Definition
A polite word or gesture of acknowledgment when meeting someone or beginning communication. An expression of goodwill upon encounter.
Etymology
From Old English 'gretan' meaning 'to come in contact with, approach.' Related to Old Norse 'grata' (to weep), possibly from the emotional aspect of reunions.
Kelly Says
Different cultures have fascinating greeting rituals - while Americans shake hands, Maori people press noses together in a 'hongi,' and many cultures bow instead of making physical contact. These diverse greetings reflect deep cultural values about respect, hierarchy, and appropriate social distance.
Translations
BNবাংলা
সম্ভাষণ
shom-bhaa-SHON
CACatalà
salutació
sah-loo-tah-SEE-oh
CSČeština
pozdrav
POHZ-drahv
DEDeutsch
Begrüßung
buh-GROO-sung
ELΕλληνικά
χαιρετισμός
khai-reh-TEE-smohs
ESEspañol
saludo
sah-LOO-thoh
FISuomi
tervehdys
teh-reh-VAYS
FRFrançais
salutation
sah-loo-tah-see-ohN
GUGU
નમસ્કાર
nah-mah-SKAH-r
HIहिन्दी
नमस्कार
nah-mah-SKAHR
HUMagyar
üdvözlet
OOD-vur-zlet
IDBahasa Indonesia
salam
sah-LAHM
ITItaliano
saluto
sah-LOO-toh
MRMR
नमस्कार
nah-mah-SKAH-r
MSBahasa Melayu
salam
sah-LAHM
MYမြန်မာ
မင်္ဂလာပါ
min-gah-LAH-pah
NLNederlands
groet
KHROOT
PAPA
ਨਮਸਕਾਰ
nah-mah-SKAH-r
PLPolski
powitanie
poh-vee-TAH-nyeh
PTPortuguês
saudação
sah-oo-DAY-ohN
RUРусский
приветствие
pree-vyet-STVEE-yeh
SVSvenska
hälsning
HEL-sneeng
SWKiswahili
salamu
sah-LAH-moo
TAதமிழ்
வணக்கம்
va-NAH-kkam
TEతెలుగు
నమస్కారం
nah-mah-SKAH-ram
THไทย
คำทักทาย
kham-tak-TAH-ee
UKУкраїнська
вітання
vee-TAH-nyah
VITiếng Việt
lời chào
LOH-ee CHOW
ZUZU
sawubona
sah-woo-BOH-nah