hello – nee-how

To remember that hello is pronounced nee-how (ni hao) in Mandarin Chinese, use the following mnemonic:

I said hello to the jogger with two broken knees. How (nee how) did she run this far?

I said hello to the jogger with two broken knees. How (nee how) did she run this far

1. Nee (knees) is a 3rd tone with ∪ as an accent.

However, nĭ hăo has two 3rd tones in a row so nee becomes a 2nd tone. See 3rd Tone, 3rd Tone Combination Rule.

Associate knees, a 2nd tone, with a balloon filled with helium or anything that goes up. See Tones and Mnemonics.

She was lifted up by balloons tied to her knees

She was lifted up by balloons tied to her knees.

2. How (how) is a 3rd tone with ∪ as an accent.

Associate how, a 3rd tone, with a horse shoe or horse or smile. See Tones and Mnemonics.

How was her smile so big?

Nee = 2nd tone = ⁄

How = 3rd tone = ∪

Examples of nihao (hello) in sentences:

Ni hao, hen gaoxing jian dao ni. - Hello, nice to meet you.

Ni hao? Ni hai zai ma? - Hello? Are you still there?

Ni hao, ni cong nali lai? - Hello, where are you from?