喂

• Pinyin: wèi
• Hanzi breakdown: 喂 = 口 (mouth) + 畏 (fear, phonetic) — an interjection called out with the mouth

Meaning

Hello (used when answering the phone); hey (used to get someone's attention).

The standard greeting when answering a phone call in China. Can also be used to call out to someone to get their attention, though this usage can sound blunt. When answering the phone, it is often said with a rising intonation even though the dictionary tone is fourth tone.

Examples

1. 喂，请问是李老师吗？ Hello, is this Teacher Li?
2. 喂，你能听到我说话吗？ Hello, can you hear me?
3. 喂，你的东西掉了！ Hey, you dropped something!

Usage Guide

Context: phone calls, getting attention, everyday

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 喂，你好，请问找谁？(Hello, who are you looking for?)
• 喂，是我，你在哪儿？(Hey, it's me, where are you?)

Don't Say

• 在正式场合用喂来打招呼 (Don't use 喂 as a face-to-face greeting in formal settings — it can sound rude; use 你好 or 您好 instead)

Origin & History

口 (mouth radical) + 畏 (wèi, fear/awe, phonetic). An interjection called out with the mouth to initiate communication.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal