Hello and Goodbye in Korean

Hello and Goodbye in Korean: Essential Expressions for All Situations

Learning how to say hello and goodbye in Korean is one of the first steps in mastering this language. In Korean, greetings vary depending on the level of formality and the situation. Whether you’re meeting friends or attending formal business meetings, this article will help you with the most essential Korean expressions to greet others naturally and confidently.

Understanding Formality Levels in Korean

Korean is a language rich in honorifics and levels of formality, which are essential for social interactions. The formality of your speech often depends on the relationship between speakers, their ages, and the social setting. Let’s break down the key levels of Korean formal and informal greetings:

Casual (반말, Banmal) – Used among close friends, family, or younger people, casual speech (반말) is relaxed and does not require honorifics. It’s ideal for casual situations.
Polite (존댓말, Jondaetmal) – This is the most common form of communication in Korea. Polite speech shows respect and is appropriate in most social contexts, including with colleagues, acquaintances, and strangers. This level often includes polite endings like "요 (yo)" or "세요 (seyo)."
Formal (높임말, Nopimmal) – Formal language is used in highly respectful or professional settings, such as official speeches, addressing elders, or meeting someone for the first time in formal settings. It conveys high respect and is less common in everyday conversations unless the context requires it.

If you want to know more about the formality Levels in Korean, check out this post!

Understanding these Korean greetings across different formality levels will help you engage in conversations more smoothly. Now, let’s explore how to say hello and goodbye in Korean in these different contexts.

“Hello” in Korean

Casual “Hello” in Korean - 안녕 (Annyeong)

안녕 (annyeong) is the informal version of "hello," typically used among close friends, family, or younger individuals. It’s a relaxed greeting for someone you’re comfortable with.

When to Use: Friends, younger people, or family members
Example: To a close friend: "안녕! 뭐 하고 있어?" (Hey! What are you up to?)

Polite “Hello” in Korean - 안녕하세요 (Annyeonghaseyo)

The most common greeting is 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo), the polite way to greet someone. You can use it in various situations, such as meeting someone for the first time, talking to a stranger, or greeting your coworkers. It’s appropriate for any time of day and with people of all ages.

When to Use: Talking to acquaintances, colleagues, or strangers
Example: To a coworker: "안녕하세요! 잘 지내셨어요?" (Hello! How have you been?)

Formal “Hello” in Korean - 안녕하십니까 (annyeonghasimnikka)

안녕하십니까 (annyeonghasimnikka) is the most formal way to say "hello" in Korean. This phrase is typically used in highly respectful or professional settings, such as when addressing elders, superiors, or in formal speeches. It conveys a strong sense of politeness and is less commonly used in casual interactions.

When to Use: Speaking to elders, superiors, or in formal settings like business meetings and public speeches
Example: When meeting a business client: "안녕하십니까? 만나 뵙게 되어 반갑습니다." (Hello! It’s a pleasure to meet you.)

“Nice to Meet You” in Korean

Another key Korean greeting is "nice to meet you," which also varies in formality:

Casual: 만나서 반가워 (mannaseo bangawo)
When to Use: With friends, younger people, or close acquaintances
Example: Meeting a friend’s friend: "안녕! 반가워!" (Hi! Nice to meet you!)
Polite: 만나서 반가워요 (mannaseo bangawoyo)
When to Use: When meeting colleagues, acquaintances, or someone for the first time
Example: Meeting a coworker for the first time: "안녕하세요! 만나서 반가워요." (Hello! It’s nice to meet you.)
Formal: 만나서 반갑습니다 (mannaseo bangapseumnida)
When to Use: In formal situations like business meetings, addressing superiors, or speaking with elders
Example: Meeting a business client: "안녕하십니까? 만나서 반갑습니다." (Hello! It’s a pleasure to meet you.)

“How Are You?” in Korean

To ask someone how they are, you’ll also adjust based on the level of formality:

Casual: 잘 지냈어? (jal jinaesseo?)
When to Use: With friends, family members, or people younger than you
Example: Asking a close friend: "잘 지냈어? 오랜만이야!" (How have you been? Long time no see!)
Polite: 잘 지냈어요? (jal jinaesseoyo?)
When to Use: When talking to colleagues, acquaintances, or someone older than you
Example: Asking a coworker: "잘 지내셨어요? 요즘 어떻게 지내셨어요?" (How have you been? How have you been these days?)
Formal: 잘 지내셨어요? (jal jinaesyeosseoyo?)
When to Use: In professional settings, when talking to someone older, or in formal meetings
Example: Asking a superior at work: "안녕하십니까? 그동안 잘 지내셨습니까?" (Hello, how have you been?)

“Goodbye” in Korean

When it’s time to say goodbye, there are several expressions you can use depending on the context:

Casual “Goodbye” in Korean - 잘 가 (jal ga)

In informal situations, 잘 가 (jal ga) translates to "go well" and is typically used among close friends or family members. It’s a warm way to say goodbye when someone is departing.

When to Use: Among friends, family, or younger individuals

Example: "잘 가! 집에 잘 가!" (Bye! Get home safe!)

Polite “Goodbye” in Korean - 잘 가요 (jal gayo)

For polite conversations, 잘 가요 (jal gayo) is the expression to use when someone is leaving and you’re staying behind, wishing them a safe journey.

When to Use: When someone else is leaving and you’re remaining

Example: "잘 가요! 나중에 봐요!" (Goodbye! See you later!)

Formal “Goodbye” in Korean - 안녕히 가세요 (annyeonghi gaseyo) / 안녕히 계세요 (annyeonghi gaseyo)

In formal contexts, both 안녕히 가세요 (annyeonghi gaseyo) and 안녕히 계세요 (annyeonghi gaseyo) express "go well." The choice depends on whether you are the one leaving or staying：

안녕히 계세요 (annyeonghi gaseyo) - when you are leaving, and others are staying
Example: "안녕히 계세요! 다음에 또 만나요!" (Goodbye! Let’s meet again next time!)
안녕히 가세요 (annyeonghi gaseyo) - when you are staying, and others are leaving
Example: "안녕히 가세요! 다음에 만나요!" (Goodbye! See you next time!)

* You can also use 잘 가세요 (jal gaseyo) in this context for a slightly less formal farewell.

“Have a Nice Day” in Korean

To wish someone a nice day when you leave, you can say:

Casual: 좋은 하루 보내 (joeun haru bonae)
When to Use: Among friends, family, or younger individuals
Example: "오늘 좋은 하루 보내!" (Have a nice day today!)
Polite: 좋은 하루 보내세요 (joeun haru bonaeseyo)
When to Use: When speaking with colleagues, acquaintances, or elders
Example: "오늘 좋은 하루 보내세요!" (Have a nice day today!)
Formal: 좋은 하루 보내십시오 (joeun haru bonaesipsio)
When to Use: In professional settings or when addressing someone of higher status
Example: "안녕히 가세요! 오늘 좋은 하루 보내십시오." (Have a nice day today.)

How to Practice Korean Greetings

Mastering Korean greetings can be challenging at first, but with consistent practice, you’ll improve quickly. One of the best ways to practice Korean greetings is by using language learning apps like LingoDeer, which makes learning fun and engaging. Here’s how you can sharpen your skills in saying hello and goodbye in Korean using the app:

Learning Tips: Each unit in LingoDeer provides detailed grammar explanations, allowing you to fully understand the different levels of formality in Korean greetings.
Practice Conversations: LingoDeer offers a dialogue section named “Fluent Korean,” allowing you to practice both formal and informal greetings with various stories. These conversations help you see how greetings like 안녕하세요 and 안녕 are used in different scenarios, giving you a clear understanding of when and how to use each one.
Interactive Exercises: LingoDeer offers interactive exercises designed to reinforce your learning. Regular practice will help you become more confident in using essential Korean expressions in daily conversations, making them feel more natural over time.

Want to learn more about how LingoDeer can help you master Korean greetings? Check out our detailed review ! You can also visit LingoDeer’s official website, or download the app on the App Store or Google Play to start learning today!

Conclusion

Greeting others in Korean is an important step in building relationships and fostering further conversations. With this guide to hello and goodbye in Korean, you can confidently navigate various social situations using the appropriate Korean formal and informal greetings.