‘Hello’ Around the World
Dora says “Hola,” Nonny says “Hello,” and Kai-lan says, “Ni Hao.”
There are about 7,000 different languages spoken around the world. Each one lets people express themselves!
Learning even a few words in another language helps children learn to think flexibly and strengthens their memory. Learning about others also helps children understand other people better!
Parent/Caregiver Tip: Even small exposures to foreign languages can help young children learn and boost their mental abilities. (Source)
Instructions
- Let’s play peek-a-boo and say “hello” in many different ways!
- I’ll hide my face behind a blanket.
- When I uncover my face, I’ll greet you by saying “hello” in a different language each time.
- Hola (Spanish)! Bonjour (French)! Jambo (Swahili)! Shalom (Hebrew)! Guten Tag (German)! Ni Hao (Chinese)! Ciao (Italian)! Privet (Russian)! Vaṇakkam (Tamil)! Hallo (Dutch)!
Vocabulary
- Language: an organized system of spoken words
- Greet: to say hello
Instructions
- Let’s learn how to say “Hello” in different languages!
- Let’s look at the list of different "hellos" and choose one or two languages that are different from the language that we speak at home. Hola (Spanish)! Bonjour (French)! Jambo (Swahili)! Shalom (Hebrew)! Guten Tag (German)! Ni Hao (Chinese)! Ciao (Italian)! Privet (Russian)! Vaṇakkam (Tamil)! Hallo (Dutch)!
- Let’s practice saying hello in different languages with our friends, family, and neighbors!
- Let’s ask new friends if they have special ways of saying “hello” with their families.
Vocabulary
- Language: an organized system of spoken words
- Greet: to say hello
Instructions
- Let’s learn how to say “Hello” in different languages!
- Let’s read through a list of different "hellos" together: Hola (Spanish)! Bonjour (French)! Jambo (Swahili)! Shalom (Hebrew)! Guten Tag (German)! Ni Hao (Chinese)! Ciao (Italian)! Privet (Russian)! Vaṇakkam (Tamil)! Hallo (Dutch)!
- Let’s try to pronounce the word for hello in each language. Let’s try to remember the word for “hello” in as many languages as we can. We can make it a contest!
Vocabulary
- Language: an organized system of spoken words
- Greet: to say hello
Learn Different Words for "Hello" Around the World
Say “Hello” in:
Spanish – Hola
French – Bonjour
German – Hallo
Mandarin Chinese – Nǐ hǎo
Thai – S̄wạs̄dī
Swahili – Jambo
Hatian Creole – Bonjou
Italian – Ciao
Portuguese – Olá
Zulu – Sawubona
Japanese – Kon’nichiwa
Arabic – Marhabaan
Bengali – Hyālō
Hmong – Nyob zoo
Filipino – Kamusta
Maori – Kia ora
Xhosa – Mholweni
Vietnamese – xin chào
Korean – annyeonghaseyo
Greek – geia
