A variety of Korean greeting expressions (2024)

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A variety of Korean greetings

A variety of Korean greeting expressions (2)

© Youngsook Lee, Hanyang University

Koreans say “안녕하세요 [an nyeong ha seyo]?” while slightly bowing their head when they greet others.

“안녕하세요?”is used interchangeably to say “Hi, hello, good morning/afternoon/evening”.

You can simply say “안녕?” when you are greeting your friends or a person younger than you.

“안녕하세요?” can be used regardless of the time of the day; it can be used in the morning, afternoon, or evening.

When you are saying goodbye to a person, you would say “안녕히 가세요 [an nyeong hi ga se yo]” or “안녕히 계세요 [an nyeong hi gye se yo]”in Korean.

The direct translation of “안녕히 가세요 [an nyeong hi ga se yo]” is “Go well/go in peace” which is a phrase that is used when you are sending off the other person, and “안녕히 계세요 [an nyeong hi gye se yo]”is “stay well/stay in peace” which is a phrase that is used when you are the one who is leaving.

When you are wishing your friend or a person younger than you a farewell, you can simply use “안녕” just as you would when you greet them.

Do you have any Korean greetings that you would like to know more about? Let’s talk about various Korean greetings in the comments section.

© Youngsook Lee, Hanyang University

This article is from the online course:

Introduction to Korean

A variety of Korean greeting expressions (3)

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A variety of Korean greeting expressions (4)

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Introduction to Korean

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A variety of Korean greeting expressions (2024)

FAQs

A variety of Korean greeting expressions? ›

The most common way to greet Koreans is to bow your head and bend your upper body to say “Hello”. When you arrive at the airport in Korea, you may see the flight attendants folding their hands, bowing and saying “Nice to meet you” 만나서 반갑습니다 man-na-seo-ban-gap-seum-ni-da and “Welcome” 환영합니다 hwan-yeong-ham-ni-da.

What are the greeting styles in Korea? ›

The most common way to greet Koreans is to bow your head and bend your upper body to say “Hello”. When you arrive at the airport in Korea, you may see the flight attendants folding their hands, bowing and saying “Nice to meet you” 만나서 반갑습니다 man-na-seo-ban-gap-seum-ni-da and “Welcome” 환영합니다 hwan-yeong-ham-ni-da.

What are some Korean expressions? ›

15 South Korean phrases for tourists
  • Hello - 안녕하세요 Pronunciation: An-nyeong-ha-se-yo.
  • Thank you - 감사합니다 Pronunciation: Kam-sa-ham-ni-da.
  • Nice to meet you - 반갑습니다 Pronunciation: Ban-gap-sum-ni-da.
  • How are you? - 밥 먹었어요? ...
  • Excuse me/just a moment - 잠시만요 ...
  • I'm sorry - 최성합니다 / 미안합니다 ...
  • Please (please give me...) -

What is the Korean greeting action? ›

The most common way to greet people in South Korea is with a bow. The casual bow is a dip of the head with eyes closed, sometimes accompanied by a slight bend from the waist. This type of greeting is used when informally greeting someone or walking past someone of a higher status.

What does Hwangyong Hamnida mean? ›

When entering a shop or hotel, you might hear staff say 'Hwangyong hamnida (환영합니다)', which means 'Welcome'.

What is the most formal greeting in Korean? ›

안녕하십니까 (annyeonghasimnikka) = hello (formal)

You may see it on the news in Korea; and it's used to greet someone unfamiliar, or of high social standing or age for the first time.

What is greeting style? ›

A greeting can consist of an exchange of formal expression, kisses, handshakes, hugs, and various gestures. The form of greeting is determined by social etiquette, as well as by the relationship of the people.

What are some basic greetings tourists should know in Korea? ›

Hello – 안녕하세요 (an-nyeong-ha-se-yo) Thank you – 고맙습니다 (go-map-seum-ni-da) You're welcome – 천만에요 (cheon-man-e-yo) Excuse me – 실례합니다 (sill-ye-ham-ni-da)

What is formal polite style in Korean? ›

Very formally polite

The imperative form hasoseo (하소서) also becomes haopsoseo (하옵소서; non-honorific imperative very formally very polite) and hasiopsoseo (하시옵소서; honorific imperative very formally very polite). It is used now: in historical dramas.

What are nonverbal greetings in South Korea? ›

If you've watched South Korean series or movies, you probably know that bowing is the traditional greeting in South Korea. Shaking hands is also common, especially in professional settings, but it's always accompanied by a bow.

What is the non verbal greetings of Korean? ›

Non-Verbal Dynamics

Traditionally, Koreans use the bow for greeting; however, handshaking is becoming more common. Koreans do not like to be touched by strangers, and especially not on the head, even children. Prefer no public kissing or physical affection.

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