Interjection: 喂 (Hello on the Phone)
叹词：喂
Use 喂 correctly as a phone greeting and understand its different tones and contexts
喂 is used primarily when answering or making phone calls. It serves as the Chinese equivalent of "hello?" on the telephone.
喂 has two common tones: wéi (2nd tone, polite phone greeting) and wèi (4th tone, calling out to get attention, less polite). In phone conversations, use 2nd tone for politeness.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Interjection: 喂 (Hello on the Phone) (叹词：喂)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 叹词：喂 pattern
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Understanding 叹词：喂
Every language has its phone greeting, and in Chinese it is 喂. When you pick up the phone, you say 喂 — and then the conversation flows. It is short, efficient, and universally understood. The polite version uses the rising second tone: wéi? — like you are asking "hello, who is this?" The falling fourth tone wèi! is more abrupt and is used to get someone's attention, like shouting "hey!" across a room. On the phone, always use the polite wéi. After 喂, common follow-ups are: 喂，你好！(Hello!), 喂，请问您找谁？(Hello, may I ask who you are looking for?), or 喂，是王老师吗？(Hello, is this Teacher Wang?). Note that 喂 is ONLY for phones or calling out — you would never use it as a face-to-face greeting (that is 你好).
Key Points
- 喂 (wéi, 2nd tone) = polite phone greeting, like "hello?" when answering.
- 喂 (wèi, 4th tone) = calling out to get attention, like "hey!"
- Always use 2nd tone wéi when answering or making phone calls.
- Common phone opening: 喂，你好！or 喂，请问……
- 喂 is ONLY for phones or calling out — never use it for face-to-face greetings.
- After 喂, you typically identify yourself or ask who is calling.
- 喂 can also be used to check if someone is still on the line: 喂？喂？(Hello? Hello?)
- In formal business calls, some people skip 喂 and go straight to 你好.
Phone etiquette in China often involves asking 您找哪位？(Who are you looking for?) or 请问您是哪位？(May I ask who this is?). Using 喂 with proper tone shows you understand basic Chinese phone culture. In business settings, answering with 你好 + company name is more professional.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
喂，是王老师吗？
Hello, is this Teacher Wang?
Polite phone greeting + identification
喂，您找哪位？
Hello, who are you looking for?
Common response when answering a call
喂，你好！我是李明。
Hello! This is Li Ming.
喂？喂？你还在吗？
Hello? Hello? Are you still there?
Checking if connection is lost
喂，请问张经理在吗？
Hello, may I ask if Manager Zhang is in?
喂！你过来一下！
Hey! Come here for a moment!
4th tone — calling out to get attention
喂，我找小王。
Hello, I am looking for Xiao Wang.
喂，请问是北京饭店吗？
Hello, is this the Beijing Hotel?
Common Mistakes
喂 is for phone calls or calling out, not for face-to-face greetings. In person, just say 你好.
On the phone, use the rising 2nd tone (wéi) for politeness. The 4th tone (wèi) sounds like "hey!" and is rude in a phone context.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
On the phone: always 2nd tone wéi (polite). Shouting across a room: 4th tone wèi (attention-getting).
After 喂, the most useful phrases are: 你好, 请问, 是……吗, 我找……
If someone calls you in China, answering 喂？with a rising tone is the most natural response.
Practice a complete phone call: 喂 → identify yourself → state your purpose → say goodbye (再见).
Homework
Write two short phone dialogues (4-6 lines each): one where you call a friend, and one where you call a restaurant to make a reservation. Use 喂 and proper phone etiquette.