When combined, 晚上 (wǎnshang) sets the time of day, and 好 (hǎo) adds the “good” wish, creating the direct greeting “Good evening.”
While 晚上好 (wǎnshang hǎo) is a direct translation of “Good evening,” its usage has a slightly more formal feel, similar to its English counterpart. In Western cultures, “Good evening” is often used in service industries or formal settings. Similarly, in China, you will frequently hear 晚上好 from television anchors starting the nightly news, hotel staff greeting guests, or speakers addressing an audience at an evening event. Among close friends and family, it's less common. People might opt for more casual greetings like 嗨 (hāi), “Hi,” or the culturally significant 你吃了吗？(nǐ chīle ma?), “Have you eaten?” However, using 晚上好 is never incorrect or offensive; it will simply be perceived as polite and perhaps a little formal. The most critical cultural and linguistic point is to distinguish it from 晚安 (wǎn'ān). 晚上好 is a greeting used upon meeting someone in the evening. 晚安 is a farewell used when leaving for the night or going to bed, equivalent to “Good night.” Confusing the two is a very common beginner mistake.