Greetings¶
Quick Reference
| Korean | Meaning | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 안녕하세요 | Hello | Formal, most common |
| 안녕 | Hi/Bye | Informal, friends |
| 안녕히 가세요 | Goodbye | To person leaving |
| 안녕히 계세요 | Goodbye | To person staying |
| 감사합니다 | Thank you | Formal |
| 고맙습니다 | Thank you | Polite but warmer |
| 고마워요 | Thanks | Casual polite |
| 고마워 | Thanks | Informal |
| 죄송합니다 | I'm sorry | Formal apology |
| 미안합니다 | I'm sorry | Polite apology |
| 미안해요 | Sorry | Casual polite |
Basic Greetings¶
안녕하세요¶
The most versatile greeting in Korean, used throughout the day in formal and semi-formal situations.
Usage: - Meeting someone for the first time - Greeting colleagues, shopkeepers, service staff - Any situation where you want to be polite
Example: - 안녕하세요. 저는 김민수입니다. (Hello. I'm Kim Minsu.) - 안녕하세요? 잘 지냈어요? (Hello? Have you been well?)
안녕¶
Informal greeting used among close friends and to younger people.
Usage: - With friends your age or younger - Casual settings among peers - Can mean both "hello" and "bye"
Example: - 안녕! 오랜만이야. (Hi! Long time no see.) - 그럼 안녕. (Then, bye.)
Saying Goodbye¶
안녕히 가세요¶
Used when the other person is leaving and you are staying.
Literal meaning: "Go peacefully"
Example: - A: 저는 이만 가볼게요. (I'll get going now.) - B: 네, 안녕히 가세요. (Yes, goodbye.)
안녕히 계세요¶
Used when you are leaving and the other person is staying.
Literal meaning: "Stay peacefully"
Example: - A: 안녕히 계세요. 내일 봬요. (Goodbye. See you tomorrow.) - B: 네, 조심히 가세요. (Yes, go safely.)
Memory Tip¶
- 가세요 (go) = person is GOING away
- 계세요 (stay) = person is STAYING
Expressing Thanks¶
Formal: 감사합니다¶
The most formal and common way to say thank you.
Usage: - Business situations - Speaking to strangers - Showing sincere gratitude
Example: - 도와주셔서 감사합니다. (Thank you for helping me.) - 정말 감사합니다. (Thank you so much.)
Polite: 고맙습니다 / 고마워요¶
Warmer and slightly less formal than 감사합니다.
Example: - 선물 고맙습니다. (Thank you for the gift.) - 말해 줘서 고마워요. (Thanks for telling me.)
Informal: 고마워¶
Used with close friends and younger people.
Example: - 고마워! 네 덕분이야. (Thanks! It's thanks to you.)
Apologizing¶
Formal: 죄송합니다¶
The most formal apology, literally meaning "I am guilty/at fault."
Usage: - Serious mistakes - Business contexts - Speaking to superiors or strangers
Example: - 늦어서 죄송합니다. (I'm sorry for being late.) - 정말 죄송합니다. (I'm truly sorry.)
Polite: 미안합니다 / 미안해요¶
Less formal but still polite apology.
Example: - 깜빡했어요. 미안합니다. (I forgot. I'm sorry.) - 늦어서 미안해요. (Sorry for being late.)
Informal: 미안해¶
Used with friends and close acquaintances.
Example: - 미안해. 다시는 안 그럴게. (Sorry. I won't do it again.)
Additional Courteous Expressions¶
실례합니다¶
"Excuse me" - used when interrupting or passing by someone.
Example: - 실례합니다. 길 좀 물어볼게요. (Excuse me. I'd like to ask for directions.)
수고하세요¶
"Keep up the good work" - said to people who are working.
Example: - 수고하세요! (Good work! / Keep it up!)
Note: Don't say this to superiors or customers.
잘 먹겠습니다¶
"I will eat well" - said before eating.
Example: - (Before starting a meal) 잘 먹겠습니다!
잘 먹었습니다¶
"I ate well" - said after finishing a meal.
Example: - (After finishing) 잘 먹었습니다. 감사합니다.
Practice¶
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How do you greet someone formally in the afternoon?
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You're leaving a shop. What do you say to the shopkeeper who is staying?
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Someone holds the door open for you. How do you thank them formally?
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You accidentally bump into someone on the street. What do you say?
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You're at a friend's house for dinner. What do you say before eating?
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How do you say "goodbye" to a friend casually?
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Your boss thanks you for your work. How do you respond?
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You forgot to send an important email to your supervisor. How do you apologize?
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Someone says 안녕히 가세요 to you. Are you staying or leaving?
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What's the difference between 감사합니다 and 고마워?