Hi vs. Hello 

"Hi" vs. "Hello" in English

What Is Their Main Difference?

Both of these words are used when we want to greet someone. However, 'hello' is more formal, whereas, 'hi' is a friendly term.

Differences

We mainly use 'hello' when we want to greet someone in a formal context. 'Hi', on the other hand, is mainly used to greet our friends, families, and close relatives. Check out the following examples:

Example

Hello? Is anybody in the living room?

Hello, I'd like to meet a reservation for three nights under the name of McAdams.

Hi guys! Long time no see!

Hi Janice, I never thought we would see each other again.

Similarities

As stated above, we can use either words to greet someone. Look at the examples below:

Example

Hi there. It's me from the grocery shop.

Hello. My name is Sara.

Are They Interchangeable?

Many native speakers have used these terms interchangeably, but be careful that if you are at a business meeting and say 'hi' to the members there, you will be embarrassed. Compare:

Example

Hi. I'd like to talk to the manager please.

Hello. I'd like to talk to the manager please.

Comments

(22)
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Lizardy
May 2025
hi there - hello there
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charlotte mcgehee
Apr 2025
same. i also use hi
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Maame
Apr 2025
I use hello and hi
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Mar 2025
I use hi more so hi
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Sdf Jean
Nov 2024
And I use Hai
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Sdf Jean
Nov 2024
I think that they are just the same...
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Scott Cool
Jul 2024
I feel like they are both the same and you can use both for each other.
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Amber zhong
May 2024
i still don't get the difference
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Avikshit Ghosh
May 2024
Good
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Ava Krauss
Feb 2024
Hi is better and easier to say
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Kamai Kibutsuji
Feb 2024
It's nice to know something new!
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Vivi R.
Feb 2024
I use them as equals : )
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watahiiiilllll
Jan 2024
thank you but hello and hi are not as good as my helo!
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liv torok
Dec 2023
As a native/ full time english speaker, I personally think that when you get far along in English or maybe any language there really is no formal/informal way to say hi/ hello when im talking with people
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Joe Mama
Dec 2023
hi, im Joe mama, and this really helped me, thank you
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MIA
Dec 2023
hi hello who care its the same
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afina lin
Dec 2023
Hi guys this help me
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margaret
Nov 2023
i don't really get why people don't say hi anymore they kinda just get to the point
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h
Sep 2023
hi
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indian music
Feb 2023
So helpful and thank you for all the suggestions on formal ways to say hi
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Sara
Feb 2023
Thanks for letting me know about this!
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Aurora Gallegos
Feb 2023
this is soooooooo helpful
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