5 Natural English Greetings for Small Groups (Stop Saying 'Hello, Everyone')
Want to sound more natural when you greet a group in English? 🌎 Learn 5 cool, real-life ways to say hi like a native speaker — whether you’re at work, in class, or just hanging out with friends. From “What’s up, guys?” to “Morning, everyone!”, this fun guide shows you when, where, and how to use each greeting (plus what not to say to your boss!).
EVERYDAY ENGLISH
Do you feel weird saying "Hello, everyone" to your friends?
You're not alone! Textbooks teach us formal English, but real people talk differently. They use fun, relaxed phrases that make them sound friendly and natural.
Today, you'll learn five awesome greetings that English speakers actually use when they walk into a room. Ready to sound like a native? Let's go!
1. "What's up, guys?" or "'Sup?"
When to say it: With your friends or classmates.
This basically means "Hey, how are you?" but it's super chill. You don't need to give a real answer!
You: "What's up, guys?"
Friends: "Not much! You?"
Watch out: This is pretty casual. Don't say it to your teacher or your boss. They might think you're being rude!
2. "Hey everyone!"
When to say it: Pretty much anywhere! At school, at work, with any group.
Short, simple, and friendly. This one never fails!
You: "Hey everyone!"
Classmates: "Hey! Morning!"
Secret tip: Smile when you say it. Trust me, it makes you sound way nicer!
3. "How's it going, team?"
When to say it: With your work group or study group.
This one is casual but still sounds kind of professional. Perfect for projects!
You: "How's it going, team?"
Teammate: "Pretty good! Just finishing the report."
Fun switch: You can change team to guys or class. Like "How's it going, class?"
4. "Morning, guys!"
When to say it: When you see people in the morning.
Here's a cool trick: Native speakers almost never say "Good morning" to friends. They just say "Morning!" It sounds way more relaxed.
You: "Morning, guys!"
Friends: "Morning! Got coffee yet?"
Heads up: Save "Good morning" for important people like your principal or your parents' boss.
5. "Long time no see, everyone!"
When to say it: When you haven't seen your friends in a while.
This greeting feels warm and happy. Great for the first day back after vacation!
You: "Long time no see, everyone!"
Friends: "Yeah! It's been forever!"
Cool story: This phrase sounds a little weird if you think about it, but everybody says it. Even native speakers!
🌍 Quick Tip: Be Careful With Who You're Talking To!
If you're from Japan, Korea, or other places in East Asia:
Your culture values respect a lot. So don't use these casual greetings with:
Your teachers or professors
Your boss or managers
Older people at work
Important clients
Use "Good morning" or "Hello" with them instead. Save the cool greetings for your friends!
If you're from Turkey, Brazil, India, or similar places:
These casual phrases work great with:
Friends your age
Classmates and project partners
Young coworkers
But if you're meeting really important business people or older executives, stick to formal greetings.
Quick question: Can I say "guys" to girls too?
Yes! In casual English, "guys" means both boys and girls when you're talking to a group of friends. It's totally normal. But in super formal situations, say "everyone" instead.
đź’¬ Your Mission This Week!
Pick one of these greetings and try it out! Then come back and tell us:
Which one did you try?
How do you say "Hey everyone!" in your language?
Remember: You don't need to be perfect to sound natural. Just practice and have fun with it!
So go ahead, smile big, and try saying: "What's up, guys?"
You can do this! đź‘‹
Read up, speak up, rise up. Go slow. Go fast. Just don't stop.