打招呼

• Pinyin: dǎ zhāo hu
• Hanzi breakdown: 打 = 扌+ 丁 (action verb); 招 = 扌+ 召 (to beckon); 呼 = 口 + 乎 (to call)

Meaning

To greet; to say hello; to give a heads-up. A verb phrase describing acknowledging someone's presence or informing someone in advance.

Has two main uses: 1) social greeting when meeting someone, and 2) giving prior notice or making arrangements. The second meaning often implies using connections or influence.

Examples

1. 在中国，见面打招呼最常用的方式就是说你好或者点点头。 In China, the most common way to greet someone is to say 'ni hao' or give a nod.
2. 你走之前跟经理打个招呼，免得他找不到人。 Say hello to the manager before you leave, so he won't be looking for you.
3. 他提前跟主管打了招呼，请假手续才办得这么顺利。 He gave the supervisor a heads-up in advance, which is why the leave application went through so smoothly.

Usage Guide

Context: social, workplace, advance notice

Tone: friendly

Do Say

• 记得跟邻居打招呼。(Remember to greet the neighbors.)
• 这件事你跟谁打过招呼了？(Who did you give a heads-up about this matter?)

Don't Say

• 我打招呼了那封邮件 (打招呼 is for people, not things — for sending notices, use 发送 or 通知)

Origin & History

Compound of 打 (action verb) + 招呼 (to call out, summon). Together meaning to call out a greeting or give notice.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal