Compiled by: Irma suciati Stefani Dendi Rifan

The standard greeting in Japan is konnichiwa (pronounced "kone-neechee-wah") and is usually offered with a slight bow.

Shaking hands is rarely an option in Japan, and to not return someone's bow is considered rude. Although seemingly simple, bowing follows a rigid protocol based on age and social status.
While konnichiwa is primarily used during the day and afternoon, "konbanwa" (pronounced "kone-bahn-wah") is used as a greeting in the evening.

 The

basic way to say hello in China is with ni hao (pronounced nee haow). Both words have a tone which falls then rises in the middle. As a sign of respect to elders and superiors, use neen haow instead. Adding ma to the end of your hello (ni hao ma) is optional but more suited for conversing with friends. Outside of funerals and apologies, bowing is less common in mainland China. Many Chinese opt to shake hands now, although it may not be the firm handshake we expect in the West.

 The

standard greeting and conversation closer in India is 'namaste' (pronounced 'nah-mehstay'). Sometimes used in the West, the Sanskrit word roughly means 'I bow to you' and is used as a way to lower your ego before others. Namaste is accompanied with a prayer-like gesture similar to the waiin Thailand.

 The

basic greeting differs slightly in Hong Kong and Cantonese-speaking regions from the rest of China. Neih hou or lay hou replaces ni hao in most instances.

 Greetings

in Korean are not based around the time of day. Instead, ways to say hello follow the rules of showing respect to people that are older or of higher status than yourself. Korean is not a tonal language, so learning how to say hello is easy

 Thai

people are very friendly and welcoming to foreign visitors; you're bound to get more smiles there than you can return! Although the language is tonal, you can easily learn the basic hello (it differs between men and women) and ask people how they are doing.

 Bahasa

Indonesia, the official language of Indonesia, is similar to Malay: greetings are offered based on the time of day. With simple, predictable rules of pronunciation and a lack of tones, learning the basic Indonesian greetings is easy.

 As

with Indonesian, Bahasa Melayu lacks tones and greetings are offered based on the time of day. Despite the similarities between the languages, some basic greetings are different in Malay. You'll be able to offer these simple 'hellos' in Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, and in Indonesia.