How are you? and 你好吗 (ni hao ma)?

"GREETING" is the first topic of every language.

These days i have heard lots of Chinese learners say "你好吗(ni hao ma)?" when they meet someone. "你好吗(ni hao ma)?" is translated directly from "How are you?" but absolutely different function in Chinese.If you have lived in China even ten years, you will never heard a native speaker say "你好吗(ni hao ma)?"

We do say 你好(ni hao), which is a pretty damn cool expression, it can be used at so many occasions, such as:

1. Greeting. In the morning, you meet your colleagea at the lobby, you can say "你好"

2. Ask for help. You got lost in Shanghai, you want to ask someone for direction, just use "你好", whatever who she/he is, girl, boy, man, woman, old, yong.

3. Ask for serveice. You finish your dinner at Peace Hotel, you want to ask for the bill, just say"你好", the waiter will come to you.

Do you have such a magic expression in your country? Tell us!