“Are you tired of greeting your Korean friends and colleagues with a boring old ‘hello’? and want to try some other Korean greetings.
Or how about “Sarang-hae” (I love you) to your bestie, that would be a great way to kick off a bromance or romance.
Whether you’re in a Korean language class or simply want to make a great impression, we’ve got you covered! Mastering this list of common and not-so-common Korean greetings, along with real-life examples, will prepare you for any social occasion.
So sit back, grab a bowl of kimchi, and let’s get started on this fun ride!”
Table of Contents
List of Common Korean Greetings
Hey there! Have you ever stopped to think about how many greetings you use throughout your day, from the moment you wake up until you hit the bed?
It’s probably quite a lot, isn’t it?
Well, guess what? Koreans are no exception to this!
When Koreans meet someone for the first time, they often start with a simple “hi” and ask how the other person is doing. And when it’s time to say goodbye, they have their own unique ways to bid farewell.
It’s fascinating how these greetings can vary depending on the context and situation.
The Korean language itself is known for being rich and diverse, so it’s essential to learn some basic greetings that you’ll encounter in everyday conversations.
Don’t worry, I’ll help you out with that!
Here are a few Korean greetings for beginners. These are considered the basic and standard greetings that you’ll commonly come across.
- 안녕하세요 (annyeong haseyo)- (Hello)
- 안녕히 계세요(AnnyeongHi Gyeseyo)- (Goodbye)
- 잘 지내셨어요? (jal jinaesyeosseoyo)-how are you in koean
- 좋은 아침! (joeun achim)-good morning
- “Jeongmal mianhaeyo” (I’m sorry)
- 고마워 (gomawo)- (Thank you)
- “Cheoeum boepgesseumnida” (Nice to meet you)
- “Eotteokhaji?” (How are you?)
- “Jal jinaeseyo” (Please take care)
- “Nado saranghae” (I love you)
- “Jinjja?” (Really?)
- “Eotteoke?” (What?)
Hello in Korean| When you meet someone
안녕하세요 (annyeong haseyo) is the standard and respected way of saying hello in Korean, literally meaning “to do peace” or “to have peace”. 안녕 (annyeong) is the informal way of saying hello in the Korean language, meaning peace, and it’s equivalent to “hi in Korean.” The formal way to say “hello” is 안녕하십니까? (Annyeonghasimnikka). This is often used in announcements, speeches, or on the news.
Here’s how to say hello in Korean in casual, formal, and polite situations.
- 안녕하세요 (annyeong haseyo)- The standard way to say hello in Korean.
- 안녕 (annyeong)—say hello in Korean to friends.
- 녕하십니까 (annyeong hasimnikka)—the formal way to hello in Korean
- 여보세요 (yeoboseyo)-“Hello” when answering the phone.
These two are for “good morning/afternoon/evening” all.
Korean doesn’t have time-specific greetings, unlike English. So, we just say “안녕” or “안녕하세요” regardless of time. You can use 안녕하세요 (annyeong haseyo)
Goodbye in Korean| When you say bye to someone
To say goodbye in korean is always a good idea to end your conversations with friends or family in Korea.
안녕히 계세요(AnnyeongHi Gyeseyo) is the standard polite way to say goodbye in Korean when you are the one leaving and literally translates to “please stay well.”. On the other hand, 안녕히 가세요 (An nyeong hi ga se yo) is used when you are the one staying. It means “Please go well.” 잘가 [jal-ga] This literally translates to “bye (stay well),” which you can use with your friends.
Here is a list of the 9 ways to say bye in Korean depending on the other person’s age or how well you know them.
- Casual – 잘 가 (Jal-ga)
- Polite – 안녕히 가세요 (annyeonghee gaseyo)
- Formal – 안녕히 가십시오 (annyeonghee gasipshio)
- Casual – 잘 있어 (Jal-isseo)
- Polite – 안녕히 계세요 (annyeonghee geseyo)
- Formal – 안녕히 계십시오 (annyeonghee gesipshio)
- Polite- 가세요 (gaseyo)
- Informal- 안녕 (annyeong)
- 끊을게요 (kkeunh eulgeyo)-bye” in Korean when ending a phone call.
How are you in Korean| Asking someone about the conditions
You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression, and knowing how to say “hello” and “how are you in Korean” will ensure you get brownie points.
Koreans don’t really say How are you in Korean directly but you have heard 잘 지내셨어요? (jal jinaesyeosseoyo)?’. It has more likely been, “How have you been?”
So, How To Say “How Are You In Korean?”
The translation of ‘How are you?’ in Korean is 잘 지내셨어요? (jal jinaesyeosseoyo)?’ means” ‘Have you lived well?’. ‘잘’ means’ well ‘and 지내셨어요? came from the verb ‘지내다’means’ “to live.” You can also say 잘 있었어요? (jal isseosseoyo) means “have you been well?”. You can only use it with people you know but have not seen in a long time.
As you can see, it is not a direct translation of ‘How are you?’ Unlike English, just say hello and go straight to the point.
Here’s a list of how to say “How are you” in Korean from formal to informal.
- 잘 지내셨어요? (jal jinaesyeosseoyo?) – formal
- 안녕히 계셨어요? (annyeonghi gesyeosseoyo?) – formal
- 잘 있었어요? (jal isseosseoyo?) – standard polite
- 잘 지냈어? (jal jinaesseo?) – informal
- 잘 있었어? (jal isseosseo?) – informal
Before you eat something
“잘 먹겠습니다” is a common Korean expression used before starting a meal. It is the equivalent of “Bon Appétit” or “Enjoy your meal” in English.
The literal translation of “잘 먹겠습니다” is “I will eat well”.
One Of the interesting facts about korea is that Korean express gratitude by saying잘 먹겠습니다 for the food that is about to be consumed and to wish for a pleasant dining experience.
After you eat something
잘 먹었습니다 — Literally means “(I) ate (this) well.” As you see, it’s the past form of the former one. 잘 먹겠습니다 is in the future tense as you were before eating something.
Good morning in Korean
Are you ready to start your day off with a bang? Then you’ll want to learn how to greet others with a cheerful “good morning in Korean”
Speaking “good morning in korean” is not just good manners, but also a conversation starter.
The literal translation of “good morning” in Korean language is 좋은 아침! (joeun achim)좋은 (joeun) means “good” and 아침 (achim) means “morning”.
But it’s awkward. Koreans generally don’t use greetings like that to say morning in Korea in daily life.
Koreans just say “안녕하세요(hello)” when wishing someone a good day in Korean.
The standard way to say good morning in Korean is 좋은 아침이에요(joeun achimieyo). The translation of good morning in Korean is 좋은 아침 but Korean speakers don’t typically use it to say morning in Korean.
Instead, they simply say “안녕하세요”(hello). The informal way to say good morning is 잘 잤어? (jal jasseo) means “Did you sleep well?” with friends.
For elders, you can use the formal form 잘 주무셨어요? (jal jumusyeosseoyo) or 안녕히 주무셨어요? (annyeonghi jumusyeosseoyo) to say good morning in Korea.
Here are the 7 most common ways to say good morning in Korean language, depending upon politeness level (the other person’s age) and situations.
- 좋은 아침이에요(joeun achimieyo).
- 잘 잤어? (jal jasseo)
- 안녕히 주무셨어요? (annyeonghi jumusyeosseoyo).
- 주무셨어요? (jal jumusyeosseoyo)
- 잘 잤어요? (jal jasseoyo)
- 좋은 아침! (joeun achim)
- 좋은 아침입니다 (joeun achimimnida)
Good night in Korean| Before someone go to bed or sleep
We need to sleep every day and saying “goodnight” and “hi” in Korean is essential, but how to say good night in Korean.
And 안녕히 주무세요 (annyeonghi jumuseyo) is the standard and respected way of saying good night in korean means “sleep peacefully”. 잘 자요 (jal jayo) is also the polite way to say good night (made up 잘 (good/well) and 자요 (verb 자다- to sleep)).
좋은 꿈 꿔요 (joeun kkum kkwoyo) also means good night which translated as “have a sweet dream”. you can also use 잘 자 (Jalja) with people who are very close to you or younger than you.
Here are the 7 common ways to say “good night” in Korean, depending upon politeness and situation level.
- 안녕히 주무세요 (annyeonghi jumuseyo)
- 잘 자요 (jal jayo)
- 좋은 꿈 꿔요 (joeun kkum kkwoyo)
- 안녕히 주무십시오(Ahnyeonghi joomoosipsioh)
- 잘 자 (Jalja)
- 내 꿈 꿔(nae kkum kkwo)
- 굿나잇
How to say “See you next time” in Korean
The most common way to say “See you next time” in Korean is “다음에 뵙겠습니다” (da-eum-e boepge-sseum-ni-da), which can be Romanized as “daeum-e boepkesseumnida”. This phrase is a polite and formal way to say goodbye, and it is often used in professional or formal settings, such as when ending a business meeting or after meeting someone for the first time.
If you want to say “See you next time” in a more casual setting, you can say “다음에 봐” (da-eum-e bwa), which is a shorter and more informal way to say the same thing. This phrase is often used among friends, family members, and acquaintances, and it is generally considered less polite and formal than the previous phrase.
또 means ‘again’ and 봐요 is the polite form of 보다 which means ‘to see’, so this phrase means ‘see you again’, and there are also different versions of the same phrase:
we can also say ‘see you later’ in Korean and this is 또 봐요. 또 means ‘again’ and 봐요 is the polite form of 보다 which means ‘to see’, so this phrase means ‘see you again’, and there are also different versions of the same phrase: 나중에 또 봐요 (najoonge ddo bwayo)
나중에 봐요 (nachunge bwayo)-This is another way to say “see you next time” or “see you later”. You can remove the 요 to make it more casual.
Thank you in Korean
Saying hello and thank you in Korean gives you more power(in a conversation)
When you show gratitude, it gives you a more positive outlook, shares kindness, and of course, makes people smile as well.
Here’s how
감사합니다(Kam-sa-ham-ni-da) means “thank you” in Korean and is the standard way. You can use it to show respect to strangers, elderly people, and your boss at work. Koreans also use 고맙습니다(gomabseubnida) in all formal settings, whereas고마워 (gomawo) is casual which can be used with siblings, friends, as well as those younger than you. In polite situations, you can use the phrases 고마워요 (gomawoyo)/ 감사해요 (gamsahaeyo) to show appreciation
So, Here is how to say thank you in Korean(formal & informal) in different situations.
- Thank you in Korean informal – 고마워 (gomawo)
- Thank you in Korean polite – 고마워요 (gomawoyo) or 감사해요 (gamsahaeyo)
- Thank you in Korean formal – 감사합니다(kam-sa-ham-ni-da) or 고맙습니다 (gomabseubnida)
Want to know more? Here’s a detailed guide on 7 ways to say “thank you” in Korean (from formal to informal) for you.
You’re welcome in Korean
In English, there are many different ways to reply when being thanked, such as “You’re welcome, No problem. Any time, Sure thing, My pleasure “etc.
But Responding to “Thank you” in Korean is not the same as it is in English.
But in Korean culture, the phrase “you are welcome” is not that common.
However, there are several ways to say “you’re welcome” in Korean. The most common is “아니야” and “아니에요 means “It’s nothing/no problem,” or you can simply respond by saying “Yes” with “네” or the more casual “예”.
In textbooks, they tell you that You’re welcome translates to 천만에요.Nobody uses it anymore.
Here‘s how to Say You’re Welcome in Korean and 3 common ways to reply to thank you in Korean.
- (Polite) 아니에요 (anieyo) – not at all.
- 천만에요 (cheonmaneyo)– you’re welcome,
- {Formal} 별말씀을요 – don’t mention it.
To sound even more like Korean, add 에이… in front of those like 에이, 아니예요. It means “Nahhh, it’s nothing”. That Nahhh adds a whole lot of flavor to it.
아니에요 (Anieyo)– It’s Nothing/ IT’S OKAY
아닙니다 or 아니예요 means It’s nothing/no problem/it’s okay. It is a polite and indirect way to say You’re Welcome in Korean. However, you can use the causal from “아니야, 아냐 (a shorter version)” for talking to a friend or someone younger than you. 아닙니다( Anipnida) is the formal and polite way to reply to thank you in Korean. Just use 괜찮아요/아니에요/” for talking to people older than you.
Here is how to say you are welcome in Korean in formal, casual, and polite situations.
- Casual way- 아니야. aniya
- informal, plainly polite – 아니에요. anieyo (literally means “no”)
- Formal and polite – 아닙니다. anipnida [animnida]
천만에요 (Cheonmaneyo)- YOU ARE WELCOME IN Korean
“천만에요(cheonmaneyo)” in Korean means “You are welcome.” In today’s Korea, no one ever says that in real-life conversations. It’s a phrase from a high school textbook. You can just say,아니에요. and it will sound a lot more natural when someone says thank you in Korean.
별말씀을요 (Byeolmalsseumeullyo)- DON’T MENTION IT
‘별말씀을요’ means ‘don’t mention it. This phrase is formal and more commonly used than 천만에요.
Excuse me in Korean
To say “Excuse me in Korean”, you would say “실례합니다” (pronounced: shil-le-hap-ni-da). Use this handy phrase when you need to grab someone’s attention or when you want to say sorry for a small mishap.
you’re in a crowded place and need to squeeze past someone, or maybe you’re trying to catch the eye of that busy shopkeeper. The magic words are “잠시만요”, pronounced “jam-shi-man-yo”. It’s like saying “Just a moment, please” in English.
Pretty useful, right?
And don’t forget about “여기요” (yeogiyo) and “저기요” (jeogiyo). These two are your go-to phrases for calling someone over, whether it’s to order another round of kimchi pancakes at your favorite restaurant or to ask for directions in the bustling streets of Seoul.
Please note that the level of politeness in the Korean language is quite important, and these are the more polite versions of “Excuse me”.
Always consider the context and the relationship you have with the person you’re speaking to.
Here’s how to Say Excuse Me in Korean in 5 different ways including formal, standard, and informal expressions.
- Standard “Excuse Me” in Korean – 잠깐만요 (jamkkanmanyo) / 잠시만요 (jamsimanyo)
- Informal “Excuse Me” in Korean-잠깐만 (jamkkanman) / 잠시만 (jamsiman)
- Formal “Excuse Me” in Korean – 실례합니다 (sillyehamnida)
- 여기요 (yeogiyo) and 저기요 (jeogiyo)- when trying to get somebody’s attention
- 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida) – To Ask A Favor
Nice to meet you in Korean
What did you say when you met someone for the first time?
Well, something like Hi, how are you or Nice to meet you in Korean. (if you are in Korea)
But how do you say nice to meet you in Korean?
To say nice to meet you in Korean, you can say 만나서 반가워요 (mannaseo bangawoyo). It’s made up of two words such as 만나다(mannada) means “to meet” and 반갑다(bangapda) means “to be happy”. 만나서 반갑습니다 (mannaseo bangapseumnida), which means “nice to meet you in Korean formal way. With friends, you can use the causal way 만나서 반가워 (mannaseo bangawo).
Here’s how to say nice to meet you in Korean in 3 different ways depending on the level of formality.
- nice to meet you in Korean formal-만나서 반갑습니다 (mannaseo bangapseumnida),
- nice to meet you in Korean standard-만나서 반가워요 (mannaseo bangawoyo)
- nice to meet you in Korean causal-만나서 반가워 (mannaseo bangawo).
Please Give Me In Korean- 주세요 (Juseyo)
주세요 [ju-se-yo] means ‘Please give me’ in Korean which comes from the verb 주다, which means “to give”, and the polite ending ~(으)세요). You can use this word when you want to ask for things in Korean.
To use 주세요 (juseyo) in Korean sentences, You simply add the word for the thing that you want someone to give you before 주세요.
The basic structure to say Please Give Me’ In Korean[주세요 (juseyo)] is
[Thing you want given or passed] + “주세요 (juseyo)”
For example, if you want some beer you simply say 맥주 (beer) + 주세요 (please give me) = 맥주 주세요 [maegju ju-se-yo] (Please give me a beer).
- Please give me a coke = 콜라 주세요= 콜라(coke) + 주세요
- Please give me water = 물 주세요= 물(water) + 주세요
- Please give me that = 그거 주세요= 그거(that) + 주세요
- Please give me kimbap=김밥 주세요= 김밥(kimbap) + 주세요
- Please explain it to me.= 설명해주세요= 설명하라(explain) + 주세요
- Please accept my gift = 선물을 받아주세요= 설명(gift) + 주세요
- Please give me money=돈 주세요= 돈(money) + 주세요
- Please give me cigarette=담배 주세요= 담배(cigaratte) + 주세요
You can also be used after the verb for example
Please show me
보여주세요
Let me explain with examples
Please help me
도와주세요
Please be healthy everyone
모두 건강하세요
Please give me an idea
아이디어를주세요
Long time no see in Korean
The standard and polite way to express “Long time no see” in Korean is “오랜만이에요” (oraenmanieyo). If you want to use a more informal way to say this phrase, you can use “오랜만이야” (oraenmaniya) instead.
The informal expression can be used with your family, friends, and those who are close to you.
“오랜만이다” (orenmanida) is the formal way to say “Long time no see” in Korean.
Example
Wow, it’s been a really long time.
와 진짜 오랜만이다
It’s been a long time. Have you been good?
오랜만이에요. 잘 지내셨어요?
minho, long time no see.
민호 씨, 오랜만이에요.
It’s been ages since we went camping.
우리가 캠핑 다녀온 뒤로 정말 오랜만이다.
Mirae, it’s been so long.
미래야, 진짜 오랜만이야
“Oh, my god! It’s been ages.” “Wow! You look gorgeous!”
“오, 어머나! 오랜만이다.” “와, 너 멋지다!”
Saying Sorry in Korean
죄송합니다 (jwe-song-ham-ni-da) is the basic and formal way to say sorry in Korean. You can also use 미안해요 (mi-an-hae-yo) or 죄송해요 (jwe-song-he-yo) to apologize in Korean politely. However, while apologizing to friends/ casual situations, just use 미안해 (mi-an-he) or 미안(mi-an).
죄송합니다 (jwe-song-ham-ni-da) and 미안해요 (mi-an-hae-yo) are nearly the same.
but
The only difference between 죄송합니다 (jwe-song-ham-ni-da) and 미안해요 (mi-an-hae-yo) is that “죄송합니다” comes from a sino Korean word “죄송[]” and sounds more respectable to express sorry than the other. 미안해요 is frequently used among casual friends and coworkers.
Here is How to Say ‘I’m Sorry’ in Korean ( informal, formal, and polite ways) and phrases you need to know in order to apologize in Korean like a native Korean speaker.
- Standard ‘Sorry’ in Korean -죄송해요 (jwesonghaeyo) or 미안해요(mianhaeyo)
- Sorry in Korean informal -미안해 (mianhae) or just 미안 (mian)
- Sorry in Korean formal -미안합니다 (mi-an-ham-ni-da) / 죄송합니다 (jwe-song-ham-ni-da)
Yes in Korean|When you are agree with someone
The most common way to say “yes” in Korean is “네(ne)” and the other way is to say ” 예 (Ye)”. But you can say the Korean word for yes 응 [eung] or 엉 [ung], if you want to say “yes” in causal situations.
- 네 [Ne]—Standard Way To Say Yes In Korean
- 예 [Ye] – Politer/More Formal Way To Say Yes In Korean
- 응 [Eung]- Informal and Cute Way Of saying Yes In Korean language(Used By Women)
- 엉 [Ung] – The Korean word for Yes In an informal way (Used By Men)
No in Korean| When you are disagree
Politeness is a must-have in Korean culture.
There are just times when we have to disagree or give them negative answers, but if you don’t want to be rude, then you can just use this phrase.
The most standard way to say no in Korean is 아니요 (a-ni-yo) and it comes from the Korean verb 아니다[ a-ni-da] which literally means “to be not”. To say “no” in a more casual way, you can drop the 요 ending and just say 아니 (a-ni).
Here are the common ways to say no in Korean language with hangul and romanization while conveying what you need to.
- The standard way to say no in korean-아니요 (a-ni-yo)
- Informal way to say no in korean – 아니 (a-ni)
- Formal way to say no in korean – 아닙니다 [ ah-neem-nee-dah]
Congratulations in Korean
‘Congratulations’ in the Standard Polite Informal Form is 축하해요! For the casual/informal form, you will simply say 축하해. With the formal form, you would use 축하합니다! Use this with people older than you. You would also use this to congratulate someone on their wedding or graduation. For the very formal form, you would use 축하드립니다! Use this with bosses, teachers, or in general people with positions of power over you in the workplace.
Congratulations on your promotion. You are on the fast track.
진급을 축하합니다.
Congrats on your new baby!
출산을 축하합니다.; 아기 탄생을 축하해요.
Congratulations! I’m so happy for you.
축하해! 네가 잘 되어서 정말 행복해.
Happy birthday! Hope you’re having a great time in Canada!
생일 축하해! 캐나다에서 좋은 시간 보내고 있길 빌어!
Happy birthday (to you)!
생일 축하합니다!
‘We’re getting married!’ ‘Congratulations!’
“우리 결혼해요!” “축하해요!”
Congratulations on your promotion to assistant manager.
대리로 승진하신 것을 축하드립니다.
Congratulations, I hear you’re going to have a baby!
축하해요. 곧 아이가 태어날 거라면서요.
Congratulations on your new job. When do you start?
새 직장 얻은 거 축하해요. 언제부터 출근해요?
Okay in korean
괜찮아요 (gwaenchanayo) is the most common way of saying ‘OK’ or ‘Are you OK? The closest and informal way to translate “okay” in Korean is 괜찮아 (gwaenchana). You use this with friends, siblings, or people younger than you. But sometimes people say “yes” in Korean 네 (ne) to show their agreement .알았어요 (arasseoyo) also means “ok, I know” in Korean.
Here are the 10 most common ways to say okay in Korean language, depending upon politeness level and situations.
- 괜찮아요 (Gwaenchanayo)
- 알았어요 (Arasseoyo)
- 네 (ne)
- 괜찮아 (Gwaenchana)
- 알았어 (arasseo)
- 응 (eung)
- 오게이 (o-ke-i)
- 괜찮습니다 (gwaenchanseumnida)
- 알겠습니다 (Algetseumnida)
- ㅇㅋ
Let’s go- kaja가자
Isn’t it exciting when you finally grasp a new phrase in a foreign language? Take “Let’s go” in Korean, for instance. The phrase is “가자”, pronounced “kaja”.
It’s quite simple and can be used in so many contexts.
Let’s take a look at five example sentences:
음식이 왔어요. 가자!
The food is here. Let’s eat!
이번 주말에 여행 가자!
Let’s go on a trip this weekend!
영화 시작됐어요. 가자!
The movie has started. Let’s watch!
쇼핑하러 가자!
Let’s go shopping!
집에 돌아가자!
Let’s go home!
I don’t understand
To say “I don’t understand” in Korean, you would say “이해가 안 돼요”, which is pronounced, “ihaega an dwaeyo”.The Korean phrase “모르겠습니다” (mo-reu-get-seup-ni-da) is a polite way to express “I don’t know” or “I’m not sure”.
Here are a few instances of how you could use it in a conversation:
“이 문제에 대해 모르겠습니다.” – “I don’t know about this problem.”
“그 사람을 모르겠습니다.” – “I don’t know that person.”
“다음 단계를 모르겠습니다.” – “I’m not sure about the next step.”
“어떤 책을 선택해야 할지 모르겠습니다.” – “I’m not sure which book to choose.”
“어떤 길로 가야 할지 모르겠습니다.” – “I’m not sure which way to go.”
“이해가 안 돼요.” – “I don’t understand.”
“한국어가 잘 이해가 안 돼요.” – “I don’t understand Korean well.”
“그 말은 이해가 안 돼요.” – “I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
“그 지시를 이해가 안 돼요.” – “I don’t understand the instructions.”
“그 문제를 이해가 안 돼요.” – “I don’t understand that problem.”
So, next time you’re uncertain about something in a Korean conversation, “모르겠습니다” is your go-to phrase!
How much is this?
When you want to ask “How much is this?” in Korean, you would say “이것은 얼마입니까?(igeoseun eolmaimnikka?)” or “이거 얼마예요?
This phrase is pretty helpful, especially when you’re shopping and need to inquire about the price of something!
Here’s how to say “How much is this” In formal, polite and casual situations.
- Formal: “이것은 얼마입니까?” – “How much is this?”
- Polite: “이거 얼마예요?” – “How much is this?”
- Informal: “이거 얼마야?” – “How much is this?
Here are awesome example sentences
이 책은 얼마입니까?
How much is this book?
이 신발 얼마예요?
How much are these shoes?
그 옷 얼마야?
How much is that clothes?
이 커피 얼마입니까?
How much is this coffee?
그 가방 얼마예요?
How much is that bag?
What is your name
In Korean, if you want to ask someone “What is your name?”, there are different ways to express it depending on the level of formality.
Let’s break it down.
The informal way to ask “What is your name?” in Korean is “이름이 뭐야?” [i-reum-i mwo-ya]. This expression is used when talking to someone much younger than you, like children. It’s a casual and relaxed way to ask for their name.
For most situations, the polite way to ask “What is your name?” is “이름이 뭐예요?” [i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo]. This is the expression you can safely use in the vast majority of situations. Ending with “예요” makes it a polite form. It conveys respect and politeness, making it suitable for most interactions.
However, in formal situations or when addressing someone much older than you, such as in business meetings, it’s best to use the formal expression. The formal way to ask “What is your name?” is “성함이 어떻게 되세요?” [seong-ham-i eo-tteo-ke doe-se-yo]. This expression is considered more respectful and appropriate in formal contexts.
When asked for your name in Korean, you can respond using these common ways. Just replace the highlighted part with your name to say “My name is…” in Korean.
Example
I’m Mi Rae.
[저는 미래에요.]
I’m Mi Rae.
[저는 미래입니다.]
My name is Mi Rae.
[제 이름은 미래에요.]
My name is Mi Rae.
[제 이름은 미래입니다.]
“Please Look After Me” in Korean
The phrase “Please Look After Me” can be translated to “잘 부탁드립니다” in Korean.
You can use this while speaking to someone higher than you.
South Korean Greetings for the holidays
South Korea has a rich cultural heritage and celebrates various traditional holidays throughout the year, each with its unique customs and traditions.
During these holidays, exchanging greetings is an essential part of the celebrations. South Korean greetings often convey warm wishes for good health, prosperity, and happiness.
In this article, we will introduce some of the most common South Korean greetings for holidays, including New Year’s Day, Lunar New Year, Harvest Festival, Christmas, and more.
Whether you’re visiting or living in South Korea, knowing these holiday greetings will help you connect with the local people and immerse yourself in their rich cultural traditions.
Happy New Year in Korean
Koreans celebrate the solar new year (1st January) and lunar new year (selloal) every year. Korean happy new year date varies depending on solar or lunar calender.
If you have friends and family whom you want to wish for? Or simply want to learn how to say happy new year in Korean like a native.
It’s time to brush up on your Korean New Year greetings!
The simplest way to say happy new year in Korean language is 새해 복 많이 받으세요 (saehae bok mani badeuseyo) means “I wish you good luck in the New Year.” 새해 (saehae) translates to ‘new year,’ 복(bok) to ‘luck,’ and 많이 (mani) to a lot of.’ 새해 복 많이 받아(Saehae Bok Mani Bada) is an informal way of wishing someone a happy new year in Korea. Simply say the words 새해 복 많이 받으십시오 (saehae bok mani badeusipsio) to make it more formal.
Here’s how to say a happy new year in Korean (informal, polite, formal way) correctly including their hangul and romanization.
- The standard polite way- 새해 복 많이 받으세요 (saehae bok mani badeuseyo)
- The causal way -새해 복 많이 받아 (Saehae Bok Mani Bada)
- The formal way – 새해 복 많이 받으십시오 (saehae bok mani badeusipsio)
Korean Lunar New Year greetings
just saying “Happy New Year in Korean language” on its own might sound a bit dull.
In fact, Korean used a number of different expressions.
So if you want to impress your friends with your language skill, mix and match all the Korean greetings you’ll learn now and add them after Korean New Year greetings to make them a little fancier.
So, here are other Korean New Year greetings that you can consider.
- I wish you all the best in the new year
- 새해에는 좋은 일만 가득하길 바래.- saehaeeneun joeun ilman gadeukagil barae
- Everyone, be rich.
- 모두 부자가 되세요- modu bujaga dweseyo
- I hope everything you do will go well
- 당신이 하는 모든 일이 잘 되길 바랍니다.
- Have a great winter vacation!
- 겨울 방학 잘 보내세요! – gyoul banghak jal bonaeseyo
- Happy new year and always be happy.
- 새해 복 많이 받으시고 항상 행복하세요
- How old are you this year?
- 올해 몇 살이에요?olhae myot sarieyo
- What’s your plan this year?
- 올해 계획이 뭐예요?olhae gyehwegi mwoeyo
- Please stay healthy in coming year too
- 내년에도 건강하세요- naenyonedo gonganghaseyo
- Happy holidays!
- 행복한 휴일 보내세요!haengbokan hyuil bonaeseyo
Chuseok (Korean thanksgiving) greetings
Chuseok, also known as Korean Thanksgiving Day, is one of the biggest and most important holidays in Korea.
It is a time when families and friends gather together to give thanks, pay respect to their ancestors, and share traditional Korean food and drinks.
One of the ways to express your good wishes during this special occasion is by saying “Happy Chuseok!” in Korean.
However, there are many different ways to convey this message, each with its unique nuances and expressions of warmth and sincerity.
In this article, we will explore 10 ways to say Happy Chuseok in Korean, along with their meanings and contexts, so that you can greet your Korean friends and loved ones in a way that is both authentic and heartwarming.
1.즐거운 추석 되세요. (Have a Happy Chuseok).
2. 추석 연휴 잘 보내세요. (Have a great Chuseok holiday.)
3. 해피 추석 되세요. (Happy Chuseok!)
4. 즐거운 한가위 되세요. (Have a Happy Hangawi.)
5. 즐겁고 풍성한 한가위 되세요. (Have a Happy and Prosperous Hangawi.)
6. 가족과 함께 풍성하고 즐거운 추석 보내시길 바랍니다. (Have a Happy and prosperous Chuseok with your faimly.)
7. 마음이 풍요로운 행복한 한가위 보내세요. (Wish you have a happy Chuseok that enriches your heart and mind.)
8. 밝은 보름달처럼 넉넉한 한가위 명절 보내세요h. (Have a prosperous Chuseok like the bright full moon.)
9. 명절인데도 찾아뵙지 못하여 죄송하오며 내내 행복하고 건강하시기를 기원합니다. (It’s unfortunate that I am not able to wish you in person on Chuseok but I wish you eternal good health and happiness.)
10. 가정에 언제나 늘 한가위 같이 풍성하고 평화롭기를 바랍니다. (I wish that this Chuseok brings eternal prosperity, happiness, and bliss to your family.
Korean Christmas greetings
Christmas in Korean language is translated as 성탄절 (seongtanjeol).성(Seong), is the Chinese character meaning “holy”,탄(Tan) means “birth.” and 절 means holiday. So together 성탄절(seongtanjeol) means “the festive day the holy person was born.”
You can also say the loan word 크리스마스 (keuriseumaseu) to say merry christmas in south Korean
The common way to say Merry Christmas in Korean is 크리스마스 잘 보내세요 (keu-ri-seu-ma-seu jal bo-ne-say-yo).it is made up of the words 크리스마스 (Christmas), which means ‘well,’ and 보내세요 means ‘please spend time.’ it literally means ‘Please spend Christmas well’. you can use the casual form 메리 크리스마스 (meri keuriseumaseu)/크리스마스 잘 보내 (keuriseumaseu jal bonae) with friends. 행복한 크리스마스 되십시오 (haengbokan keuriseumaseu doesipsio)is the most formal way to wish someone a Merry Christmas.
Here’s how to say Merry Christmas in Korean language as well as its pronunciation and hangul.
- The standard way- 크리스마스 잘 보내세요 (keu-ri-seu-ma-seu jal bo-ne-say-yo)./즐거운 성탄절 보내세요 (jeulgeoun seongtanjeol bonaeseyo)
- The informal way-메리 크리스마스 (meri keuriseumaseu)/크리스마스 잘 보내 (keuriseumaseu jal bonae)
- The formal way- 행복한 크리스마스 되십시오 (haengbokan keuriseumaseu doesipsio)/
Korean greeting gestures
5.1 Korean bow:
The Korean bow is a traditional gesture of respect and gratitude. It involves bowing the head while keeping the back straight and the eyes focused on the ground. There are two main types of bows in South Korea: the casual bow and the respectful bow.
5.1.1 Casual bow:
The casual bow, known as ‘jejere’ in Korean, is a quick nod of the head and shoulders. It is typically used to greet friends, family, and colleagues in informal settings. The depth of the bow varies based on the relationship between the two individuals.
5.1.2 Respectful bow:
The respectful bow, known as ‘jeol’ in Korean, is a deeper and more formal bow. It is typically used to show respect to elders, and superiors, or in solemn situations, such as funerals or weddings. The depth of the bow is determined by the social status of the person being bowed to, with deeper bows being reserved for those with higher status.
5.2 Korean handshake:
While not as traditional as the bow, the handshake has become a more common greeting in South Korea, especially in business settings. The Korean handshake is typically lighter and less firm than the Western handshake, and it may be accompanied by a slight bow of the head. It is important to remember that physical touch is less common in South Korea than in many Western countries, and some people may be uncomfortable with a handshake.
How to remember korean greetings easily?
I know saying “greetings in Korean language” is a bit confusing and so many ways make it even harder to remember.
but with practice and time, you can be as good as native Korean speakers.
After all, when it comes to fluency, practice is the key.
Here’s how I did it.
I hope these resources will help you master greetings in Korean in no time.
Anki Isn’t The Only Game In Town.
Did you know you can sing a song and master Korean greetings without lifting a finger?
Well, what could be better than that?
Here is how Koreans do it all the time (now you can do it too!!!)
Use Flashcard And Test
Maybe drama is not your thing. What about flashcards?
I know it’s an old thing(you might be using Anki too)
But When it comes to mastering Korean vocabulary, you will never regret using these fellas.
Here is the list
https://flashcardo.com/korean-flashcards/
https://www.flashcardmachine.com/korean-greetings.html
https://quizlet.com/103431022/korean-greetings-flash-cards/
https://quizlet.com/search?query=korean-greetings&type=sets
Conclusion
There you have it- A list of common greetings in Korean
By now, you should be a pro at impressing your Korean friends and colleagues with your impressive collection of Korean greeting phrases.
Whether it’s a simple “Annyeong-haseyo” or a more adventurous “Katchi Kapshida!”, you’ll be sure to make a lasting impression.
Remember, practice makes perfect, so go out there and greet everyone in your path with your newfound skills.
But, be careful not to overdo it, you don’t want to be known as the person who greets everyone with “Sarang-hae” (I love you) in the office, unless of course you really do love them all.
Thanks for joining us on this journey of mastering the art of Korean greetings and don’t forget to come back for more tips and tricks to improve your language skills.
Happy reading.
