Language/Korean/Vocabulary/Hello-and-Goodbye

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

In this lesson, we will dive into the essential Korean expressions for greeting and bidding farewell. Mastering these phrases is crucial for anyone looking to communicate effectively in Korean. Greetings and goodbyes are often the first words we learn in a new language, as they help us connect with others and initiate conversations. Understanding the nuances behind these expressions will not only enhance your vocabulary but will also give you a glimpse into Korean culture and social etiquette.

Throughout this lesson, we will cover:

• Common greetings and goodbyes in Korean.

• Situational uses for each expression.

• Variations based on formality and context.

• Exercises to practice and solidify your learning.

Now, let's get started!

Common Greetings

In Korean, greetings can vary significantly based on the time of day and the level of formality. Here are some of the most common greetings you will encounter.

Hello

The most basic and widely used greeting in Korean is "안녕하세요" (annyeonghaseyo). It’s a polite way to say hello, suitable for most situations.

Korean	Pronunciation	English
안녕하세요	annyeonghaseyo	Hello
안녕	annyeong	Hi (informal)
안녕하십니까	annyeonghasimnikka	Hello (formal)

Good Morning

To greet someone in the morning, you can use "좋은 아침입니다" (joheun achimimnida). This is a polite expression for "Good morning."

Korean	Pronunciation	English
좋은 아침입니다	joheun achimimnida	Good morning
좋은 아침	joheun achim	Good morning (informal)

Good Afternoon

For the afternoon, "안녕하세요" (annyeonghaseyo) can still be used, but you might also hear "좋은 오후입니다" (joheun ohuimnida) for "Good afternoon."

Korean	Pronunciation	English
좋은 오후입니다	joheun ohuimnida	Good afternoon
좋은 오후	joheun ohu	Good afternoon (informal)

Good Evening

In the evening, you can say "좋은 저녁입니다" (joheun jeonyeogimnida), which means "Good evening."

Korean	Pronunciation	English
좋은 저녁입니다	joheun jeonyeogimnida	Good evening
좋은 저녁	joheun jeonyeok	Good evening (informal)

Basic Goodbye Phrases

Just as greetings are important, knowing how to say goodbye is equally essential. Here are some common phrases to bid farewell.

Goodbye (Polite)

"안녕히 가세요" (annyeonghi gaseyo) is used when the other person is leaving, meaning "Please go in peace."

Korean	Pronunciation	English
안녕히 가세요	annyeonghi gaseyo	Goodbye (to someone leaving)

Goodbye (Informal)

If you are in a casual setting, you can simply say "잘 가" (jal ga), which is an informal way to say goodbye.

Korean	Pronunciation	English
잘 가	jal ga	Goodbye (informal)

Goodbye (If Staying)

When you are the one leaving, you would say "안녕히 계세요" (annyeonghi gyeseyo), which means "Please stay in peace."

Korean	Pronunciation	English
안녕히 계세요	annyeonghi gyeseyo	Goodbye (to someone staying)

Situational Expressions

Understanding the context where these phrases can be used will help you navigate social interactions more smoothly.

Meeting Someone for the First Time

When meeting someone new, it’s common to say "안녕하세요" (annyeonghaseyo) followed by a brief introduction. After some conversation, you might conclude with "안녕히 가세요" (annyeonghi gaseyo).

Casual Hangout

In a casual setting, like hanging out with friends, you might greet them with "안녕" (annyeong) and say "잘 가" (jal ga) when saying goodbye.

Summary of Key Points

• Greetings vary by time of day and formality.

• Goodbyes depend on who is leaving and who is staying.

• Cultural context plays a significant role in how you use these phrases.

Practice Exercises

Now that you’ve learned the vocabulary, let’s put your knowledge to the test with some practice exercises!

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences with the correct Korean greeting or goodbye.

1. When you meet a friend, you say: __________

2. When saying goodbye to someone leaving, you say: __________

3. In the morning, you greet someone with: __________

Answers:

1. 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo)

2. 안녕히 가세요 (annyeonghi gaseyo)

3. 좋은 아침입니다 (joheun achimimnida)

Exercise 2: Match the Phrases

Match the Korean phrases with their English translations.

1. 안녕하세요 a. Goodbye (to someone staying)

2. 잘 가 b. Good evening

3. 안녕히 계세요 c. Hi (informal)

Answers:

1 - a

2 - c

3 - b

Exercise 3: Create a Dialogue

Write a short dialogue between two people greeting each other and saying goodbye. Use at least three different greetings and farewells.

Example:

A: 안녕하세요! (annyeonghaseyo!)

B: 안녕하세요! 오늘 날씨가 좋네요. (annyeonghaseyo! oneul nalssiga jonneyo.)

A: 네, 정말 좋습니다. (ne, jeongmal josseumnida.)

B: 그럼, 잘 가! (geureom, jal ga!)

A: 안녕히 계세요! (annyeonghi gyeseyo!)

Exercise 4: Formal vs. Informal

Identify whether the following phrases are formal or informal. Write "F" for formal and "I" for informal.

1. 안녕하십니까 (annyeonghasimnikka) _____

2. 좋은 저녁 (joheun jeonyeok) _____

3. 잘 가 (jal ga) _____

Answers:

1. F

2. I

3. I

Exercise 5: Role Play

Pair up with a partner and role-play a situation where you greet each other, ask about the day, and say goodbye. Use at least five phrases from the lesson.

Exercise 6: Listening Practice

Listen to a native speaker say the greetings and goodbyes. Write down the phrases you hear and their meanings.

Exercise 7: Translation Practice

Translate the following sentences into Korean.

1. Good morning!

2. Goodbye, see you later!

Answers:

1. 좋은 아침입니다! (joheun achimimnida!)

2. 안녕히 가세요, 나중에 봐요! (annyeonghi gaseyo, najunge bwayo!)

Exercise 8: Create Your Own Greeting

Think of a unique way to greet your friends in Korean. Write it down and practice saying it.

Exercise 9: Cultural Reflection

Reflect on how greetings differ in your culture compared to Korean culture. Write a few sentences about your observations.

Exercise 10: Review and Practice

Review all the vocabulary and phrases learned in this lesson. Practice saying them aloud for fluency.

In this lesson, you have learned essential greetings and goodbyes in Korean, along with their proper usage in different contexts. Remember, practice makes perfect! So, keep using these phrases in your daily interactions, whether it’s with friends, family, or new acquaintances.

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

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