Greetings and everyday phrases
Hello, goodbye, thank you, sorry, and the phrases at meals.
Hello and goodbye
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| 안녕하세요 annyeonghaseyo | hello | at any time of day |
| 안녕하십니까 annyeonghasimnikka | hello | formal |
| 안녕 annyeong | hi, bye | to friends and children |
| 안녕히 가세요 annyeonghi gaseyo | goodbye | to someone leaving |
| 안녕히 계세요 annyeonghi gyeseyo | goodbye | to someone staying, when you leave |
| 여보세요 yeoboseyo | hello? | on the phone |
| 어서 오세요 eoseo oseyo | welcome | said by shop staff |
안녕 means "peace, well-being": 안녕하세요 asks "are you at peace?", and is answered with 안녕하세요 too. With an older or senior person, it comes with a slight bow.
Thank you and sorry
| Korean | Meaning | Style |
|---|---|---|
| 감사합니다 gamsahamnida | thank you | formal |
| 고맙습니다 gomapseumnida | thank you | formal |
| 고마워요 gomawoyo | thank you | polite |
| 고마워 gomawo | thanks | casual |
| 죄송합니다 joesonghamnida | I'm sorry | formal |
| 미안해요 mianhaeyo | I'm sorry | polite |
| 미안해 mianhae | sorry | casual |
| 괜찮아요 gwaenchanayo | it's fine, no problem | polite |
To answer thanks, say 아니에요 "not at all" or 별말씀을요 "don't mention it". 괜찮아요 also means "I'm fine" and "no, thank you" when offered something.
Meeting someone
- cheoeum boepgetseumnida.How do you do?literally "I see you for the first time"
- mannaseo bangawoyo.Nice to meet you.
- jeoneun jeimseuyeyo. yeonggugeseo wasseoyo.I'm James. I'm from Britain.
- jal butakdeurimnida.I look forward to working with you.literally "I ask your kind favour"
At meals
| Korean | When |
|---|---|
| 잘 먹겠습니다 jal meokgetseumnida | before eating, to whoever made or paid for it |
| 잘 먹었습니다 jal meogeotseumnida | after eating, to the same person |
| 맛있게 드세요 masitge deuseyo | to someone about to eat: enjoy |
Getting attention
저기요 jeogiyo "excuse me" calls a waiter or a stranger, and 실례합니다 sillyehamnida "excuse me" interrupts or passes. 잠깐만요 jamkkanmanyo means "just a moment", and also "excuse me" when squeezing past.
At the end of the day
수고하셨습니다 sugohasyeotseumnida, "you've worked hard", thanks colleagues at the end of the day, and staff or a driver when you leave.
Cards from this guide
10 cardsEach card asks about one thing this guide teaches, and its back gives the answer with why and an example. They're reviewed with the rest of the Talking with people cards.
How do you say 'hello' politely?
안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo).
안녕히 가세요 or 안녕히 계세요: what do you say when you leave a shop?
안녕히 계세요: 'stay in peace'.
How do you say 'thank you' in a shop or to a stranger?
감사합니다 (gamsahamnida), or 고맙습니다.
How do you apologise formally?
죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida).
What does 괜찮아요 mean?
It's fine: 'no problem', 'I'm fine', or 'no, thank you'.
How do you say 'Nice to meet you'?
만나서 반가워요, or formally 반갑습니다.
What do you say before eating a meal someone made or paid for?
잘 먹겠습니다.
How do you call a waiter?
저기요!
What do you say when answering the phone?
여보세요 (yeoboseyo).
What does 수고하셨습니다 say?
'You've worked hard': thanks for someone's work.