Learning Korean: ‘Greetings’ for Beginners
If you are learning Korean, the very first thing you need to master is greetings. In Korean culture, greetings are not just simple “hello.” They change depending on the situation, the relationship between people, and the level of politeness.
In this guide, we will go through the most useful Korean greetings for beginners. Each phrase comes with the Korean spelling, pronunciation, and an English explanation so you can start using them right away in daily life.
1. basic korean greetings
안녕하세요 (Annyeonghaseyo)
- Meaning: Hello (polite)
- When to use: This is the most common greeting in Korean. Use it with people you meet for the first time, in school, at work, or in any formal situation.
- Tip: If you are just learning Korean, this should be the first greeting you memorize.
안녕 (Annyeong)
- Meaning: Hi / Bye (casual)
- When to use: With friends, family, or close people only. You can use it both when meeting and when saying goodbye.
2. Asking “How are you?” in Korean
잘 지냈어요? (Jal jinaesseoyo?)
- Meaning: How have you been?
- When to use: When you meet someone after a while.
- Casual version: 잘 지냈어? (Jal jinaesseo?)
요즘 어때요? (Yojum eottaeyo?)
- Meaning: How’s it going these days?
- When to use: Casual conversation. Perfect for friends or classmates.
- Learning Korean tip: Phrases like this are great to practice small talk.
3. First-Time Meetings
처음 뵙겠습니다 (Cheoeum boepgesseumnida)
- Meaning: Nice to meet you (formal)
- When to use: Business meetings, formal introductions, or when meeting elders.
반가워요 / 반가워 (Bangawoyo / Bangawo)
- Meaning: Nice to meet you (friendly)
- When to use: Everyday situations when you meet someone new. Use “반가워요” politely and “반가워” casually.
4. Saying Goodbye in Korean
안녕히 계세요 (Annyeonghi gyeseyo)
- Meaning: Goodbye (when you leave, and the other person stays)
안녕히 가세요 (Annyeonghi gaseyo)
- Meaning: Goodbye (when the other person leaves)
잘 가 (Jal ga)
- Meaning: Take care (casual)
- When to use: With close friends only.
5. Special Greetings
좋은 아침이에요 (Joeun achimieyo)
- Meaning: Good morning
- Note: Not very common in daily Korean, but still useful to know when learning Korean greetings.
좋은 하루 보내세요 (Joeun haru bonaeseyo)
- Meaning: Have a nice day
- When to use: When parting politely, especially at work, shops, or with teachers.
Final Thoughts
Mastering Korean greetings is one of the easiest and most effective ways to start learning Korean. By using the right greeting in the right situation, you show not only language skills but also respect for Korean culture.
Try practicing these greetings with your friends or language partners. The more you use them, the more natural they will feel.