Language/Korean/Vocabulary/Hello-and-Goodbye

◀️ Subject and Object Markers — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Introducing Yourself ▶️

Korean → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Greetings and Introductions → Hello and Goodbye

Introduction

Welcome to the lesson on "Hello and Goodbye" in our Complete 0 to A1 Korean Course! In this lesson, we will teach you the basic Korean expressions for greeting and bidding farewell. These are essential phrases that you will use in everyday conversations to show politeness and respect to others. Mastering these greetings will help you make a positive impression and build rapport with native Korean speakers. So let's dive in and learn how to say hello and goodbye in Korean!

Basic Greetings

In Korean culture, greetings play an important role in establishing social connections and showing respect to others. Koreans value politeness and formality, especially when meeting someone for the first time or when addressing someone older or of higher status. Let's start by learning some basic greetings in Korean.

안녕하세요 (Annyeonghaseyo) - Hello

The most common way to say hello in Korean is "안녕하세요" (annyeonghaseyo). This greeting is used in formal or polite situations, such as when meeting someone for the first time, addressing someone older or in a position of authority, or in a professional setting.

Here's a breakdown of the pronunciation:

Korean	Pronunciation	English Translation
안녕하세요	annyeonghaseyo	Hello

You can use "안녕하세요" in any situation where you want to greet someone politely. It's a versatile phrase that can be used with anyone, regardless of their age or status. Koreans appreciate it when foreigners make an effort to use this greeting, so don't hesitate to use it whenever you meet someone new in Korea.

안녕 (Annyeong) - Hi/Goodbye

If you're in a more casual setting or talking to someone of the same age or younger, you can use the shorter greeting "안녕" (annyeong). This is the equivalent of "hi" in English. It can also be used to say goodbye in a casual context.

Here's a breakdown of the pronunciation:

Korean	Pronunciation	English Translation
안녕	annyeong	Hi/Goodbye

You can use "안녕" when greeting your friends, classmates, or colleagues who are of the same age or younger than you. It's a friendly and informal way to say hello or goodbye.

Cultural Insights

Korea is a country that values respect and hierarchy in social interactions. The way you greet someone in Korean can vary depending on the age and status of the person you are addressing. Let's take a look at some cultural insights and variations in greetings in different situations.

Bowing

In Korean culture, bowing is an important gesture that accompanies greetings. When greeting someone, especially someone older or of higher status, it is customary to bow slightly as a sign of respect. The depth of the bow can vary depending on the formality of the situation. A slight nod of the head is usually sufficient in casual settings, while a deeper bow is appropriate in more formal or ceremonial situations.

Honorifics

Korean language has a unique system of honorifics, which are linguistic expressions used to show respect and politeness. Honorifics are an important aspect of greetings in Korean. When addressing someone older or of higher status, it is common to use honorific titles or suffixes to show respect. For example, if you are speaking to someone older, you can add "오빠" (oppa) for older brother or male friend, or "언니" (eonni) for older sister or female friend. These honorific titles are used in addition to the basic greeting.

Regional Variations

Korea has different dialects and regional variations in language, which can also affect greetings. For example, in the southern region of Korea, people often use the greeting "어여 (eoyeo)" instead of "안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo)" to say hello. The word "어여" has a similar meaning to "안녕하세요" but is more commonly used in the southern dialect.

Practice Exercises

Now that you've learned the basic greetings in Korean, let's practice using them in different scenarios. Here are some exercises for you to test your knowledge:

Exercise 1: Greeting in Formal Situations

Imagine you are meeting a Korean business partner for the first time. How would you greet them? Write down a polite greeting using "안녕하세요".

Solution: 안녕하세요. 만나서 반갑습니다. (Annyeonghaseyo. Mannaseo bangapseumnida.)

Exercise 2: Greeting Friends

You are meeting your Korean friend for lunch. How would you greet them? Write down a casual greeting using "안녕".

Solution: 안녕! 오랜만이야. (Annyeong! Oraenmaniya.)

Exercise 3: Saying Goodbye

You are leaving a party. How would you say goodbye to your Korean friends? Write down a casual farewell using "안녕".

Solution: 안녕! 다음에 또 봐. (Annyeong! Daeume tto bwa.)

Conclusion

Congratulations! You've completed the lesson on "Hello and Goodbye" in our Complete 0 to A1 Korean Course. You've learned the basic Korean greetings and their cultural significance. Remember to use "안녕하세요" in formal situations and "안녕" in casual settings. Practice using these greetings in different scenarios to improve your Korean language skills. Keep up the good work and continue your journey to becoming fluent in Korean!

Table of Contents - Korean Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Korean Alphabets

• Reading and writing Korean Alphabets
• Korean Pronunciation
• Subject and Object Markers

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Hello and Goodbye
• Introducing Yourself
• Family and Friends

  ---

Korean Culture and Customs

• Korean Etiquette
• Korean Holidays
• Korean Cuisine

  ---

Sentence Building

• Basic Verb Conjugation
• Question Words
• Connecting Verbs

  ---

Daily Routine

• Daily Activities
• Means of Transportation
• Weather and Seasons

  ---

Korean Pop Culture

• Korean Dramas
• Korean Music
• Korean Cinema

  ---

Describing People and Things

• Describing People
• Describing Things
• Comparatives and Superlatives

  ---

Food and Drinks

• Food and Ingredients
• Drinks
• Cooking and Recipes

  ---

Korean Traditions

• Korean Weddings
• Korean Festivals
• Korean Games and Sports

  ---

Verb Tenses

• Past Tense
• Future Tense
• Progressive Tense

  ---

Travel and Sightseeing

• Travel Vocabulary
• Sightseeing Vocabulary
• Shopping Vocabulary

  ---

Korean Arts and Crafts

• Korean Calligraphy
• Korean Pottery
• Korean Paper Crafts

  ---

Conjunctions and Connectors

• Conjunctions
• Connectors
• Conditional Sentences

  ---

Health and Body

• Body Parts
• Health Vocabulary
• Exercise and Fitness Vocabulary

  ---

Korean Nature

• Korean National Parks
• Korean Folk Villages
• Korean Eco-Friendly Practices

Sources

• How to Say “Hello” in Korean: A Complete Guide
• How to Say Hello and Goodbye in Korean – Ryan Octosa
• Hello in Korean: Korean Greetings and Goodbyes for the Pop ...

Other Lessons

• Animal
• Family and Friends
• Feelings and Emotions
• Food
• Health Vocabulary
• Animals
• Cooking and Recipes
• Exercise and Fitness Vocabulary
• Fruits
• Shopping Vocabulary

◀️ Subject and Object Markers — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Introducing Yourself ▶️