Hi, I'd like to know the difference between ni hao and nin hao. I mean, could you also say ni hao to somebody you don't know? Does it show respect or is better to use nin hao? Thank you. We encourage children to learn this simple Mandarin song with us! Ni Hao = HelloNi Hao Ma = How are you?Da Jia Hao = Hello Everyone----- "Ni hao" (pronounced as "nee haow") is the basic greeting in Mandarin, which can be literally translated as "you good" in English. The first word "ni" is pronounced with a tone that rises in pitch, while the second word "hao" is pronounced with a tone that dips followed by a rising pitch. sWcAeA.