If you’re learning Korean, one of the first questions you’ll probably ask is how to say hello in Korean. The most common answer is 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo), but Korean greetings are more interesting than just one word.
The way you greet someone in Korean can change depending on their age, your relationship, and whether you’re meeting a friend, teacher, coworker, or stranger.
For example, the casual greeting 안녕 is perfect for close friends, but it may sound too informal when speaking to your teacher for the first time.
In this beginner-friendly lesson, you’ll discover 15 useful Korean greetings, learn when to use each expression, and practice real-life conversations with pronunciation examples.
By the end of this lesson, you’ll know how to greet people and say goodbye naturally in Korean without mixing up polite and casual expressions.
Level: Beginner (A1–A2)
Study time: Approximately 15–20 minutes
In this lesson: 15 greetings, Korean politeness levels, goodbye expressions, cultural tips, dialogues, and practice exercises.
Table of Contents
- 1. How to Say Hello in Korean
- 2. 15 Essential Korean Greetings for Beginners
- 3. Formal vs. Informal Korean Greetings
- 4. How to Say Goodbye in Korean
- 5. Korean Greetings for Different Situations
- 6. Common Korean Greeting Mistakes to Avoid
- 7. Real-Life Korean Greeting Conversations
- 8. Practice Quiz: Choose the Correct Korean Greeting
- 9. Frequently Asked Questions About Korean Greetings
- 10. Final Review: How to Say Hello in Korean Naturally
1. How to Say Hello in Korean
The easiest and safest way to say hello in Korean is 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo).
It works in many everyday situations, including meeting someone for the first time, greeting a shop employee, or speaking to a teacher.
안녕하세요 — The Standard Polite Greeting
Korean: 안녕하세요
Romanization: annyeonghaseyo
Meaning: Hello
🔊 Listen: 안녕하세요
This greeting is polite but not overly formal, making it an excellent choice for Korean beginners.
You can use 안녕하세요 when:
- Meeting someone for the first time
- Greeting your teacher
- Entering a small shop or café
- Saying hello to a coworker
- Greeting someone older than you
Real-life example
A: 안녕하세요! — Hello!
B: 안녕하세요! — Hello!
🔊 Listen: 안녕하세요!
Cultural note: Korean greetings are influenced by social relationships. You may notice people making a small bow while saying 안녕하세요. A slight nod is also common in everyday interactions.
안녕 — The Casual Way to Say Hello
Korean: 안녕
Romanization: annyeong
Meaning: Hi / Bye (informal)
🔊 Listen: 안녕
Use 안녕 with close friends, children, or people with whom you’ve established a casual speaking relationship.
Example
A: 안녕, 지민아! — Hi, Jimin!
🔊 Listen: 안녕, 지민아!
B: 안녕! — Hi!
🔊 Listen: 안녕!
Notice the difference:
| Expression | Politeness | Typical situation |
|---|---|---|
| 안녕하세요 | Polite | Teachers, strangers, coworkers |
| 안녕 | Casual | Close friends, familiar peers |
| 안녕하십니까 | Formal | Formal presentations, ceremonies |
Beginner tip: If you are unsure which greeting to use, choose 안녕하세요.
2. 15 Essential Korean Greetings for Beginners
Here are 15 expressions you can use to greet someone, welcome a visitor, ask about their well-being, or say goodbye.
These expressions are not all direct translations of “hello.” They are greetings and social expressions used at different moments in a conversation.
| # | Korean | Romanization | English meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 안녕하세요 | annyeonghaseyo | Hello (polite) |
| 2 | 안녕 | annyeong | Hi / Bye (casual) |
| 3 | 안녕하십니까 | annyeonghasimnikka | Hello (formal) |
| 4 | 처음 뵙겠습니다 | cheoeum boepgetseumnida | Pleased to meet you (formal) |
| 5 | 만나서 반가워요 | mannaseo bangawoyo | Nice to meet you |
| 6 | 오랜만이에요 | oraenmanieyo | Long time no see |
| 7 | 잘 지냈어요? | jal jinaesseoyo? | Have you been well? |
| 8 | 어떻게 지내세요? | eotteoke jinaeseyo? | How have you been? |
| 9 | 좋은 아침이에요 | joeun achimieyo | Good morning |
| 10 | 여보세요 | yeoboseyo | Hello? (on the phone) |
| 11 | 어서 오세요 | eoseo oseyo | Welcome |
| 12 | 안녕히 가세요 | annyeonghi gaseyo | Goodbye (to someone leaving) |
| 13 | 안녕히 계세요 | annyeonghi gyeseyo | Goodbye (when you leave) |
| 14 | 잘 가요 | jal gayo | Goodbye / Go safely |
| 15 | 잘 자요 | jal jayo | Good night / Sleep well |
Listen to All 15 Korean Greetings
Practice each greeting aloud after listening. Don’t worry about speaking quickly. Focus on making the sounds clear and natural.
1. 안녕하세요 — Hello (polite)
🔊 Listen: 안녕하세요
2. 안녕 — Hi / Bye (casual)
🔊 Listen: 안녕
3. 안녕하십니까 — Hello (formal)
🔊 Listen: 안녕하십니까
4. 처음 뵙겠습니다 — Pleased to meet you
🔊 Listen: 처음 뵙겠습니다
5. 만나서 반가워요 — Nice to meet you
🔊 Listen: 만나서 반가워요
6. 오랜만이에요 — Long time no see
🔊 Listen: 오랜만이에요
7. 잘 지냈어요? — Have you been well?
🔊 Listen: 잘 지냈어요?
8. 어떻게 지내세요? — How have you been?
🔊 Listen: 어떻게 지내세요?
9. 좋은 아침이에요 — Good morning
🔊 Listen: 좋은 아침이에요
10. 여보세요 — Hello? (on the phone)
🔊 Listen: 여보세요
11. 어서 오세요 — Welcome
🔊 Listen: 어서 오세요
12. 안녕히 가세요 — Goodbye (to someone leaving)
🔊 Listen: 안녕히 가세요
13. 안녕히 계세요 — Goodbye (when you leave)
🔊 Listen: 안녕히 계세요
14. 잘 가요 — Goodbye / Go safely
🔊 Listen: 잘 가요
15. 잘 자요 — Good night / Sleep well
🔊 Listen: 잘 자요
Important: Some expressions, such as 좋은 아침이에요, are understandable but less common as everyday greetings than their English equivalents. We’ll look at these differences below.
3. Formal vs. Informal Korean Greetings
One of the most important things to understand when learning how to say hello in Korean is the difference between polite and casual language.
English speakers can often say “Hi” to almost anyone. Korean speakers pay more attention to the relationship between people.
Three Useful Levels of Korean Greetings
For beginners, think about these three common forms:
1. Formal: 안녕하십니까
🔊 Listen: 안녕하십니까
Used in formal situations such as public speeches, official meetings, or ceremonial introductions.
2. Everyday polite: 안녕하세요
🔊 Listen: 안녕하세요
Appropriate in most everyday interactions with adults, strangers, teachers, and coworkers.
3. Casual: 안녕
🔊 Listen: 안녕
Used among close friends or people who have agreed to speak casually.
These are examples of different speech styles, not a complete guide to every Korean politeness level.
When Should You Use Polite Korean?
Start with polite Korean when:
- You are meeting a new adult
- You are talking to someone older
- You are speaking to a customer or teacher
- You don’t yet know what speaking style the other person prefers
Korean age and social relationships can affect how people speak, but age alone doesn’t determine every conversation. Workplace culture, familiarity, and the setting also matter.
Can You Call an Older Friend 안녕?
Sometimes, yes. Friends who have agreed to use informal language may say 안녕 to each other, even if one is older.
However, if you are a beginner, avoid assuming casual language is appropriate based only on someone looking young.
4. How to Say Goodbye in Korean
In Korean, goodbye expressions depend partly on who is leaving and who is staying.
This is one of the most common areas of confusion for beginners.
안녕히 가세요 — When the Other Person Leaves
Korean: 안녕히 가세요
Romanization: annyeonghi gaseyo
Meaning: Goodbye / Go safely
🔊 Listen: 안녕히 가세요
Use 안녕히 가세요 when the other person is leaving and you are remaining behind.
Example
You are working at a café, and a customer is leaving.
You: 안녕히 가세요! — Goodbye!
🔊 Listen: 안녕히 가세요!
안녕히 계세요 — When You Leave
Korean: 안녕히 계세요
Romanization: annyeonghi gyeseyo
Meaning: Goodbye / Please stay well
🔊 Listen: 안녕히 계세요
Use 안녕히 계세요 when you leave a place while the person you are speaking to stays.
Example
You visit a friend’s home and are about to go home.
You: 안녕히 계세요! — Goodbye!
🔊 Listen: 안녕히 계세요!
The Difference at a Glance
| Situation | What you say |
|---|---|
| Your friend leaves your home | 안녕히 가세요 |
| You leave your teacher’s office | 안녕히 계세요 |
| A customer leaves your shop | 안녕히 가세요 |
| You leave a restaurant and the staff stay | 안녕히 계세요 |
Remember: These guidelines apply to common situations where one person is clearly staying and the other is leaving. If both people are leaving together, Koreans may use other natural expressions such as 다음에 봐요 (See you next time).
🔊 Listen: 다음에 봐요
Casual Goodbye Expressions
You can also use:
잘 가! — Bye! / Go safely! (casual)
🔊 Listen: 잘 가!
잘 가요. — Goodbye. (polite)
🔊 Listen: 잘 가요
다음에 봐요. — See you next time. (polite)
🔊 Listen: 다음에 봐요
또 봐! — See you again! (casual)
🔊 Listen: 또 봐!
For familiar friends, 안녕 is also a common way to say goodbye.
5. Korean Greetings for Different Situations
Now let’s see how to use Korean greetings in real-life situations.
Meeting Someone for the First Time
When you meet a new person, begin with a polite greeting.
Example
A: 안녕하세요. — Hello.
B: 안녕하세요. — Hello.
🔊 Listen: 안녕하세요
A: 저는 마이클이에요. — I’m Michael.
🔊 Listen: 저는 마이클이에요
B: 만나서 반가워요. — Nice to meet you.
🔊 Listen: 만나서 반가워요
A: 저도 반가워요. — Nice to meet you, too.
🔊 Listen: 저도 반가워요
If you want to learn more about introducing your name, nationality, and hobbies, continue with our related beginner lesson:
How to Introduce Yourself in Korean – Complete Beginner’s Guide
That guide teaches you how to build a complete Korean self-introduction step by step.
Greeting Someone You Haven’t Seen in a While
When meeting a friend after a long time, you can say:
오랜만이에요!
Oraenmanieyo!
“Long time no see!”
🔊 Listen: 오랜만이에요
You can follow it with:
잘 지냈어요?
Jal jinaesseoyo?
“Have you been well?”
🔊 Listen: 잘 지냈어요?
This is a natural way to ask about someone you haven’t seen recently.
Greeting Someone on the Phone
In Korean, people often answer the telephone by saying:
여보세요?
Yeoboseyo?
“Hello?”
🔊 Listen: 여보세요?
This word is strongly associated with telephone conversations. It is not the standard greeting for meeting someone face to face.
For in-person greetings, choose 안녕하세요.
Welcoming a Customer or Guest
You may hear:
어서 오세요!
Eoseo oseyo!
“Welcome!”
🔊 Listen: 어서 오세요
This expression is common in restaurants, shops, and other places where someone is welcoming a visitor.
It’s different from 안녕하세요 because it specifically welcomes someone arriving.
Saying Good Morning in Korean
좋은 아침이에요 (joeun achimieyo) literally means “It’s a good morning.”
🔊 Listen: 좋은 아침이에요
This is a possible friendly greeting, but Korean speakers do not rely on direct equivalents of “Good morning,” “Good afternoon,” and “Good evening” as routinely as English speakers do.
In many everyday situations, simply saying 안녕하세요 sounds more natural.
Saying Good Night in Korean
잘 자요 (jal jayo) means “Sleep well” or “Good night.”
🔊 Listen: 잘 자요
You can say this to someone you know when they are going to sleep.
With close friends, you may say 잘 자.
🔊 Listen: 잘 자
When speaking respectfully to someone older, 안녕히 주무세요 is an appropriate expression.
🔊 Listen: 안녕히 주무세요
Remember that 잘 자요 is a bedtime expression, not a typical greeting used when meeting someone late at night.
6. Common Korean Greeting Mistakes to Avoid
Learning individual words is only the beginning. Using them in the wrong situations can cause confusion.
Mistake 1: Using 안녕 with Every Stranger
Less appropriate: 안녕! — when greeting a teacher for the first time.
Better: 안녕하세요!
🔊 Listen: 안녕하세요
안녕 is casual. Use polite language until you know the relationship allows informal speech.
Mistake 2: Mixing Up 가세요 and 계세요
Remember these two expressions:
- 안녕히 가세요: The other person goes.
- 안녕히 계세요: The other person stays.
A helpful memory trick:
가다 = to go
🔊 Listen: 가다
계시다 = to stay / to be (honorific)
🔊 Listen: 계시다
Mistake 3: Saying 여보세요 in Every Situation
여보세요 is normally used to answer or get someone’s attention on the telephone.
For everyday face-to-face greetings, 안녕하세요 is a better choice.
Mistake 4: Translating English Greetings Literally
In English, “Good morning” is used frequently.
In Korean, 안녕하세요 is often more natural than trying to match every time-specific English greeting.
Instead of asking, “How do I translate this greeting word for word?” ask, “What would a Korean speaker naturally say in this situation?”
Mistake 5: Using 잘 자요 When Saying Goodbye During the Day
잘 자요 means “Sleep well.”
Use it at bedtime, not as a general goodbye expression.
For daytime farewells, expressions such as 안녕히 가세요, 안녕히 계세요, and 다음에 봐요 are more suitable depending on the situation.
7. Real-Life Korean Greeting Conversations
Practice reading these short dialogues aloud.
Conversation 1: Meeting a Classmate
A: 안녕하세요! — Hello!
🔊 Listen: 안녕하세요
B: 안녕하세요! — Hello!
A: 이름이 뭐예요? — What’s your name?
🔊 Listen: 이름이 뭐예요?
B: 저는 엠마예요. — I’m Emma.
🔊 Listen: 저는 엠마예요
A: 만나서 반가워요. — Nice to meet you.
🔊 Listen: 만나서 반가워요
B: 저도 반가워요. — Nice to meet you, too.
🔊 Listen: 저도 반가워요
Conversation 2: Seeing an Old Friend
A: 오랜만이야! — Long time no see!
🔊 Listen: 오랜만이야!
B: 진짜 오랜만이다! — It really has been a long time!
🔊 Listen: 진짜 오랜만이다!
A: 잘 지냈어? — Have you been well?
🔊 Listen: 잘 지냈어?
B: 응, 잘 지냈어. — Yeah, I’ve been well.
🔊 Listen: 응, 잘 지냈어.
This dialogue uses casual language because the speakers are close friends.
Conversation 3: Leaving a Korean Café
Customer: 잘 먹었습니다! — Thank you for the meal!
🔊 Listen: 잘 먹었습니다!
Employee: 감사합니다! — Thank you!
🔊 Listen: 감사합니다!
Customer: 안녕히 계세요! — Goodbye!
🔊 Listen: 안녕히 계세요
Employee: 안녕히 가세요! — Goodbye!
🔊 Listen: 안녕히 가세요
Cultural tip: 잘 먹었습니다 is commonly said after finishing a meal, especially when you want to express appreciation for the food.
Conversation 4: Answering a Phone Call
A: 여보세요? — Hello?
🔊 Listen: 여보세요?
B: 네, 안녕하세요. — Yes, hello.
🔊 Listen: 네, 안녕하세요.
A: 지금 통화 괜찮으세요? — Is this a good time to talk?
🔊 Listen: 지금 통화 괜찮으세요?
B: 네, 괜찮아요. — Yes, it’s fine.
🔊 Listen: 네, 괜찮아요.
Notice that the caller can follow 여보세요 with another polite greeting, depending on the conversation.
8. Practice Quiz: Choose the Correct Korean Greeting
Test your understanding before checking the answer key.
Question 1
You meet your Korean teacher for the first time. What should you say?
A. 안녕!
B. 안녕하세요!
C. 잘 자요!
Question 2
You are leaving a friend’s home, and your friend is staying. Which expression is appropriate?
A. 안녕히 계세요.
B. 안녕히 가세요.
C. 여보세요.
Question 3
A customer is leaving your café. Which expression should you use?
A. 안녕히 가세요.
B. 잘 자요.
C. 어서 오세요.
Question 4
Your close friend calls you on the phone. Which expression can you use when answering?
A. 안녕히 계세요.
B. 여보세요?
C. 잘 먹었습니다.
Question 5
You see a friend you haven’t met for several months. Which expression fits best?
A. 오랜만이야!
B. 안녕하십니까!
C. 안녕히 주무세요!
Answers and Explanations
1. B — 안녕하세요!
This is a polite and natural greeting for a teacher.
2. A — 안녕히 계세요.
You are leaving while the other person remains.
3. A — 안녕히 가세요.
The customer is leaving and you are staying.
4. B — 여보세요?
This is a standard way to answer a telephone call.
5. A — 오랜만이야!
It means “Long time no see!” and is suitable for a close friend.
Speaking Challenge: Three Everyday Situations
Try saying the correct greeting without looking at the answers.
Situation A: You enter a Korean bookstore.
Situation B: Your friend leaves your apartment.
Situation C: You are going to sleep and say good night to a close friend.
Suggested answers:
A. 안녕하세요.
B. 안녕히 가세요. / 잘 가!
C. 잘 자!
Extra challenge: Record yourself saying each expression, then compare your rhythm and pronunciation with the audio examples above.
9. Frequently Asked Questions About Korean Greetings
What is the most common way to say hello in Korean?
안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) is one of the most common polite greetings. It is a reliable choice for beginners in everyday situations.
What is the difference between 안녕 and 안녕하세요?
안녕 is informal, while 안녕하세요 is polite. Use 안녕 with close friends and 안녕하세요 when meeting someone new or speaking politely.
How do Koreans say good morning?
You can say 좋은 아침이에요, but 안녕하세요 is often a more natural everyday greeting regardless of the time of day.
How do you say hello on the phone in Korean?
The standard telephone greeting is 여보세요 (yeoboseyo). Depending on the caller and setting, other polite expressions may follow.
How do you say goodbye politely in Korean?
Use 안녕히 가세요 when the other person leaves and 안녕히 계세요 when you leave someone who remains. Other goodbye expressions may be more suitable when both people are leaving or the setting is informal.
Is Korean greeting etiquette difficult for beginners?
It may seem complicated at first, but you can begin with just three expressions: 안녕하세요, 안녕히 가세요, and 안녕히 계세요. As you practice, the differences become easier to remember.
10. Final Review: How to Say Hello in Korean Naturally
Now you know how to say hello in Korean and how to choose greetings that fit the situation.
Here are the most important expressions to remember:
| Situation | Korean greeting |
|---|---|
| Polite hello | 안녕하세요 |
| Casual hi | 안녕 |
| Formal hello | 안녕하십니까 |
| Nice to meet you | 만나서 반가워요 |
| Long time no see | 오랜만이에요 |
| Other person is leaving | 안녕히 가세요 |
| You are leaving | 안녕히 계세요 |
| Answering the phone | 여보세요 |
| Before sleeping | 잘 자요 |
The most important lesson: Korean greetings are not simply translations of English words. They reflect the relationship between speakers and the situation they are in.
Start by practicing 안녕하세요 until it feels comfortable. Then practice goodbye expressions in everyday situations.
Ready for the next step?
You already know how to greet someone. Now learn to introduce yourself by saying your name, nationality, occupation, and hobbies.
Learn How to Introduce Yourself in Korean – Step-by-Step Lesson
Keep practicing with HYUZ Korean lessons. A few minutes of speaking practice every day can help you build the confidence to have real conversations in Korean.