Greetings Around the World
In Japan, children bow to say hello instead of shaking hands. In Hawaii, people say "Aloha" for BOTH hello and goodbye. In France, friends kiss each other on the cheek! Every country has its own special way of saying hi.
What You'll Learn
How to say hello in five different languages. Why people around the world greet each other in different ways. How to greet someone politely with your words AND your body. A new greeting you can try with your own family.
Hello in Five Languages
In Spain and Mexico, people say "Hola" (OH-lah). In France, people say "Bonjour" (bon-ZHOOR), which means "good day." In Japan, people say "Konnichiwa" (kon-NEE-chee-wah). In Kenya and Tanzania, people say "Jambo" (JAHM-boh) in Swahili. In Hawaii, people say "Aloha" (ah-LOH-hah), a word that also means love and kindness.
Pick one greeting from this lesson and practice saying it three times. Then try it on someone in your family at dinner tonight!
Bowing, Waving, and Shaking Hands
Words are not the only way to say hello. In Japan, people bow, bending forward from the waist, to show respect. In New Zealand, the Maori people press their noses together in a greeting called a hongi. In the United States, people usually wave or shake hands. In France, close friends touch cheeks and make a kissing sound, called "la bise."
Match each greeting word to the country where people say it.
Terms
Definitions
Drag terms onto their definitions, or click a term then click a definition to match.
Why Do We Greet Each Other?
A greeting is like a small gift. It tells someone "I see you, and I am glad you are here." Scientists who study people call this being polite and respectful. Even babies learn to wave bye-bye before they can talk!
What does the Hawaiian word "Aloha" mean?
In Japan, what do people often do instead of shaking hands to say hello?
Make a Greeting Passport
Fold a piece of paper in half to make a little "passport" book. On each page, draw a flag and write one greeting word from this lesson (like Hola, Bonjour, or Jambo). Practice saying each greeting out loud, then use one to say hello to a family member before dinner.
Flashcards — click each card to reveal the answer
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