
	Nngi aisu ni?	how are you?
	Nngi aiku	reply to Nngi aisu ni and Nngi aisu
	Aiku	reply to Nngi aisu ni and Nngi aisu
	Semurap ta	morning greeting
	Tutu ta	afternoon greeting
	Rabi ta	evening greeting

Paiwan [pwn] (Taiwan.)
	Bulaibulai sun	general greeting in the northern dialect
	Bulaiyan	reply to Bulaibulai sun in the northern dialect
	Nasuljivat sun?	how are you? in the northern dialect
	Uui, maljimalji	reply to Nasuljivat sun in the northern dialect
	Tarivak?	how are you? in the northern dialect
	Na tarivak sun?	how are you? in the northern dialect
	Ui, na tarivak aken	reply to Na tarivak sun
	Nanguangua sun?	how are you? in the northern dialect
	Nanguangua a en, timun	reply to Nanguangua sun in the northern dialect
	Bulabulay sun	general greeting in the southern dialect
	Uui, masalu	reply to Bulabulay sun in the southern dialect
	Jia'vai jia'vai	general greeting in the southern dialect
	Na kenamanga sun?	morning greeting in the southern dialect
	Na kincengeljanga sun?	afternoon greeting in the southern dialect
	Na kaivanga sun?	evening greeting in the southern dialect
	Navenala sun?	how are you? in the southern dialect
	Ui, navenala ken	reply to Navenala sun
	Ui, pina alevan	reply to Navenala sun
	Nasarenguaq sun?	how are you? in the southern dialect
	Nasarenguaq aken	reply to Nasarenguaq sun in the southern dialect
	Nanguanguaq sun?	how are you? in the southern dialect
	Tarivav?	how are you? in the southern dialect
	'Auri sun?	how are you? in the southern dialect
	Natarivak sun?	how are you? in the eastern dialect
	Aianga sun?	how are you? in the southeastern mountain dialect

Puyuma [pyu] (Taiwan: eastern coast.)
	'Inava u	general greeting
	'Inavayan	general greeting
	Semavalran	morning greeting
	Kinaladan	afternoon greeting
	Marwvan	evening greeting
	'Inava u ziya?	how are you?
	Ai, 'inava ku	reply to 'Inava u ziya
	'Inava ku, layuwan	reply to 'Inava u ziya
	'Inava u diya?	how are you?
	'Inava u kana walidiya?	how are you? ("how have you been?")
	'Inava ku	reply to 'Inava u kana walidiya
	Piya ulra meka?	general greeting, "have you eaten?"
	Piya ku lra	reply to Piya ulra meka, "I have eaten"

Rukai [dru] (Taiwan.)
	Sabau	general greeting
	Sabau makanaele	general greeting
	Margagi mumu	general greeting
	Mabucukungasu?	general greeting, "have you eaten?"
	Tua kualrengasu?	morning greeting, "have you eaten breakfast?" used in the morning
	Tua kudralingasu?	afternoon greeting, "have you eaten lunch?" used in the afternoon
	Tua kuaubungasu?	evening greeting, "have you eaten dinner?" used in the evening
	Tikelreng musu	morning greeting
	Tikdralinga musu	afternoon greeting
	Tikiubunga musu	evening greeting
	Aika'o ka polringao?	how are you?
	Ka polringaokali	reply to Aika'o ka polringao
	Muadingadingai su?	how are you?
	Muadingadingadhaku kusu	reply to Muadingadingai su
	Uunu muadingadingadhaku kusu	reply to Muadingadingai su
	Muadringadringai so?	how are you? in the eastern dialect
	Eene muadringadringa zako	reply to Muadringadringai so
	Ipoyingau nyaso?	how are you? in the Tona dialect
	E'e, ipoyingaw kake	reply to Ipoyingaw nyaso

Saaroa [sxr] (Taiwan: west central mountains.)
	Mavacangi ui?	how are you?
	Tam mavacangü aku	reply to Mavacangi ui

Saisiyat [xsy] (Taiwan: western mountains.)
	So'o kayzaeh ay?	how are you?
	Yako kayzaeh ay	reply to So'o kayzaeh ay
	Kayzaeh ma'alo	reply to So'o kayzaeh ay
	Ita saboeh kayzaeh	greeting spoken to a group of people
	So'o kin minremreme'	morning greeting
	Kin minremreme'	morning greeting
	Minremreme'	morning greeting
	Kaksiaelan	afternoon greeting
	Kaksiaelan kayzaeh	afternoon greeting
	Haewan kayzaeh	evening greeting
	Mas hanan	nighttime greeting
	So'o somini'ael ila ay?	have you eaten?
	Yako ina somini'ael ila	reply to So'o somini'ael ila ay
	Yako ina somi'ael ila	reply to So'o somini'ael ila ay
	So'o babao ila?	have you eaten?
	Yako babao ila	reply to So'o babao ila

Siraya [fos] (Taiwan.)
	Pil kot ia naoiat	general greeting in the Pingpo dialect

Taroko [trv] (Taiwan.)
	Mhowai isu	general greeting
	Embiyax su	general greeting
	Krbuan	morning greeting
	Kjiyanan	afternoon greetiong
	Kmanan	evening greeting
	Embiyax su hug?	how are you?
	Embiyax ku balay	reply to Embiyax su hug
	Malu su hug?	how are you?
	Ye su malu?	how are you? in the Tekedaya dialect
	Malu ku, mhue su	reply to Ye su malu in the Tekedaya dialect
	Sndamac su bale	greeting used after a long absense in the Tekedaya dialect
	Sndamac su bale duri	greeting used after a long absense in the Tekedaya dialect
	Malu su haw?	how are you? in the Te'uda dialect

Thao [ssf] (Taiwan: Sun Moon Lake.)
	Maqitan	general greeting
	Pyakalinkin	general greeting spoken to a specified group of people or audience (i.e., face-to-face)
	Pashtay pyakalinkin	general greeting spoken to a specified group of people or audience (i.e., face-to-face)
	Yakalinkin	general greeting spoken to an unspecified group of people or audience
	Makalinkin	reply to Pyakalinkin and Yakalinkin
	Maqitan ihu?	how are you?
	Maqitan yaku	reply to Maqitan ihu
	Maqitan yaku mani, anuniza	reply to Maqitan ihu
	Kiminaniza ihu?	general greeting, "have you eaten?"
	Kiminaniza yaku	reply to Kiminaniza ihu

Tsou [tsu] (Taiwan: west central mountains.)
	Aveoveoyu	general greeting
	Yokeoasu	general greeting
	Yokeoasu o'oko	reply to Yokeoasu
	Teko uhnenu?	greeting, "where are you going?"
	Miko umunu?	how are you?
	O'ami'o kozo	reply to Miko umunu

Yami [tao] (Taiwan: Orchid Island and Botel Tobago.)
	Akokay	general greeting spoken to one person
	Akokay kamo	general greeting spoken to a group of people
	Kokay	general greeting spoken to one person
	Kokay kamo	general greeting spoken to a group of people
	Kana ni moyab?	general greeting, "have you eaten?"
	Kana ni koman?	general greeting, "have you eaten?"
	Kana ni romyag?	morning greeting, "have you eaten breakfast?"
	Akay kong	greeting spoken to an older man (literally, "hello grandfather")
	Akes kong	greeting spoken to an older woman (literally, "hello grandmother")
	Maran kong	greeting spoken to an older man (literally, "hello uncle")
	Kaminan kong	greeting spoken to an older woman (literally, "hello aunt")
	Kaka kong	greeting spoken to an older peer (literally, "hello older cousin" or "hello older sibling")
	Wari cyong	greeting spoken to a younger peer (literally, "hello younger cousin" or "hello younger sibling")
	Anak kong	greeting spoken to a child (literally, "hello child')
	Kahakey kong	greeting spoken to a male friend (literally, "hello friend')
	Kavekes kong	greeting spoken to a female friend (literally, "hello friend')

© 2011 - 2012 Jennifer Runner. All rights reserved.

Copyright information Site: http://www.elite.net/~runners/jennifers/Country Greetings Taiwan.htm

Copyright information
Site: http://www.elite.net/~runners/jennifers/Country Greetings Taiwan.htm