Korean greetings become easier when you learn them as social choices rather than direct word-for-word translations. The phrase you choose depends on familiarity, age, role, and the formality of the situation. A beginner does not need every speech level at once; a small, polite set is enough for most first conversations.
Start with 안녕하세요
안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) is the dependable everyday greeting for a person you do not know well, a colleague, a shop employee, or someone older. It is often translated as “hello,” but its polite ending also signals respect.
Break it into a steady rhythm: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. Romanization is only a temporary guide. Listen to a native recording and compare the sound with the Hangul spelling as early as possible.
Use 안녕 only with people close to you
안녕 (annyeong) is casual. Friends of similar age, close family members, and adults speaking warmly to children may use it. Using it immediately with an older stranger can sound disrespectful. When uncertain, choose 안녕하세요.
Ask how someone has been
잘 지냈어요? (jal jinaesseoyo?) means “Have you been well?” and fits when meeting someone again after some time. A natural answer is 네, 잘 지냈어요 (ne, jal jinaesseoyo): “Yes, I’ve been well.” You can return the question with 잘 지냈어요?
Greet someone you are meeting for the first time
처음 뵙겠습니다 (cheoeum boepgetseumnida) is a formal “It is nice to meet you.” In many ordinary introductions, 만나서 반가워요 (mannaseo bangawoyo), “Nice to meet you,” feels friendly and polite. In a formal workplace or ceremony, the first phrase is safer.
Say goodbye according to who is leaving
Korean commonly distinguishes between the person who stays and the person who goes:
- 안녕히 가세요 (annyeonghi gaseyo) — say this to the person who is leaving.
- 안녕히 계세요 (annyeonghi gyeseyo) — say this when you are leaving and the other person stays.
In service settings you may also hear 감사합니다, 안녕히 가세요: “Thank you, goodbye.”
Useful greetings for the day
English speakers often expect separate phrases for good morning and good evening. In Korean, 안녕하세요 works throughout the day. With someone close, 잘 잤어요? (jal jasseoyo?), “Did you sleep well?”, can function like a warm morning greeting. Before sleep, 잘 자요 (jal jayo) means “Sleep well” in a polite but familiar style.
A five-minute practice routine
- Listen to one phrase from a reliable native-speaker recording.
- Read the Hangul, then repeat slowly three times.
- Say the phrase at normal speed without looking.
- Imagine one situation where it fits and one where it would be too casual.
- Review it the next day before adding another phrase.
The goal is not to sound perfect on the first attempt. A polite phrase used with attention is a strong beginning. As your listening improves, notice how speakers adjust endings and tone according to the relationship.