覚えておきたいKoreanのあいさつ

Saying hello

One greeting covers Korea from dawn to midnight: 안녕하세요. Add your name after it and you've already made a first impression.

1. 1 안녕하세요 annyeonghaseyo — Hello

   Works at any time of day — Korean gets by fine without a real 'good afternoon.'

2. 2 좋은 아침 joeun achim — Good morning
3. 3 만나서 반가워요 mannaseo bangawoyo — Nice to meet you
4. 4 안녕하세요, 저는 민수입니다. annyeonghaseyo, jeoneun minsuimnida — Hello, I'm Minsu — swap in your own name

How are you?

Koreans ask 잘 지내세요? — literally 'are you getting along well?' The reply reuses the same verb, so one pattern buys you both sides of the exchange.

1. 5 잘 지내세요? jal jinaeseyo? — How are you?
2. 6 잘 지내요 jal jinaeyo — I'm doing well
3. 7 안녕하세요, 오랜만이에요! annyeonghaseyo, oraenmanieyo — Hello, long time no see!

Thanks, sorry, excuse me

Gratitude and apology both come in two strengths in Korean. The formal versions are never wrong, so learn those first and relax.

1. 8 감사합니다 gamsahamnida — Thank you
2. 9 천만에요 cheonmaneyo — You're welcome

   In real life Koreans more often wave thanks off with 아니에요 — 'it's nothing.'

3. 10 미안해요 mianhaeyo — Sorry
4. 11 죄송합니다 joesonghamnida — I'm sorry (formal)
5. 12 실례해요 sillyehaeyo — Excuse me

Two goodbyes

Korean splits 'goodbye' by who walks away: 안녕히 가세요 ('go in peace') to the person leaving, 안녕히 계세요 ('stay in peace') when you're the one heading out.

1. 13 안녕히 가세요 annyeonghi gaseyo — Goodbye (to someone leaving)
2. 14 안녕히 계세요 annyeonghi gyeseyo — Goodbye (to someone staying)
3. 15 잘 자요 jal jayo — Good night

In real life: first day, first meeting