中午好！
Good afternoon!
Wörtlich: Middle-day good!
Use this to greet anyone politely during the lunch hour to show cultural awareness of the time.
In 15 Sekunden
- Used specifically between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM.
- A polite, standard greeting for colleagues, friends, or shopkeepers.
- Combines 'midday' (zhōngwǔ) with 'good' (hǎo) for a simple wish.
Bedeutung
This is a friendly way to say 'Good afternoon' in Chinese. It is used to greet people specifically during the midday and early afternoon hours.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Greeting a coworker at the office microwave
王先生，中午好！
Mr. Wang, good afternoon!
Walking into a small noodle shop for lunch
老板，中午好！
Boss, good afternoon!
Texting a group chat at 12:15 PM
大家中午好，今天去哪儿吃饭？
Good afternoon everyone, where are we eating today?
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase highlights the importance of the midday period in Chinese daily life, which often revolves around a collective lunch hour. While 'Good afternoon' in English covers a long period, 'Zhōngwǔ' specifically targets the peak sun hours. It reflects a modern shift toward standardized greetings alongside traditional inquiries about whether one has eaten lunch.
The 11-1 Rule
While 'afternoon' in English lasts until sunset, `中午好` is best used strictly between 11 AM and 1 PM. After that, switch to `下午好`!
The Lunch Question
In China, asking `你吃了吗?` (Have you eaten?) is often a more common greeting than `中午好`. Don't be surprised if people ask about your stomach instead of the time!
In 15 Sekunden
- Used specifically between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM.
- A polite, standard greeting for colleagues, friends, or shopkeepers.
- Combines 'midday' (zhōngwǔ) with 'good' (hǎo) for a simple wish.
What It Means
中午好 (zhōngwǔ hǎo) is your go-to greeting for the middle of the day. The word 中午 means noon or midday. Adding 好 at the end turns it into a warm wish for a good afternoon. It is the cousin of the famous 你好 (nǐ hǎo). While 你好 works anytime, this phrase shows you know what time it is. It feels a bit more thoughtful and specific.
How To Use It
You can use it exactly like 'Good afternoon' in English. It usually stands alone as a complete greeting. You can say it to one person or a whole group. If you are walking into an office, just say it with a smile. It is very easy to pronounce and remember. Just remember that 中午 covers the time around lunch. It is a great way to break the ice before a meal.
When To Use It
Use this between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM. This is the peak 'midday' window in China. It is perfect when meeting a colleague for lunch. You can use it when entering a shop or restaurant. It works well in text messages to friends too. If you are starting a midday meeting, it sets a professional tone. It is a very safe, polite choice for daily life.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this after 2:00 PM or 3:00 PM. By then, people usually switch to 下午好 (xiàwǔ hǎo). Definitely do not use it in the morning or evening. It would sound very confusing to your Chinese friends. Also, do not use it if you are in a huge rush. A simple 你好 is faster if you are just passing by. Avoid using it in very intense, emotional situations where a greeting feels out of place.
Cultural Background
In China, the noon hour is sacred because of the 'nap culture.' Many people take a quick break or snooze after lunch. Saying 中午好 acknowledges this transition in the day. It is a polite way to recognize the shared experience of the midday break. Historically, Chinese time was divided into two-hour blocks. 中午 represents the peak of the sun's energy. It is a time of transition and refueling for the rest of the day.
Common Variations
You might hear 午安 (wǔ'ān) in more formal or southern contexts. It sounds a bit more elegant, like 'Noontime peace.' Some people might just say 吃了吗? (chīle ma?) which means 'Have you eaten?' This is a very traditional way to greet someone at noon. However, 中午好 is the most standard and modern version. It is perfect for anyone starting their Chinese journey. It is simple, clear, and always polite.
Nutzungshinweise
This phrase is neutral and safe for all audiences. It is slightly more formal than a simple 'Hi' but less stiff than 'Good day.' It is specifically tied to the hours surrounding the lunch break.
The 11-1 Rule
While 'afternoon' in English lasts until sunset, `中午好` is best used strictly between 11 AM and 1 PM. After that, switch to `下午好`!
The Lunch Question
In China, asking `你吃了吗?` (Have you eaten?) is often a more common greeting than `中午好`. Don't be surprised if people ask about your stomach instead of the time!
Don't Wake the Sleepers
Between 1 PM and 2 PM, many offices in China go dark for nap time. If you say `中午好` then, keep your voice low!
Beispiele
6王先生，中午好！
Mr. Wang, good afternoon!
Adding a name or title before the phrase makes it more polite.
老板，中午好！
Boss, good afternoon!
A friendly way to acknowledge the shop owner.
大家中午好，今天去哪儿吃饭？
Good afternoon everyone, where are we eating today?
Perfect for starting a conversation about lunch plans.
各位朋友，中午好。
Dear friends, good afternoon.
Sets a welcoming and respectful tone for an audience.
大懒虫，中午好！
Good afternoon, you big lazybones!
Using a time-specific greeting to tease someone for sleeping late.
亲爱的，中午好，记得吃饭。
Good afternoon honey, remember to eat.
Shows care and affection during a busy workday.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct time-specific word to complete the greeting for 12:00 PM.
___ 好！
中午 (zhōngwǔ) means midday/noon, which is correct for 12:00 PM.
How would you greet a teacher at lunch time?
老师，___ ___ ___！
老师 (lǎoshī) means teacher, and 中午好 is the appropriate greeting for the time.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Greeting Formality Scale
Used with close friends or family.
嘿！(Hey!)
Safe for almost any situation.
中午好！
Used in speeches or with superiors.
午安 (Wǔ'ān)
Where to use 中午好
Office Lunch
Greeting coworkers
Restaurant
Greeting the waiter
Texting
Checking in on friends
Meetings
Opening a noon call
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNot exactly. 中午好 is for the period around noon (11 AM - 1 PM), while 下午好 is for the later afternoon (2 PM - 5 PM).
Yes, it is perfectly polite and neutral. You can say 老板，中午好 (Boss, good afternoon) to show respect.
Not at all! It is a very standard way to greet a shopkeeper or taxi driver during the lunch hour.
中午好 is more common in daily speech, while 午安 (wǔ'ān) sounds a bit more formal or literary, similar to 'Good day'.
Yes, it is a great way to start an email sent around lunchtime. It makes the message feel timely and personal.
The easiest way is to say the exact same thing back: 中午好！ or simply 你好！.
It's a bit early. At 10:30 AM, it is better to use 上午好 (shàngwǔ hǎo) which means 'Good morning' (late morning).
People definitely use it, especially in service industries or professional settings, though 你吃了吗 is more common among close friends.
In Taiwan, 午安 (wǔ'ān) is much more common than 中午好 for a midday greeting.
No, 3 PM is definitely 下午 (xiàwǔ). Using 中午 then would sound like you are stuck in the past!
Verwandte Redewendungen
早上好
Good morning (early morning)
下午好
Good afternoon (late afternoon)
晚上好
Good evening
午安
Good afternoon / Midday peace (formal)
你吃了吗？
Have you eaten? (Common greeting)
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