Hello, World! Learning to Greet Around the Globe
Did you know that right now, in this exact minute, kids all over the world are saying hello to their friends? In Mexico they might say "Hola!" In Japan they might say "Konnichiwa!" In Kenya they might say "Jambo!" Every single language has its own special way of saying hi.
What You'll Learn
- How to say hello in 5 different languages - Why people around the world speak different languages - How to say your name in a new language - Why learning greetings helps you make new friends
Five Ways to Say Hello
Spanish: "Hola" (OH-lah) — spoken in Spain and most of Latin America. French: "Bonjour" (bohn-ZHOOR) — spoken in France, parts of Canada, and many African countries. Mandarin Chinese: "Ni hao" (nee-HOW) — spoken by more people than any other language on Earth! Swahili: "Jambo" (JAHM-boh) — spoken across East Africa, including Kenya and Tanzania. Japanese: "Konnichiwa" (kohn-nee-chee-WAH) — spoken in Japan.
There are over 7,000 languages spoken on Earth today. That means there are thousands of different ways to say hello!
Why So Many Languages?
Long, long ago, groups of people lived far apart from each other — separated by oceans, mountains, and deserts. Each group made up its own words for things. Over hundreds of years, those words grew into completely different languages. That is why a dog is called "perro" in Spanish, "chien" in French, and "inu" in Japanese — but they all mean the same furry friend!
Practice saying "Hola" out loud three times right now. Notice how your mouth moves differently than when you say "Hello"!
Flashcards — click each card to reveal the answer
Which greeting is used in Japan?
Why do different countries have different words for hello?
Build Your Own Greeting Card
Pick one language from this lesson. Draw a greeting card that says hello in that language, with a picture of something from that culture (like the French flag or a Japanese cherry blossom). Practice saying the greeting out loud to a family member and teach it to them.
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