Learning the basic greetings is important in any language. However, in a conservative culture like Korea, it is more important to learn to greet others correctly to avoid offending them. The standard way of saying "hello" in Korean, used among adults who do not know each other, is 안녕하세요 (an-nyeong-ha-se-yo). If you are going to talk to your friends and family, there are more informal greetings you can use. There are also other words and phrases that you can use to greet people depending on the context and time of day.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Show courtesy and respect
Step 1. Say 안녕하세요 (an-nyeong-ha-se-yo) when you meet someone for the first time
If you are an adult and you are going to talk to someone you don't know, 안녕하세요 (an-nyeong-ha-se-yo) is the best option to say "hello". This greeting is considered quite formal and shows respect for the person you are greeting.
- This greeting should also be used in any context where it is important to maintain a degree of formality, such as in the workplace, even if you are talking to someone you are being nice to.
- Children also use this greeting when greeting adults.
Tip:
The 요 (I) at the end of the greeting indicates that it is polite. Every time you see the 요 (I), you will know that the word or phrase used is courteous and is generally accepted by adults to express proper respect.
Step 2. Use 안녕 (an-nyeong) when talking to children
안녕 (an-nyeong) is a shortened and more informal version of the standard greeting 안녕하세요 (an-nyeong-ha-se-yo). Commonly this greeting is used between children and members of a family. However, it is rarely used by adults unless they are greeting a child.
안녕 (an-nyeong) is also used between friends. However, for adults over 30, you will generally only hear this greeting between women. Men rarely, if ever, use it unless they are talking to a child. In Korean society, it is generally seen inappropriate for a grown man to use an expression used by boys
Tip:
안녕 (an-nyeong) is used to say both "hello" and "goodbye". However, 안녕하세요 (an-nyeong-ha-se-yo) is only used to say "hello".
Step 3. Try other informal greetings if you are a grown man
A grown man in Korea will never greet his friends with 안녕 (an-nyeong) because this is a phrase used by women and children. However, there are a number of other phrases grown men use to greet their friends that are a bit less formal than 안녕하세요 (an-nyeong-ha-se-yo) but still convey the proper courtesy. These greetings include:
- 반갑다! (ban-gap-da): This phrase means "good to see you" and is the most common informal greeting among adult male friends. Teens and children may also use it.
- 잘 지냈어? (jal ji-ne-sseo?): similar to "how are you?" this sentence asks "have you been well?" It is also a common greeting among adult male friends. Teens and children also use this greeting.
- 오랜만 이야 (o-ren-ma-ni-ya): "It has been so long since I saw you" used between adult male friends who hadn't seen each other in a long time. Children and adolescents also tell themselves this using the same context.
- 얼굴 보니까 좋다 (ul-gul bo-ni-gga jo-ta): "It's good to see your face," an informal, colloquial greeting used exclusively among adult friends.
Step 4. Listen to 안녕하십니까 (an-nyeong-ha-shim-ni-ka) in business contexts
안녕하십니까 (an-nyeong-ha-shim-ni-ka) is a very formal way of saying "hello" in Korean and is usually used by a businessman who wants to show respect to his customers. It is meant to show a lot of respect and kindness.
- While you won't be greeted this way in every store or restaurant you walk into in Korea, you will likely hear it in fancier venues. The staff of a Korean airline will greet you this way too.
- You may be greeted this way while in Korea, but you will rarely have the opportunity to do so unless you work in a customer service position in Korea. Using this phrase in any other context will make the people you greet uncomfortable.
Step 5. Accompany polite or formal greetings with a bow
When greeting someone using a formal greeting, flex your head and waist approximately 45 degrees while looking down. If you're using a polite greeting with someone you know, bow at 15-30 degrees.
- The depth of the bow depends on the person and the context. Someone older than you or in a position of authority will always receive a deeper bow.
- Never make eye contact with the other person while bowing. It is considered rude.
Method 2 of 2: Use other types of greetings
Step 1. Answer the phone with 여 보세요 (yeo-bo-se-yo)
여 보세요 (yeo-bo-se-yo) is a way of saying "hello", but it is only used when you answer the phone. It would be inappropriate and almost rude to use it in person or in any other context.
Because the phrase ends in 요 (I), it is considered polite and appropriate to use regardless of who is on the other end of the line
Step 2. Switch to 좋은 아침 (jo-eun a-chim) first thing in the morning
Unlike English and many other languages, there are no distinct greetings in Korea that depend on the time of day. However, first thing in the morning you can use 좋은 아침 (jo-eun a-chim), which literally means "good morning."
While people will understand you when you say this, it is not a commonly used greeting. It is best used between people who know each other relatively well, especially if one of you said it first
Step 3. Say 만나서 반갑 습니다 (man-na-se-o ban-gap-seum-ni-da) after being introduced to someone new
만나서 반갑 습니다 (man-na-se-o ban-gap-seum-ni-da) means, more or less, "nice to meet you". If you know someone in a formal or professional setting, this is the phrase to use.
- Don't forget to bow as you say it, unless you've already bowed.
- This phrase is also appropriate if you are meeting someone who appears to be older than you or is in a position of authority.
Step 4. Try 만나서 반가워요 (man-na-se-o ban-ga-wo-yo) if you are meeting someone your age or younger
만나서 반가워요 (man-na-se-o ban-ga-wo-yo) is the more informal version of 만나서 반갑 습니다 (man-na-se-o ban-gap-seum-ni-da) and also means "a nice to meet you". This phrase is appropriate when you are introduced to someone your age or younger.
Remember to pay attention to the context, as well as the age of the person you are greeting. If you are meeting someone your age in a professional or formal setting, it is normal that you still use 만나서 반갑 습니다 (man-na-se-o ban-gap-seum-ni-da). 만나서 반가워요 (man-na-se-o ban-ga-wo-yo) is suitable for a casual social setting, such as when you are introduced to a friend of a friend
Cultural advice:
If you're not sure what level of politeness to use, use the most polite greeting. No one will blame you for being too polite or formal, but you can offend someone if you are too casual.