Expressions for Greetings, Introductions, and Farewells

Expressions for Greetings, Introductions, and Farewells 

The dialogue below consists of Expressions for Introductions, Greetings, and Farewells, and can be used as a model in similar conversations.

A: Hello, I’m Ujang and I’m looking for a Library?
B: Hi, I’m Tole. You’re close; it’s just across the lawn. It’s the biggest building over there.
A: I see, well thanks a lot. You’ve been a big help.
B: My pleasure. Anyway, you’re a new transferred student, aren’t you?
A: Yes I am.
B: So how long have you been here, Ujang?
A: I’ve been here about two weeks. Well, what’s your major Tole?
B: I’m a Biochemistry student. What’s yours?
A: I’m not sure yet, but I’m kind of interested in Psychology. I'm sorry, I have to go. Thanks for your help. Maybe we’ll meet again sometime.
B: Could be, it’s a pretty small campus. Nice to meet you, Ujang. See you later.
A: So long.


GREETING AND FAREWELLS
Almost all conversations start with a greeting and end with farewells. There are several expressions; some formal and some informal. Which to use, of course, depends on the situation.

EXPRESSIONS

Hello, Hi, Good morning, Good afternoon, Good evening, What's up?, What's happening?, Goodbye, Bye, So long, Catch you later, I have to run, I have to be going now, I got to go now, So long, Later dude, Good day, See you again, I hope to see you again, See you later (soon), Call me

WELL BEING

Here are Some Expressions used in asking for someone’s well being to follow up the conversation:
How are you? How’s it going? How are things? How are things going? How have you been? How do you feel? How goes it? How are you doing? How's life treating you?

RESPONSES
IF GOOD (Great, Couldn’t be better, Fantastic, etc.).
IF SO-SO (Could be worse, I can’t complain, Not bad, etc.)
IF BAD (I’ve had better days, Not too good, Lousy, etc.)


INTRODUCTIONS
There are a number of standard expressions that can be used for introductions. Take a look at some of them.

EXPRESSIONS
1. A: Hello, I’m Mr. /Ms. …….
B: Hello, Mr. /Ms. …. I’m ….
2. A: My name is …….
B: Nice to meet you ….., I’m Mrs. ….
3. A: I’m ……….. What's your name?
B: My name is …..
A: It’s a pleasure to meet you Mr. Franks.
4. A: Allow me to introduce myself. My name is ………
B: I'm delighted to meet you …. My name is ……..


INTRODUCING OTHERS
On occasion, you may find yourself in a situation where you have to introduce one person to another. Look at these possible expressions that are used for this.

EXPRESSION

Ujang: Tole, I would like to introduce ....
Tole: Hello ......, nice to meet you.
........: Nice to meet you too, Tole.

Tole: Ujang, this is my friend Tally.
Ujang: Hi Tally, a pleasure to meet you.
Tally: Same here.

Tally: Ujang, let me introduce my supervisor, Mr. Jajang.
Ujang: it’s good to meet you Mr. Jajang
Mr. Jajang: Good to meet you too. But please, call me Jajang.


POINTS TO REMEMBER
• Many beginning learners use the expression “Nice to meet you” even when they interact with a person they have already been introduced to. This expression (Nice to meet you) is only used at a first meeting, not after that. Instead, if greeting a person for the second time, use “Nice to see you again”
• Bye Bye is an expression that very young children use when they are first beginning to learn to talk or on very rare occasions by women, but almost never by most adults.