100 British Slang Words for Hello: Unleash Your Inner Brit!

1. Hiya

Example: “Hiya, how are you doing?”

Hiya

2. Alright?

Example: “Alright? Fancy grabbing a pint later?”

Alright?

3. ‘Ello

Example: “‘Ello, mate! Long time no see.”

‘Ello

4. Hey

Example: “Hey there, what’s new?”

Hey

5. Wotcha

Example: “Wotcha, love! How’s your day been?”

Wotcha

6. How do?

Example: “How do? Ready for some tea?”

How do?

7. Ey up

Example: “Ey up, lad! How’s the weather up north?”

Ey up

8. Hi

Example: “Hi, nice to meet you.”

Hi

9. Oi

Example: “Oi, mate! Can you lend me a hand?”

Oi

10. Yo

Example: “Yo, what’s up, dude?”

Yo

11. Hi there

Example: “Hi there, stranger! How have you been?”

Hi there

12. Cheerio (more often used as a goodbye)

Example: “Cheerio, old chap! See you later.”

Cheerio (more often used as a goodbye)

13. Good day

Example: “Good day to you, madam. How may I assist you?”

Good day

14. G’day

Example: “G’day, mate! Fancy a game of cricket?”

G’day

15. Howdy

Example: “Howdy, partner! Ready for some line dancing?”

Howdy

16. What’s happening?

Example: “What’s happening, folks? Any exciting news?”

What’s happening

17. How’s it hanging?

Example: “How’s it hanging, my friend? Enjoying the weekend?”

How’s it hanging

18. How are things?

Example: “Hey, how are things going with your new job?”

How are things

19. How’s it going?

Example: “Hey, how’s it going? Long time no see!”

How's it going?

20. How’s life?

Example: “How’s life treating you, buddy? Everything alright?”

How’s life

21. Alright, guv?

Example: “Alright, guv? Fancy a cuppa?”

Alright, guv

22. How’s your father?

Example: “How’s your father? Haven’t seen him in ages!”

How’s your father

23. Alright, mate?

Example: “Alright, mate? Up for a game of darts?”

Alright, mate

24. ‘Sup?

Example: “‘Sup, dude? Ready to hit the town?”

Sup

25. What’s new?

Example: “Hey, what’s new in your world?”

 What’s new

26. You alright?

Example: “You alright? Need a hand with anything?”

You alright

27. What’s the score?

Example: “What’s the score, mate? Did your team win?”

What’s the score

28. How’s tricks?

Example: “How’s tricks, my friend? Enjoying the party?”

How’s tricks

29. Hello, love.

Example: “Hello, love. Fancy going out for dinner?”

Hello, love

30. What’s the craic? (common in Irish communities)

Example: “What’s the craic, lads? Any good pubs around here?”

What’s the craic_ (common in Irish communities)

31. What’s good?

Example: “Hey, what’s good? Any recommendations for a movie?”

What’s good

32. Hello, sunshine.

Example: “Hello, sunshine! Ready for a day at the beach?”

Hello, sunshine

33. How’s your day been?

Example: “How’s your day been, mate? Productive or lazy?”

How’s your day been

34. How goes it?

Example: “Hey, how goes it? Making progress on your project?”

How goes it

35. What’s kicking?

Example: “What’s kicking, folks? Any plans for the weekend?”

What’s kicking

36. Alright, treacle?

Example: “Alright, treacle? Fancy a cup of tea?”

Alright, treacle

37. What’s cooking?

Example: “Hey, what’s cooking? Smells delicious!”

What’s cooking

38. Alright, duck? (common in Midlands)

Example: “Alright, duck? How’s the family doing?”

Alright, duck_ (common in Midlands)

39. What’s the news?

Example: “What’s the news, mate? Anything interesting happening?”

What’s the news

40. How’s the form?

Example: “How’s the form, mate? Ready to hit the gym?”

How’s the form

41. Alright, my lover? (common in South West England)

Example: “Alright, my lover? Fancy a stroll by the seaside?”

Alright, my lover_ (common in South West England)

42. What’s occurring?

Example: “What’s occurring, folks? Any plans for the evening?”

What’s occurring

43. How art thou? (jokingly formal or Shakespearean)

Example: “How art thou, fair maiden? May I accompany thee?”

How art thou_ (jokingly formal or Shakespearean)

44. Hello, gov’nor.

Example: “Hello, gov’nor. Need any assistance today?”

Hello, gov’nor

45. How’s the world treating you?

Example: “Hey, how’s the world treating you? Any adventures lately?”

How’s the world treating you

46. What’s the rumpus?

Example: “What’s the rumpus, mate? Anything exciting happening?”

What’s the rumpus

47. Alright, cock? (common in North West England)

Example: “Alright, cock? Fancy a game of football?”

Alright, cock_ (common in North West England)

48. How fare thee?

Example: “How fare thee, good sir? Enjoying the festivities?”

How fare thee

49. Hello, old bean. (jokingly old-fashioned)

Example: “Hello, old bean. Care for a spot of tea?”

Hello, old bean. (jokingly old-fashioned)

50. How be’st?

Example: “How be’st thou, my friend? Ready for some merriment?”

How be’st

51. How’s the world spinning?

Example: “Hey, mate! How’s the world spinning for you today?”

How’s the world spinning

52. Fancy seeing you here.

Example: “Well, fancy seeing you here! What brings you to this part of town?”

Fancy seeing you here

53. How do you do?

Example: “How do you do? Pleasure to meet you!”

How do you do

54. Top of the morning. (Irish)

Example: “Top of the morning to you, lads! Ready for a grand day ahead?”

Top of the morning. (Irish)

55. What’s the good word?

Example: “Hey, what’s the good word? Anything exciting happening lately?”

What’s the good word

56. Salutations.

Example: “Salutations, my friend! How’s life treating you?”

Salutations

57. Hello, old chap.

Example: “Hello, old chap! Care to join me for a spot of tea?”

Hello, old chap

58. What’s the story?

Example: “Hey, what’s the story with that new restaurant? Worth checking out?”

What’s the story

59. Give us a grin.

Example: “Give us a grin, mate! Let’s see that smile of yours.”

Give us a grin

60. Put it there.

Example: “Put it there, pal! Solid handshake you’ve got.”

Put it there

61. Well met.

Example: “Well met, good sir! How fare thee this fine day?”

Well met

62. What’s your poison? (used in a pub setting)

Example: “Ah, what’s your poison, mate? A pint of ale or something stronger?”

What’s your poison_ (used in a pub setting)

63. Hey up, me duck.

Example: “Hey up, me duck! How’s life treating you?”

Hey up, me duck

64. Any craic? (Irish)

Example: “Any craic, lads? Planning any shenanigans tonight?”

Any craic_ (Irish)

65. What’s the bizz?

Example: “Hey, what’s the bizz? Anything exciting happening around here?”

What’s the bizz

66. How’s your granny?

Example: “How’s your granny doing, mate? Give her my regards.”

How’s your granny

67. How now?

Example: “How now, good sir? Ready for a jolly good time?”

How now

68. Looking well.

Example: “Looking well, my friend! That new haircut suits you.”

Looking well

69. What’s the vibe?

Example: “Hey, what’s the vibe tonight? Are we up for some dancing?”

What’s the vibe

70. Bless my soul, if it isn’t…

Example: “Bless my soul, if it isn’t John! Long time no see, mate.”

Bless my soul, if it isn’t…

71. How goes the enemy?

Example: “Hey, how goes the enemy? Making any progress on your project?”

How goes the enemy

72. Long time, no see.

Example: “Long time, no see! How have you been keeping?”

Long time, no see

73. What’s the damage?

Example: “What’s the damage, mate? How much do I owe you for the drinks?”

What’s the damage

74. What’s the word, hummingbird?

Example: “What’s the word, hummingbird? Anything exciting happening in your world?”

What’s the word, hummingbird

75. How’s the weather up there?

Example: “How’s the weather up there, tall fella? Enjoying the view?”

How’s the weather up there

76. How’s your belly for spots?

Example: “Hey, how’s your belly for spots? Feeling lucky today?”

How’s your belly for spots

77. What’s the dilly, yo?

Example: “Yo, what’s the dilly? Any plans for the weekend?”

What’s the dilly, yo

78. Alright, squire?

Example: “Alright, squire? Fancy a game of pool?”

Alright, squire

79. Alright, chief?

Example: “Alright, chief? How’s work treating you these days?”

Alright, chief

80. What ho!

Example: “What ho, my good fellow? Care for a stroll in the park?”

What ho!

81. How are you keeping?

Example: “Hey, how are you keeping? Long time no see!”

How are you keeping

82. You good?

Example: “Hey, you good? Need anything?”

You good

83. How’s the serenity?

Example: “How’s the serenity, my friend? Enjoying some peace and quiet?”

How’s the serenity

84. How’s the form?

Example: “How’s the form, mate? Ready for a night on the town?”

How’s the form

85. What’s going down?

Example: “What’s going down, party people? Ready to have some fun?

What’s going down

86. How’s your mum?

Example: “Hey, how’s your mum doing? Send her my regards.”

How’s your mum

87. What’s poppin’?

Example: “What’s poppin’, mate? Any exciting plans for the weekend?”

What’s poppin’

88. What’s the buzz?

Example: “Hey, what’s the buzz? Anything interesting happening around here?”

What’s the buzz

89. How’s the grind?

Example: “Hey, how’s the grind? Busy with work or enjoying some time off?”

How’s the grind

90. How’s the family?

Example: “How’s the family doing, mate? Give them my best wishes.”

How’s the family

91. Hello, stranger.

Example: “Hello, stranger! Fancy meeting you here.”

Hello, stranger

92. How’s the job?

Example: “Hey, how’s the job treating you? Enjoying the new role?”

How’s the job

93. How’s the universe treating you?

Example: “How’s the universe treating you, my friend? Feeling lucky?”

How’s the universe treating you

94. Hello, me old mucker.

Example: “Hello, me old mucker! How’s life in the neighborhood?”

Hello, me old mucker

95. Are we well?

Example: “Are we well, my friend? Ready to seize the day?”

Are we well

96. How’s the head? (after a night out)

Example: “Hey, how’s the head? Enjoy the night out?”

How’s the head_ (after a night out)

97. What’s the John Dory? (rhyming slang for story)

Example: “What’s the John Dory, mate? Anything juicy to share?”

What’s the John Dory_ (rhyming slang for story)

98. What’s the goss?

Example: “Hey, what’s the goss? Any interesting gossip going around?”

What’s the goss

99. What’s shaking?

Example: “What’s shaking, my friend? Ready for some excitement?”

What’s shaking

100. How’s the boat race? (rhyming slang for face)

Example: “Hey, how’s the boat race? Looking sharp today!”

How’s the boat race_ (rhyming slang for face)

 

We hope this comprehensive guide has helped you navigate the nuances of British greetings, enhancing your understanding of how to say ‘hello’ in the UK, London slang for greetings, and how ‘hi’ is perceived in British English.

Whether it’s the informal ‘hiya’, the friendly ‘hey’, or even learning to say ‘have a good day’ in British slang, we’ve explored the wide spectrum of greetings across England.

This article should leave no room for doubt on how British people say ‘hello’ or ‘hi’, and provide insight into the varied ways people in the UK greet each other. From common British phrases to less familiar northern slang, we trust you’ll now feel more at home with British greetings, be it in London, across England, or anywhere in the United Kingdom.

So next time you wonder about the British way of saying ‘hello’, ‘good morning’ in slang or anything in between, you’ll know exactly what to say!

Our content harnesses the power of human research, editorial excellence, and AI to craft content that stands out.

Written by Gabriel Cruz - Foodie, Animal Lover, Slang & Language Enthusiast

Leave a Comment