You are preparing to interact with Korean-speaking colleagues, clients, or partners in a professional context. You already know some polite greetings and basic introductions, but you want to sound natural and confident when meeting someone new, explaining your role, and making small talk. This page gives you focused speaking practice using the phrases you have learned, so you can handle first meetings, informal check-ins, and after-work conversations without freezing up.
Specific useful preparation
Before you speak, decide on your register. With new colleagues, older counterparts, or anyone you have not agreed to speak casually with, stay polite: use 저는, -예요/이에요, and -요 endings. Prepare a short self-introduction that includes your name, where you are from, and one interest. For example, 안녕하세요, 저는 알렉스예요. 캐나다에서 왔어요. 등산을 좋아해요. Then prepare a follow-up question to keep the conversation going, such as 어느 나라 사람이에요? or 취미가 뭐예요? Rehearse these aloud until they feel automatic. Also prepare a polite way to ask about someone’s job: 직업이 뭐예요? If you already know the person’s name, you can use it with 씨 after the name for someone of similar or lower status, but avoid it with superiors. Finally, think about one or two details about your work that you can share simply, such as 저는 학생이에요 or 저는 회사원이에요, depending on your situation.
A specific way to handle the harder turn
The harder turn often comes when the other person switches to casual speech or asks a personal question like age. If they use 반말 (casual) with you, you do not have to switch immediately. You can continue in polite speech until they explicitly invite you to speak casually, or until you are sure you are close enough. If they ask 나이가 어떻게 되세요? and you are not comfortable answering, you can deflect politely with a smile and a light comment like 비밀이에요 (It’s a secret) or simply give a vague answer and redirect: 저는 아직 학생이에요. 취미가 뭐예요? If they ask about your job and you are between jobs, you can say 저는 학생이에요 or 저는 회사원이에요, depending on your situation. The key is to keep your tone warm and keep the conversation moving with a follow-up question. If you are unsure about age hierarchy, it is safer to use polite forms and let the other person guide the level.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
어
Hey / Oh (casual attention getter)
eo
야
Hey! (to a close friend or someone younger)
ya
잘 잤어?
Did you sleep well? / Morning
jal jasseo?
뭐 해?
What are you doing? / What's up?
mwo hae?
안녕하세요, 저는 알렉스예요.
Hello, I'm Alex.
an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, jeo-neun Al-lek-seu-ye-yo
저는 캐나다에서 왔어요.
I'm from Canada.
jeo-neun Kae-na-da-e-seo wa-sseo-yo
저는 등산을 좋아해요.
I like hiking.
jeo-neun deung-san-eul jo-a-hae-yo
저는 한국어를 배워요.
I study Korean.
jeo-neun Han-guk-eo-reul bae-wo-yo
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
어, 잘 잤어?
Hey, did you sleep well?응, 잘 잤어. 너는?
Yeah, I slept well. You?나도. 지금 뭐 해?
Me too. What are you doing now?그냥 집에 있어. 이따 봐!
I'm just at home. See you later!Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
First day at a new office
You are starting a new job at a company in Seoul. A colleague named 민수, who appears to be around your age, greets you in the hallway with a smile and says 안녕하세요. You want to introduce yourself politely and make a good first impression.
Your task: Say aloud a polite self-introduction in Korean. Include your name, where you are from, and one hobby. Then ask 민수 one polite question about himself, such as his job or nationality. Speak clearly and maintain a friendly tone.
Coffee break with a close coworker
You have been working with 지연 for a few months. You are both the same age and have agreed to speak casually. It is 10 a.m. and you meet in the break room. She looks tired.
Your task: Greet her casually using an informal morning greeting. Ask if she slept well, then ask what she is doing right now. Use the phrases 잘 잤어? and 뭐 해?
After-work gathering with mixed ages
You are at a company dinner with several colleagues. One is older than you, one is younger, and one is your age. The older colleague asks you: 어느 나라 사람이에요? You answer, and then the younger colleague asks: 나이가 어떻게 되세요?
Your task: Answer the nationality question politely. Then, when asked about your age, decide whether to answer directly or deflect. If you answer, use the polite form. If you deflect, do so with a smile and then ask a question to change the topic, such as 취미가 뭐예요?
Common questions
When should I use 나이 versus 연세 when asking about age?
Use 나이 with peers or people younger than you once you are acquainted. Use 연세 for elderly people or in very formal situations. If you are unsure, start with a different topic and wait for the other person to bring up age.
What if I accidentally use casual speech with someone older?
Apologize briefly and switch back to polite speech. Say sorry in Korean, then repeat your sentence using polite endings. Most people will appreciate the correction.
Sources and further reading
- korean: greet friends casuallyChecked September 2026
- korean: introduce yourself sociallyChecked September 2026
- korean: ask basic personal questionsChecked September 2026
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