Vanessa compares four common American English greetings—“hello,” “hi,” “hey,” and “what’s up”—and explains how the setting and relationship affect which one sounds natural. “Hello” is familiar to learners and is often used in structured situations, especially when answering the phone. Vanessa says people are less likely to use it when greeting someone face to face in casual daily life.
“Hi” is versatile. Vanessa uses it in conversations with friends and acquaintances and says it can also work in formal situations with a boss or coworkers. It is polite without sounding too formal, so it is a useful default when learners are unsure. She even models saying “Hi, dog” when greeting a dog, showing that the expression can be used broadly.
“Hey” is a little more casual than “hi,” although Vanessa notes that it can still work in some professional settings if the tone and relationship are appropriate. She advises using “hi” or “hey” in most situations, and previews follow-up greetings such as “Hey, how’s it going?” Those add a question after the initial greeting and are covered separately.
“What’s up?” is the most casual option in this group. Vanessa recommends it for someone you already know well, such as a friend or sibling. Although it is grammatically a question, it often functions simply as a greeting. The listener does not have to give a detailed answer; replying “Hi” can be enough. In this way, “what’s up?” may be used instead of “hi” or “hey” among familiar people in a relaxed setting.
For practice, choose a greeting for three situations: answering a phone, seeing a coworker, and passing a close friend. “Hello” fits the phone example, “hi” is a polite flexible choice, and “hey” or “what’s up?” may suit a familiar casual relationship. These are guidelines, not rigid rules; people vary, and tone matters. Practise the greetings aloud and notice how the relationship changes the level of formality.