Learning how to say “hi” in Korean is one of the first and most crucial steps when embarking on your Korean language journey. Knowing the right Korean greetings not only ensures you make a positive first impression but also paves the way for engaging conversations with native Korean speakers.
If you’re looking to learn the essential ways to say hello in Korean, you’ve come to the right place.
In this guide, we’ll explore various Korean greetings, from the most formal to casual expressions. Understanding these nuances will significantly enhance your communication skills and cultural awareness in Korea. And if you’re eager to expand your Korean vocabulary and conversational abilities even further, consider exploring language learning resources like Drops.
Before diving into specific greetings, it’s vital to understand the concept of formality in the Korean language.
Understanding Formality in Korean
Korean distinguishes itself with its nuanced levels of formality, a reflection of the country’s deeply rooted hierarchical culture. While Korean is said to have up to seven levels of formality, in everyday conversation, you’ll primarily encounter four. Choosing the correct level is paramount as it signifies respect and social awareness. Using the wrong level can be perceived as impolite or even disrespectful. Here’s a breakdown of the key levels:
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Honorific Speech (하십시오체 – hasipsio-che): This is the highest level of formality, reserved for very formal situations. You’ll hear it in news broadcasts, military settings, or when addressing superiors in highly structured professional environments. It conveys immense respect and deference.
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Formal Speech (해요체 – haeyo-che): Polite and respectful, formal speech is your go-to for interactions with elders, strangers, or in professional settings where honorific speech isn’t necessary but respect is still paramount. This is a safe and versatile level for most initial interactions.
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Familiar Speech (반말 – banmal or 해체 – hae-che): This level is less formal and more relaxed, suitable for people you know reasonably well, including peers, colleagues of similar standing, or older individuals who have explicitly granted you permission to use this level. It strikes a balance between politeness and closeness.
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Informal Speech (아주 반말 – aju banmal): Reserved for your closest friends, family members, and significantly younger individuals. Informal speech signifies intimacy and closeness. Using it with someone you’re not close to would be considered highly inappropriate and rude.
Each “hello” in Korean we’ll explore falls into one of these formality levels. We’ll clearly indicate the formality associated with each greeting to ensure you use them appropriately in various social contexts.
How to say hello in Korean
Formal Ways to Say Hello in Korean
When you need to convey respect and politeness, these formal Korean greetings are essential.
#1 안녕하세요 (Annyeonghaseyo) – “Hello” in Korean (Formal/Standard)
Pronunciation: ahn-nyeong-ha-se-yo
Formality Level: Formal/Polite
Usage: Annyeonghaseyo is the most versatile and widely used Korean greeting. Think of it as the standard “hello.” It literally translates to “Are you at peace/well-being?”. It functions both as a greeting and a polite inquiry about someone’s well-being, similar to asking “How are you?” in English.
Situations:
- Greeting elders (parents, grandparents, teachers)
- Addressing strangers
- Speaking to shopkeepers or restaurant staff
- Interacting with colleagues or superiors in a professional context
- Meeting someone for the first time
Annyeonghaseyo is your safest bet in almost any situation, making it the most crucial greeting to memorize. You can use it when entering a store, meeting a client, or greeting your Korean tutor.
#2 안녕하십니까? (Annyeonghasimnikka) – “Hello” in Korean (Very Formal/Honorific)
Pronunciation: ahn-nyeong-ha-shim-ni-kka
Formality Level: Honorific/Very Formal
Usage: Annyeonghasimnikka is the most formal way to say “hello” in Korean. It’s the honorific version of Annyeonghaseyo, expressing a very high level of respect.
Situations:
- Formal speeches or presentations
- News broadcasts
- Addressing a very senior person in a highly formal setting (e.g., CEO, high-ranking official)
- Expressing utmost respect in extremely formal encounters
While you might not use Annyeonghasimnikka daily, understanding it helps you recognize the different tiers of formality in Korean. It’s primarily used in situations demanding the utmost respect and formality.
Informal Ways to Say Hi in Korean
For interactions with friends, family, and those younger than you, these informal greetings are appropriate and natural.
#3 안녕 (Annyeong) – “Hi” in Korean (Informal)
Pronunciation: ahn-nyeong
Formality Level: Informal
Usage: Annyeong is the informal equivalent of “hello” or “hi” in Korean. It’s a shortened version of Annyeonghaseyo, dropping the polite suffix.
Situations:
- Greeting close friends
- Talking to siblings or younger relatives
- Addressing children
- Casual interactions with peers you are close to
Using Annyeong with someone you are not close to or someone older than you can be considered rude, so reserve this greeting for informal settings. It signifies closeness and familiarity.
#4 여보세요 (Yeoboseyo) – “Hello” (on the phone) in Korean
Pronunciation: yeo-bo-se-yo
Formality Level: Formal/Informal (Phone Greeting)
Usage: Yeoboseyo is exclusively used as a phone greeting in Korean. It’s versatile enough to use whether you know who is calling or not.
Situations:
- Answering the phone (both mobile and landline)
- Making a phone call when the other person answers
Important Note: Do not use Yeoboseyo in face-to-face interactions. It’s strictly a phone greeting. Using it in person would sound very strange to a Korean speaker.
#5 좋은 아침이에요 (Joeun achimieyo) – “Good morning” in Korean
Pronunciation: joh-eun ah-chi-mi-e-yo
Formality Level: Formal/Polite
Usage: Joeun achimieyo directly translates to “Good morning” in Korean. While Annyeonghaseyo is more common as a general morning greeting, Joeun achimieyo is also perfectly acceptable and adds variety to your greetings.
Situations:
- Greeting someone in the morning (similar to “good morning” in English)
- Can be used in formal and informal situations where “good morning” is appropriate
#6 잘 잤어요? (Jal jasseoyo?) – “Did you sleep well?” in Korean
Pronunciation: jal jass-eo-yo?
Formality Level: Formal/Polite
Usage: Jal jasseoyo? is a polite and caring way to greet someone in the morning by asking if they slept well. It’s a thoughtful alternative to a simple “hello.”
Situations:
- Greeting someone in the morning, showing care for their well-being
- Suitable for people you know reasonably well (friends, family, colleagues)
#7 오랜만이에요 (Oraenmanieyo) – “Long time no see” in Korean
Pronunciation: oh-ren-ma-ni-e-yo
Formality Level: Formal/Polite
Usage: Oraenmanieyo is the phrase to use when greeting someone you haven’t seen in a while. It’s equivalent to “Long time no see” in English.
Situations:
- Reuniting with someone after a period of time
- Suitable for friends, acquaintances, or colleagues you haven’t seen recently
#8 밥 먹었어요? (Bap meogeosseoyo?) – “Have you eaten?” in Korean
Pronunciation: bap meo-geo-sseo-yo?
Formality Level: Familiar/Polite
Usage: Bap meogeosseoyo? literally translates to “Have you eaten rice?” but is used as a warm greeting, especially in Korean culture where food and meals are highly significant. It’s a way of showing care and concern for someone’s well-being.
Situations:
- Greeting someone around meal times (lunch or dinner)
- Used among friends, family, and close acquaintances to show you care
#9 얼굴 보니까 좋다 (Eolgul bonikka jota) – “It’s good to see your face” in Korean
Pronunciation: eol-gul bo-ni-kka jo-ta
Formality Level: Informal
Usage: Eolgul bonikka jota is a more casual and affectionate greeting, translating to “It’s good to see your face.” It’s a friendly and warm way to express your happiness at seeing someone.
Situations:
- Greeting close friends or loved ones
- Expressing genuine happiness at seeing someone
#10 무슨 일이야? (Museun iriya?) – “What’s up?” in Korean
Pronunciation: mu-seun il-i-ya?
Formality Level: Informal
Usage: Museun iriya? is the Korean equivalent of “What’s up?” or “What’s going on?” in English. It’s a very casual greeting used among close friends.
Situations:
- Greeting close friends in a very informal setting
- Similar to saying “What’s up?” in English
#11 안뇽! (Annyong!) – “Hiiii!” in Korean (Cute/Aegyo)
Pronunciation: ahn-nyong! (with a cute tone)
Formality Level: Informal/Cute
Usage: Annyong! with an elongated and cute intonation is a playful and aegyo-filled greeting. Aegyo is Korean for acting cute, often in a flirtatious or childish way.
Situations:
- Used to be cute and playful with close friends
- Often used by females, but sometimes by males in specific contexts
- Reflects aegyo culture seen in K-dramas and Korean pop culture
Cultural Tips for Greeting in Korea
Greetings in Korea extend beyond just words. Understanding the accompanying cultural nuances is crucial for effective communication.
Bowing: Bowing is a fundamental aspect of Korean greetings. The depth of the bow signifies the level of respect. Generally, for formal greetings, a deeper bow is appropriate. For casual greetings among friends, a slight nod may suffice.
Eye Contact and Bowing: While bowing, it’s generally recommended to lower your gaze slightly, rather than maintaining direct eye contact throughout the bow, especially in formal settings.
Titles and Honorifics: Korean culture places significant emphasis on titles and honorifics. When addressing someone, especially in formal situations, using appropriate titles is essential.
- 씨 (ssi): Attached to the full name or first name, ssi is a polite title of address, similar to “Mr.” or “Ms.” in English. It’s used for people you are not very close to but still want to address politely.
- 님 (nim): Attached to a title (like 선생님 – seonsaengnim for teacher) or a name, nim is a higher honorific, expressing greater respect. For instance, addressing a teacher as seonsaengnim is more respectful than just calling them by their name with ssi.
Learning and correctly using these Korean greetings will significantly enhance your interactions and demonstrate your respect for Korean culture. Practice these phrases and observe native speakers to refine your understanding and usage in real-life situations. And if you’re interested in learning how to say “goodbye” in Korean, we have a guide for that too!
Expand Your Korean Vocabulary
Eager to learn even more Korean words and phrases beyond greetings? Try Drops! and immerse yourself in a fun and effective language learning experience.
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