hallo
hello, hi
Hallo is the most common informal greeting in German, used like 'hello' or 'hi' in English. It is friendly and casual, suitable for most everyday situations, but not for very formal occasions.
Heard in real German videos
Lines where hallo was actually spoken, from German videos watched with DeutschChat.
- Hallo Polizeiwache. Hallo Papa Wutz hier.Hello, police station. Hello, Papa Wutz here.
- Tschüss, Mama. Hallo, Mandy.Bye, Mom. Hello, Mandy.
- Hallo, vornehm französisches Restaurant.Hello, fancy French restaurant.
Example sentences
- Hallo, wie geht es dir?Hello, how are you?
- Hallo, hier ist Anna.Hello, this is Anna.
- Hallo zusammen!Hello everyone!
Common phrases
- Hallo zusammenhello everyone
- Halli hallohi there (playful, informal)
The mistake English speakers make
English speakers sometimes use 'hallo' in formal situations where 'Guten Tag' would be more appropriate. Use 'hallo' with friends, family, and in casual settings; for formal contexts, use 'Guten Tag' or 'Guten Morgen'.
Don’t confuse it with
- Guten Tag — Guten Tag is a formal greeting used in professional or unfamiliar situations, while hallo is informal and casual.
Questions learners ask
Is 'hallo' formal or informal?
Hallo is informal. It is used with friends, family, and in casual situations. In formal contexts, use 'Guten Tag' or other formal greetings.
Can I use 'hallo' on the phone?
Yes, 'hallo' is commonly used when answering the phone, similar to 'hello' in English.
What is the difference between 'hallo' and 'halli hallo'?
'Halli hallo' is a playful, rhyming variant of 'hallo', used in a cheerful or teasing way, often with children or close friends.