Say hello and goodbye in Korean
Learn essential Korean greetings and goodbyes, when to use each, and how to navigate a first conversation naturally.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
Starting a conversation in Korean can feel intimidating, but mastering a few key greetings and goodbyes will help you make a great first impression. In Korean, the choice of greeting depends on the time of day, the formality of the situation, and your relationship with the person. This lesson focuses on the most common and useful expressions for beginners, with clear guidance on when to use each. You'll learn not just the words, but also the cultural nuances that make your Korean sound natural. By the end, you'll be able to greet someone appropriately, introduce yourself briefly, and say goodbye in a way that fits the context.
By the end, you can…
- greet someone appropriately based on the time of day and formality level.
- introduce myself and ask for someone's name in Korean.
- say goodbye using the correct expression depending on whether I am leaving or the other person is leaving.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
안녕하세요
Hello / Good day
an-nyeong-ha-se-yo
The most common all-purpose greeting. Use it at any time of day with anyone you're not extremely close to. It's polite and safe in almost any situation.
안녕
Hi / Bye (casual)
an-nyeong
Casual greeting used with close friends, people younger than you, or children. Avoid using it with strangers or superiors.
좋은 아침이에요
Good morning
jo-eun a-chim-i-e-yo
A polite good morning greeting. It is much less common than 안녕하세요 and can sound a little textbook-like; it is sometimes used in workplaces or with acquaintances to sound friendly and specific.
안녕히 가세요
Goodbye (to someone leaving)
an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo
Say this when the other person is leaving and you are staying. Literally means 'go in peace'.
안녕히 계세요
Goodbye (to someone staying)
an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo
Say this when you are leaving and the other person is staying. Literally means 'stay in peace'.
처음 뵙겠습니다
Nice to meet you (formal)
cheo-eum boep-get-seum-ni-da
A formal phrase used when meeting someone for the first time in a polite or professional setting. It is often followed by your name.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
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Useful pattern
Korean greetings often change based on the time of day and the level of politeness. The standard polite greeting is 안녕하세요 (an-nyeong-ha-se-yo), which works at any time. For a more specific morning greeting, you can say 좋은 아침이에요 (jo-eun a-chim-i-e-yo), though it is much less common than 안녕하세요. When saying goodbye, the verb changes depending on who is leaving: if you are leaving, say 안녕히 계세요 (an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo); if the other person is leaving, say 안녕히 가세요 (an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo). This distinction is important and shows you understand the situation.
When to use it
Use 안녕하세요 with strangers, elders, or in formal settings. Use 안녕 only with close friends or those younger than you. In the morning, 좋은 아침이에요 is a nice touch but not required. For goodbyes, remember: if you are the one leaving, say 안녕히 계세요; if the other person is leaving, say 안녕히 가세요. If both of you are leaving, you can say 안녕히 가세요 to each other. When meeting someone for the first time in a formal context, use 처음 뵙겠습니다 (cheo-eum boep-get-seum-ni-da) and then introduce yourself.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
안녕하세요. 처음 뵙겠습니다. 저는 마이클입니다.
Hello. Nice to meet you. I am Michael.an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. cheo-eum boep-get-seum-ni-da. jeo-neun ma-i-keul-im-ni-da.안녕하세요, 마이클 씨. 저는 수진입니다. 만나서 반갑습니다.
Hello, Michael. I am Sujin. Nice to meet you.an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, ma-i-keul ssi. jeo-neun su-jin-im-ni-da. man-na-seo ban-gap-seum-ni-da.수진 씨, 만나서 반갑습니다. 잘 부탁드립니다.
Sujin, nice to meet you. Please take care of me.su-jin ssi, man-na-seo ban-gap-seum-ni-da. jal bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.네, 잘 부탁드립니다. 오늘 날씨가 좋네요.
Yes, please take care of me too. The weather is nice today.ne, jal bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da. o-neul nal-ssi-ga jon-ne-yo.네, 정말 좋네요. 그런데 이제 가봐야 해서요. 안녕히 계세요.
Yes, it's really nice. But I have to go now. Goodbye (stay well).ne, jeong-mal jon-ne-yo. geu-reon-de i-je ga-bwa-ya hae-seo-yo. an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo.네, 안녕히 가세요. 다음에 또 뵙겠습니다.
Yes, goodbye (go well). See you again next time.ne, an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo. da-eum-e tto boep-get-seum-ni-da.A little context goes a long way
In Korean culture, the choice between 안녕히 가세요 and 안녕히 계세요 is not just about politeness but also about acknowledging the other person's state. Using the wrong one can sound odd, like saying 'goodbye' to someone who is staying. Also, when meeting someone for the first time, a slight bow is common, especially in formal settings. Handshakes are also common in business contexts, often with the left hand supporting the right forearm as a sign of respect. Age and social status heavily influence language, so when in doubt, use the polite form 안녕하세요 and the appropriate goodbye.
One thing to watch for
Using 안녕히 가세요 when you are the one leaving and the other person is staying.
Try this instead: If you are leaving, say 안녕히 계세요 (an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo) to the person who is staying. For example, when leaving a friend's house, you say 안녕히 계세요 to them. If they are leaving your house, you say 안녕히 가세요.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You are leaving a store and the shopkeeper is staying. What do you say?
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안녕히 계세요.
Because you are leaving and the shopkeeper is staying, you use 안녕히 계세요. If the shopkeeper were leaving, you would say 안녕히 가세요.
2You meet your friend's grandmother for the first time. What greeting should you use?
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안녕하세요. 처음 뵙겠습니다.
Use the polite greeting 안녕하세요 and the formal first-meeting phrase 처음 뵙겠습니다. Avoid casual 안녕 with elders you've just met.
3Your close friend is leaving your house. What do you say?
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안녕히 가세요. (or 잘 가, if you're very close)
Since your friend is leaving, use 안녕히 가세요. With a very close friend, you could also use the casual 잘 가, but 안녕히 가세요 is safe and polite.
Remember: 안녕하세요 is your go-to greeting. For goodbyes, use 안녕히 계세요 when you leave, and 안녕히 가세요 when the other person leaves. Practice these in context to sound natural.
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