When you first meet
안녕하세요.
annyeonghaseyo
Hello.
When to use it
Use this polite hello with people you meet for the first time or with staff in shops, cafés, and restaurants.
안녕!
annyeong
Hi!
When to use it
Use this very casual hi only with close friends or people your age. Avoid it with older people or in formal situations.
처음 뵙겠습니다.
cheoeum boep-get-seum-nida
Nice to meet you.
When to use it
Use this very formal phrase at a first meeting when you want to sound especially polite, for example in an interview or business meeting.
만나서 반가워요.
mannaseo bangawoyo
Nice to meet you.
When to use it
Use this when it’s your first time meeting but you don’t want to sound too stiff. It feels friendly and warm.
일상 인사
잘 지냈어요?
jal jinaesseoyo
How have you been?
When to use it
Use this when you meet someone you know after some time and want to ask how they’ve been doing.
요즘 어떻게 지내요?
yojeum eotteoke jinaeyo
How are you these days?
When to use it
Use this to start light small talk and ask in general about their work, study, and life these days.
일상 인사
감사합니다.
gamsahamnida
Thank you.
When to use it
This is a polite thank-you you can safely use with strangers, older people, and staff.
고마워요.
gomawoyo
Thanks.
When to use it
Use this soft thank-you with friends or people your age when you want to sound friendly but not too formal.
일상 인사
죄송합니다.
joesonghamnida
I’m very sorry.
When to use it
Use this serious apology when you’ve made a mistake, especially with older people or in formal situations.
미안해요.
mianhaeyo
I’m sorry.
When to use it
Use this when you want to say sorry to friends or people close to you in a soft, not too formal way.
헤어질 때 인사
안녕히 가세요.
annyeonghi gaseyo
Goodbye. (to someone leaving)
When to use it
Use this when the other person is leaving. You’ll also hear it when staff say goodbye to customers.
안녕히 계세요.
annyeonghi gyeseyo
Goodbye. (when you are leaving)
When to use it
Use this polite goodbye when you are the one leaving and others stay.