Greetings Around the World

Did you know people greet each other in hundreds of different ways? In Japan, many people bow. In France, friends often kiss both cheeks. In New Zealand, some Māori people press their noses together in a hongi. Today we will learn to say "hello" in five languages from five different countries!

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to: - Say "hello" in five different languages - Point to the country where each language is spoken - Show one greeting action from another culture, like a bow or a wave - Explain why greetings can look different in different places

Here are five ways to say hello: Spanish (spoken in Spain and most of Latin America): ¡Hola! (say it: OH-lah) French (spoken in France, parts of Canada, and many African countries): Bonjour! (say it: bohn-ZHOOR) Japanese (spoken in Japan): こんにちは / Konnichiwa (say it: kohn-nee-chee-wah) Swahili (spoken in Kenya, Tanzania, and other East African countries): Jambo! (say it: JAHM-boh) Hindi (spoken in India): नमस्ते / Namaste (say it: nah-mah-STAY)

A greeting is not just a word — it is also an action. In Japan, people often bow instead of shaking hands; a deeper bow shows more respect. In the United States, people usually shake hands or wave. Among many Māori people in New Zealand, a traditional greeting called a hongi presses noses and foreheads together to share breath. In France, friends often greet with a kiss on each cheek, called la bise. None of these ways is more correct than another — they are just different!