Korean greetings: hello, goodbye and meeting someone new
One word covers most greetings in Korean. The harder part is the ending you put on it — and the three questions you will be asked the first time you meet someone.
Korean has one greeting that does nearly all the work: 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo). It is fine in the morning, in the afternoon and at night, with a shop assistant, a stranger or your friend’s parents. Korean does not really split greetings by the time of day the way English does. 좋은 아침 (joeun achim) exists, but it is newer and more casual than “good morning” sounds in English — it is what a colleague might type in the team chat, not what you say to your landlord.
The bigger decision is not which word to use but which ending. Almost every greeting on this page comes in a casual form for friends and people younger than you, and a polite form ending in -요 or -니다. If you are not sure, use the polite one. Nobody minds a foreigner being too polite; plenty of people notice when you are not polite enough. The speech levels guide explains how the endings work.
First meetings follow a script: your name, where you are from, and very often your age. Being asked 몇 살이야? (myeot sariya?) is not nosy. Age decides who speaks politely to whom and what you call each other — the reason the Korean age calculator exists. If someone asks, they are working out how to talk to you, which is a good sign.
Goodbyes depend on who is leaving. 안녕히 가세요 (“go in peace”) is said to the person who is leaving. 안녕히 계세요 (“stay in peace”) is said by the person leaving to the people who stay. Walking out of a shop, you say 계세요 and the staff say 가세요. For friends, 나중에 봐 (najunge bwa) or a plain 안녕 is enough.
The 13 phrases on this page
Hear it in a real conversation
Meeting someone at a language exchange. Press play on any line to hear it.
- A 안녕하세요! 처음 뵙겠습니다.annyeonghaseyo! cheoeum boepgetseumnida.Hello! It's nice to meet you. (literally: I'm seeing you for the first time)
- B 안녕하세요. 저는 민지예요. 이름이 뭐예요?annyeonghaseyo. jeoneun minjiyeyo. ireumi mwoyeyo?Hi. I'm Minji. What's your name?
- A 저는 앨리스예요. 반갑습니다.jeoneun aelliseuyeyo. bangapseumnida.I'm Alice. Nice to meet you.
- B 어디서 오셨어요?eodiseo osyeosseoyo?Where are you from?
- A 캐나다에서 왔어요.kaenadaeseo wasseoyo.I'm from Canada.
- B 아, 그렇구나. 다음에 또 봬요!a, geureokuna. daeume tto bwaeyo!Oh, I see. See you next time!
- A 네, 안녕히 가세요!ne, annyeonghi gaseyo!Yes, bye! (said to Minji, who is the one leaving)
How to say “Hello” in Korean
안녕하세요
annyeonghaseyo
Literally: Are you at peace?
The default greeting for everyone, any time of day. There is no separate good morning or good evening you need to learn first.
Polite form
- 안녕하십니까annyeonghasimnikkaUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 안녕annyeong= Hi (casual)Friends and children only. It also means bye.
- 안녕하십니까annyeonghasimnikka= Hello (formal)News anchors, the military, formal speeches.
In a sentence
- 안녕하세요, 처음 뵙겠습니다.annyeonghaseyo, cheoeum boepgesseumnida.Hello, nice to meet you.
- 안녕! 오랜만이야.annyeong! oraenmaniya.Hi! Long time no see.
How people answer
- 네, 안녕하세요.ne, annyeonghaseyo.= Hi.Koreans usually just say it back, often with 네 in front.
How to say “Good morning” in Korean
좋은 아침
joeun achim
Literally: Good morning.
Careful - this is a translation that caught on rather than a native greeting. Koreans mostly just say 안녕하세요 in the morning, or ask whether you slept well.
Polite form
- 좋은 아침입니다joeun achimimnidaUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 잘 잤어?jal jasseo?= Did you sleep well?What people actually say to someone they live with.
- 안녕히 주무셨어요?annyeonghi jumusyeosseoyo?= Did you sleep well? (respectful)To parents or grandparents. The honorific verb for sleep.
In a sentence
- 좋은 아침입니다!joeun achimimnida!Good morning!
- 잘 잤어? 밥 먹자.jal jasseo? bap meokja.Morning. Let's eat.
How to say “How are you?” in Korean
잘 지냈어?
jal jinaesseo?
Literally: Have you been doing well?
Careful - this is NOT a daily greeting in Korean. You ask it when you have not seen someone for a while. Asking it every morning sounds odd.
Polite form
- 잘 지내셨어요?jal jinaesyeosseoyo?Use this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 밥 먹었어?bap meogeosseo?= Have you eaten?THIS is the everyday Korean greeting. It means how are you, not a real question about food.
- 어떻게 지내?eotteoke jinae?= How have you been?Also for someone you have not seen in a while.
In a sentence
- 오랜만이야! 잘 지냈어?oraenmaniya! jal jinaesseo?Long time no see! How have you been?
- 밥 먹었어? 응, 먹었어.bap meogeosseo? eung, meogeosseo.How is it going? Yeah, I am good.
How people answer
- 응, 잘 지냈어. 너는?eung, jal jinaesseo. neoneun?= Yeah, I've been good. You?Answer and throw the question back, as in English.
How to say “I'm good” in Korean
난 괜찮아
nan gwaenchana
Literally: I'm fine.
Turning something down without making it a big deal — more food, a ride, help.
Polite form
- 저는 괜찮아요jeoneun gwaenchanayoUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 이제 충분해요ije chungbunhaeyo= That's enough for meUse this one when refusing more food. Polite and safe.
- 배불러요baebulleoyo= I'm fullThe most natural way to stop someone from serving you more.
In a sentence
- 난 괜찮아. 너 먹어.nan gwaenchana. neo meogeo.I'm good. You eat it.
- 도와줄까? — 아니, 괜찮아.dowajulkka? — ani, gwaenchana.Want help? — No, I'm good.
How to say “Long time no see” in Korean
오랜만이야
oraenmaniya
Literally: It has been a long while.
The first thing out of a Korean's mouth when they run into someone after months. Usually followed straight away by asking how you have been.
Polite form
- 오랜만이에요oraenmanieyoUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 오랜만입니다oraenmanimnida= It has been a while (formal)Work, or someone much older.
- 얼굴 보기 힘드네eolgul bogi himdene= You are hard to catchLiterally your face is hard to see. Friendly teasing when someone has been out of touch.
In a sentence
- 오랜만이야! 잘 지냈어?oraenmaniya! jal jinaesseo?Long time no see! How have you been?
- 진짜 오랜만이에요.jinjja oraenmanieyo.It really has been a while.
How people answer
- 진짜 오랜만이다!jinjja oraenmanida!= It really has been ages!
How to say “Nice to meet you” in Korean
반가워
bangawo
Literally: I am glad.
Said on meeting someone for the first time, and again when you run into a friend. Korean has no separate word for pleased-to-meet-you.
Polite form
- 반갑습니다bangapseumnidaUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 만나서 반가워요mannaseo bangawoyo= Glad to meet youThe fuller version. 만나서 means having met.
- 처음 뵙겠습니다cheoeum boepgesseumnida= How do you do (formal)Literally I am seeing you for the first time. Formal introductions, business cards, meeting a partner's parents.
In a sentence
- 안녕하세요, 만나서 반가워요.annyeonghaseyo, mannaseo bangawoyo.Hello, nice to meet you.
- 와, 진짜 반가워!wa, jinjja bangawo!Wow, so good to see you!
How people answer
- 나도 반가워.nado bangawo.= Nice to meet you too.Casual. Between adults meeting for the first time, use the polite 저도 반가워요.
How to say “What is your name?” in Korean
이름이 뭐야?
ireumi mwoya?
Literally: What is the name?
Careful with this one. The casual version is only for someone clearly younger than you - asking an adult stranger this way lands badly. Use the polite form below.
Polite form
- 이름이 뭐예요?ireumi mwoyeyo?Use this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 성함이 어떻게 되세요?seonghami eotteoke doeseyo?= May I ask your name? (respectful)성함 is the honorific word for name. This is what you use with an older person or at a counter. It is worth memorising whole.
- 저는 민수예요jeoneun minsuyeyo= I am MinsuHow you answer - put your own name in. Use 예요 after a vowel and 이에요 after a consonant.
In a sentence
- 이름이 뭐예요?ireumi mwoyeyo?What is your name?
- 성함이 어떻게 되세요?seonghami eotteoke doeseyo?Might I have your name?
How people answer
- 저는 민지예요.jeoneun minjiyeyo.= I'm Minji.Swap in your own name. After a name ending in a consonant, use 이에요 instead of 예요.
How to say “Where are you from?” in Korean
어디서 왔어?
eodiseo wasseo?
Literally: Where did you come from?
Asked of you constantly in Korea, and phrased as where did you come from rather than where are you from.
Polite form
- 어디서 오셨어요?eodiseo osyeosseoyo?Use this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 저는 미국에서 왔어요jeoneun migugeseo wasseoyo= I am from AmericaThe answer. Swap in your country and keep 에서 왔어요.
- 어느 나라 사람이에요?eoneu nara saramieyo?= Which country are you from?Literally which country person are you. Also very common.
In a sentence
- 어디서 오셨어요?eodiseo osyeosseoyo?Where are you from?
- 저는 캐나다에서 왔어요.jeoneun kaenadaeseo wasseoyo.I am from Canada.
How people answer
- 미국에서 왔어요.migugeseo wasseoyo.= I'm from the US.Put your own country before 에서.
How to say “How old are you?” in Korean
몇 살이야?
myeot sariya?
Literally: How many years?
Not rude in Korea - it is a practical question, because age decides which speech level and which word for brother or sister you use for the rest of the conversation.
Polite form
- 몇 살이에요?myeot sarieyo?Use this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 연세가 어떻게 되세요?yeonsega eotteoke doeseyo?= May I ask your age? (respectful)연세 is the honorific word for age. For anyone clearly older than you.
- 몇 년생이세요?myeot nyeonsaeng-iseyo?= What year were you born?Often asked instead, because it settles the answer without arithmetic.
In a sentence
- 실례지만 몇 살이에요?sillyejiman myeot sarieyo?Excuse me, how old are you?
- 저는 스물다섯 살이에요.jeoneun seumuldaseot sarieyo.I'm twenty-five.
How people answer
- 스무 살이에요.seumu sarieyo.= I'm twenty.Ages use the native Korean numbers, not the ones for money and dates.
How to say “Welcome” in Korean
어서 오세요
eoseo oseyo
Literally: Come quickly.
You will hear this shouted every time you walk into a shop or restaurant. You are not expected to answer - a nod is enough.
Polite form
- 어서 오십시오eoseo osipsioUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 환영합니다hwanyeonghamnida= We welcome youFormal and written - signs, ceremonies, airports. Not what a shop says.
- 들어오세요deureooseyo= Come inAt someone's front door rather than a shop.
In a sentence
- 어서 오세요! 몇 분이세요?eoseo oseyo! myeot bunieseyo?Welcome! How many people?
- 어서 와, 들어와.eoseo wa, deureowa.Hey, come on in.
How to say “See you later” in Korean
나중에 봐
najunge bwa
Literally: See you later.
Korean has two goodbyes that depend on who is leaving - and this trips up nearly every learner. See the variants.
Polite form
- 나중에 봬요najunge bwaeyoUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 안녕히 가세요annyeonghi gaseyo= Goodbye (to the one leaving)Literally go in peace. You say this when THEY are the one walking away.
- 안녕히 계세요annyeonghi gyeseyo= Goodbye (to the one staying)Literally stay in peace. You say this when YOU are the one leaving.
- 또 봐tto bwa= See you againCasual and friendly.
In a sentence
- 그럼 나중에 봐.geureom najunge bwa.Alright, see you later.
- 내일 봐!naeil bwa!See you tomorrow!
How people answer
- 응, 나중에 봐.eung, najunge bwa.= Yeah, see you.Say it back with 응 (yeah) in front.
How to say “Take care” in Korean
몸조심해
momjosimhae
Literally: Be careful with your body.
A parting line with real warmth in it, and the one Koreans reach for when someone is unwell, travelling, or heading into cold weather.
Polite form
- 몸조심하세요momjosimhaseyoUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 건강하세요geonganghaseyo= Stay healthyTo someone older. Common at New Year and at goodbyes.
- 푹 쉬어puk swieo= Get plenty of restTo someone who is ill or exhausted. 푹 means deeply.
In a sentence
- 감기 조심하고, 몸조심해.gamgi josimhago, momjosimhae.Watch out for colds, take care of yourself.
- 할머니, 건강하세요.halmeoni, geonganghaseyo.Grandma, stay healthy.
How people answer
- 고마워, 너도.gomawo, neodo.= Thanks, you too.
How to say “Good night” in Korean
잘 자
jal ja
Literally: Sleep well.
Said to someone going to bed. Korean says sleep well rather than good night.
Polite form
- 안녕히 주무세요annyeonghi jumuseyoUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 잘 자요jal jayo= Good night (polite-casual)Partners and friends you speak politely to.
- 안녕히 주무세요annyeonghi jumuseyo= Good night (respectful)To parents, grandparents and elders. Uses the honorific verb for sleep.
- 좋은 꿈 꿔joeun kkum kkwo= Sweet dreamsLiterally dream a good dream.
In a sentence
- 늦었다, 잘 자.neujeotda, jal ja.It is late, good night.
- 할머니, 안녕히 주무세요.halmeoni, annyeonghi jumuseyo.Grandma, good night.
How people answer
- 너도 잘 자.neodo jal ja.= You too, sleep well.너도 = you too.
Mistakes learners make
- Saying 안녕 to everyone안녕 is the casual hello. It is right for friends and children and wrong for a shopkeeper, a taxi driver or anyone older than you. Add the ending: 안녕하세요.
- Mixing up 가세요 and 계세요Both are “goodbye”, but 가세요 goes to the person leaving and 계세요 to the person staying. Saying 가세요 to a shopkeeper as you walk out tells them to go somewhere.
- Using 잘 지냈어요? every dayIt means “have you been well?” and suits someone you have not seen for a while. For people you see daily, 안녕하세요 is enough — close friends and family often just ask 밥 먹었어?, “have you eaten?”, as a hello.
- Skipping the small bowA slight nod or bow goes with 안녕하세요 when you greet someone older or someone you have just met. Words with no bow can feel stiff, even if the grammar is perfect.
Practise these. Every phrase here is in the phrase quiz — five rounds, no sign-up. Not reading Hangul yet? Start with the alphabet in 20 minutes, and see the speech levels guide for when to use the polite forms.