How to Say ‘Hi! How have you been?’ in Traditional Chinese
嗨！最近好嗎？
hāi zuì jìn hǎo ma
[hāi dzway-jeen how ma]
🇹🇼 In Taiwan: This is a light, friendly opener for someone you've already met or matched with. It works as a warm-up before you suggest plans.
Phrase Breakdown
嗨！最近
hāi zuì jìn
Hi! Lately...
嗨 (hāi) is a casual 'hi', borrowed from English. It is joined to 最近 (zuìjìn, 'lately'), the start of the question.
嗨！最近忙嗎？
Hi! Have you been busy lately?
Words in this phrase
嗨
hāi
[hāi]
hi
Casual greeting borrowed from English
嗨，好久不見！
Hi, long time no see!
最近
zuì jìn
[dzway-jeen]
recently; lately
Refers to the near past or current period of time.
我最近在看新的工作機會。
Recently I have been looking at new job opportunities.
好嗎？
hǎo ma
Are you well?
好 means 'good' and 嗎 turns the sentence into a yes/no question. Say 好 in the third tone and 嗎 lightly.
你媽媽好嗎？
How is your mom?
Words in this phrase
好
hǎo
[how]
good; well
A basic adjective meaning good, favorable, or well.
這是一個好機會，你可以把握一下。
This is a good opportunity, and you can make use of it.
嗎
ma
[ma]
question particle
A sentence-final particle used to turn a statement into a yes-no question.
你喜歡這個活動嗎？
Do you like this event?
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