In this workshop, you will practice casual Korean greetings that close friends use with each other. You will hear short, relaxed expressions and see how they fit into a simple conversation. The focus is on understanding and using informal speech in the right situation. You will listen, choose replies, and take both roles in a short dialogue. This is active speaking practice, so try saying the lines out loud as you go.
Warm-up: Short Casual Sounds
Korean friends often start with a very short sound to get attention. One example is «어», which works like a relaxed hey or oh when you suddenly see a close friend. Another is «야», a sharper hey used in an established informal relationship; being younger alone does not make it appropriate. These are not full greetings by themselves in every situation, but they open a casual conversation. Try saying each one softly, then a little louder. Notice how the tone changes the feeling. When you practice, imagine you are greeting a friend you know well, not a stranger or an older person.
Morning and Everyday Check-ins
A common casual morning greeting is «잘 잤어?». It literally asks whether the person slept well, but it works like good morning among friends. Later in the day, friends often use «뭐 해?», which can mean what are you doing right now or what's up. Both are informal, so use them with people you are close to. Practice the rhythm: keep it light and natural. You can say «잘 잤어?» in the morning and «뭐 해?» when you want to check in. Listen to your own voice and make sure the ending sounds relaxed, not formal.
A Short Friend Conversation
Now look at a short exchange. Speaker A says «어, 잘 잤어?», which means hey, did you sleep well. Speaker B answers with «응, 잘 잤어. 너는?», meaning yeah, I slept well, you. Then A replies with «나도. 지금 뭐 해?», me too, what are you doing now. Finally B says «그냥 집에 있어. 이따 봐!», I'm just at home, see you later. Notice how the conversation moves from a morning greeting to a simple check-in and a friendly goodbye. The lines are short and casual. Practice reading them aloud, then try to say them without looking. You can play both roles.
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?
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.
Guided Exchange: Greet and Check In
Imagine you are speaking to a close friend on a morning phone call. You normally use informal speech together. Say the first line, then pause for the recorded reply.
Your task: Say «어, 잘 잤어?» out loud. Then imagine your friend answers with «응, 잘 잤어. 너는?». After that, say «나도. 지금 뭐 해?». Finally, imagine your friend says «그냥 집에 있어. 이따 봐!». Repeat the whole exchange twice, trying to sound relaxed.
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Right Response
You will hear or read a line from a friend and choose the best casual reply from the options. All options come from the recorded lines.
Your task: A friend says «어, 잘 잤어?» to you. Which reply fits best: «응, 잘 잤어. 너는?» or «그냥 집에 있어. 이따 봐!»? Say your choice out loud, then say the other line aloud and explain in English why it does not fit. Next, a friend says «나도. 지금 뭐 해?». Which reply fits better: «그냥 집에 있어. 이따 봐!» or «잘 잤어?»? Say your choice out loud, then say the other line aloud and explain in English why it does not fit.
Recall and Role Swap
Now try to remember the conversation without looking at the lines. You will take both roles, starting with Speaker B.
Your task: First, play Speaker B. Imagine Speaker A says «어, 잘 잤어?». You reply with «응, 잘 잤어. 너는?». Then A says «나도. 지금 뭐 해?», and you finish with «그냥 집에 있어. 이따 봐!». Say your two lines out loud. Then switch: play Speaker A and say «어, 잘 잤어?» and «나도. 지금 뭐 해?» while imagining B's replies.
Common questions
When can I use these casual greetings?
Use them with close friends or people you know well in informal relationships. They are not for strangers or formal situations. If you are unsure, a polite greeting is safer. The lines here are short and relaxed, so match your tone to the friendly setting.
What is the difference between «잘 잤어?» and «뭐 해?»?
«잘 잤어?» is a morning greeting that literally asks if the person slept well. «뭐 해?» is a general check-in that can mean what are you doing now or what's up. Use «잘 잤어?» earlier in the day and «뭐 해?» when you want to see what your friend is up to.
Sources and further reading
- korean: greet friends casuallyChecked September 2026
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