### 3. The Highest Level of Formality (Addressing Status)

 formal greeting is not a phrase the way you *address* the person. When speaking to someone in authority or significantly older, you should always use their title.

| English Equivalent | Chinese Pronunciation | Usage |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Mr./Sir** | **?? (Xiansheng)** | Shyan-shung | For men. | **Ms./Mrs.** | **?? (Nushì)** | Nü-shur | For women. |
| **Director/Manager** | **?? (Jingli)** | Jing-lee | Use their title followed by the name. |
| **Professor** | **?? (Jiàoshòu)** | Jyao-shoh | For academic superiors. |

**Example:** Instead of saying "Hello," you would say:

> **"???,??!"**
> (Li Ji, hao!)
> *Translation: Manager Li, hello!*

***

### Summary Table

| Level of Formality | Phraseinyin | When to Use |
| :--- | :------ | |
| **Standard/Neutral** | ?? | Ni hao | Friends, peers, casual encounters. |
| **Respectful/Polite** | **??** | **Nín hao** | Elders, people in service roles, initial encounters. |
| **Professional/Formal** | **??????** | Hen gaoxìng rènshi nín | First-time meetings, business settings. |
| **Highly | **[Title] + ??** | [Title] + Nín hao | High-level meetings, addressing superiors/elders. |