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Greetings in Korean

How many greetings in Korean do you know? “Anyoung haseyo” (hello) is a good start, but let’s try a few more. After this free audio lesson you’ll know some expressions to use at different times of the day, and for casual and formal occasions.

Listen to the native speakers greeting each other, and then go ahead and practice saying each phrase aloud. Once you’re feeling confident with different ways to say hello in Korean you’ll learn some different ways to say goodbye in Korean as well.

Resources for further reading:

It’s important to get the basics right, and the Korean people you meet will really appreciate your efforts. You know you’re saying it correctly if they keep talking, expecting you to keep up! Koreans, in general, are friendly and may expect the same approach from you. So be prepared to be greeted and greet them in return.

As in every other language, in Korean, what you say and do to greet people depends on the time of the day, the occasion and the person you’re greeting. Just saying “Anyoung” (Hi) is impolite. When you’re meeting someone for the first time, stretch out your right hand, and slightly bow. While this is being done, say “Anyoung haseyo!” which literally means “Are you at peace?” Shaking and bowing at the same time is a custom - be careful not to pump the hand of the person you’re meeting, just clasp hands briefly.

How to pronounce greetings in Korean...

Anyoung haseyo! is the most common greeting for someone you meet face to face. It can be used at any time of day and to anyone.

Practice Your Pronunciation With Rocket Record

Rocket Record lets you perfect your Korean pronunciation. Just listen to the native speaker audio and then use the microphone icon to record yourself. Once you’re done, you’ll get a score out of 100 on your pronunciation and can listen to your own audio playback. (Use a headset mic for best results.) Problems? Click here!

안녕하세요!

Annyeonghaseyo!

Hello/Good morning/Good afternoon/Good evening

Hello in Korean

After the first meeting, the next time you meet the same person, you probably don’t have to shake their hand again, unless that person is senior in position or age, or it’s been a while since you last saw him/her.

You can also say “Anyoung!” for “Hello!” but it is only strictly used between close friends and to younger people, as it is informal. Do not use it if you’re speaking to an older person.

안녕!

Annyeong!

Hello / Hi (informal)

But, “Anyoung haseyo!” is always safe! The reply to “Anyoung haseyo!” is also “Anyoung haseyo”. You can prefix this with the person’s name, if you wish.

안녕하세요!

Annyeonghaseyo!

Hello

As a foreigner newly arrived in the country, or on your very first meeting with someone, you can also use one of these options to greet someone.

만나서 반갑습니다.

Mannasuh bangapseumnida.

Happy to meet you.

잘부탁드립니다.

Jal bootak deurimnida.

I offer you a request/Please look after me.

Korean doesn’t have a separate greeting for morning, noon, afternoon and evening. It’s appropriate to use Anyoung haseyo at all times of the day. However, there is a phrase used to say “Good night”.

안녕히 주무십시요

Annyeonghi jumusibsiyo

Good night

Also, at lunchtime and dinnertime, you may be greeted by a Korean asking shiksa hashutsuyo which means “Did you have a meal?” – Don’t worry about getting into detail about what you had for a meal – all you need to say is a simple ne (yes).

식사하셨어요?

Shiksa hashutsuyo?

Did you have a good meal?

Ne

Yes

There are two common ways of saying goodbye in Korean. First, there is the “goodbye” used when you are leaving, as the guest, and the other person is staying. Listen to the audio.

안녕히 계세요.

Annyeonghi gyeseyo.

Goodbye “Please stay well” (when you are leaving)

The second “goodbye” is for when you are staying, as the host or hostess, and the other person is leaving.

안녕히 가세요

Annyeonghi gaseyo

Goodbye “Please go well” (when you are staying)

And for those who want to play it casual, you can use one of the following phrases to say “bye”.

잘 있어.

Jal itsuh.

Bye (Stay well)

The second “goodbye” is for when you are staying, as the host or hostess, and the other person is leaving.

잘 가.

Jal ga.

Bye (Go well)

That’s it for this lesson. Using different greetings will make you sound more fluent in Korean, and it will win you the respect of local people. Try to remember as many as you can!

If you liked this lesson on how to say hello in Korean, you might also like to know how to say where are you from in Korean, or some other basic Korean salutations to get the ice broken!

Anyoung hee gaseyo!

Sujung Lee: Rocket Korean

Make It Stick With Rocket Reinforcement

Reinforce your learning from this lesson with the Rocket Reinforcement activities!