The 40 Korean greetings and daily phrases native speakers actually use, from hello to goodbye and formal to casual, with pronunciation for every one.
Why Greetings Matter in Korean
Korean culture places deep value on respect and social relationships, and greetings reflect that beautifully. The way you say hello, thank you, or goodbye in Korean changes based on who you are speaking to — a stranger, a friend, or a boss. Getting greetings right will immediately impress native speakers and open doors.
Essential Hellos
Korean
Romanization
Meaning
When to Use
안녕하세요
Annyeonghaseyo
Hello (formal)
Strangers, older people, teachers
안녕
Annyeong
Hi (informal)
Close friends, younger people
안녕하십니까
Annyeonghasimnikka
Hello (very formal)
Business, military, presentations
반갑습니다
Bangapseumnida
Nice to meet you
First meetings (formal)
반가워요
Bangawoyo
Nice to meet you
First meetings (polite)
오랜만이에요
Oraenmanieyo
Long time no see
Seeing someone after a while
Goodbyes
Korean has two different "goodbye" expressions depending on who is staying and who is leaving:
Korean
Romanization
Meaning
안녕히 가세요
Annyeonghi gaseyo
Goodbye (said to person leaving)
안녕히 계세요
Annyeonghi gyeseyo
Goodbye (said to person staying)
잘 가요
Jal gayo
Take care / Bye (casual, to person leaving)
잘 있어요
Jal isseoyo
Take care (casual, to person staying)
또 봐요
Tto bwayo
See you again (polite)
나중에 봐요
Najunge bwayo
See you later
조심히 가세요
Josimhi gaseyo
Go safely (caring farewell)
Thank You & Apologies
Korean
Romanization
Meaning
감사합니다
Gamsahamnida
Thank you (formal)
고마워요
Gomawoyo
Thank you (polite)
고마워
Gomawo
Thanks (casual)
천만에요
Cheonmaneyo
You're welcome
괜찮아요
Gwaenchanayo
It's okay / No problem
미안해요
Mianhaeyo
Sorry (polite)
죄송합니다
Joesonghamnida
I'm very sorry (formal)
실례합니다
Sillyehamnida
Excuse me (formal)
Useful Daily Phrases
Korean
Romanization
Meaning
네
Ne
Yes
아니요
Aniyo
No
맞아요
Majayo
That's right
모르겠어요
Moreugesseoyo
I don't know
이해했어요
Ihaehaesseoyo
I understood
다시 말해 주세요
Dasi malhae juseyo
Please say that again
천천히 말해 주세요
Cheoncheonhi malhae juseyo
Please speak slowly
한국어를 조금 해요
Hangugeoreul jogeum haeyo
I speak a little Korean
영어 하세요?
Yeongeo haseyo?
Do you speak English?
화장실이 어디예요?
Hwajangsiri eodiyeyo?
Where is the bathroom?
Eating and Food Phrases
Korean
Romanization
Meaning
잘 먹겠습니다
Jal meokgesseumnida
I will eat well (before meal)
잘 먹었습니다
Jal meogeosseumnida
I ate well (after meal)
맛있어요
Masisseoyo
It's delicious
얼마예요?
Eolmayeyo?
How much is it?
주세요
Juseyo
Please give me...
하나 더 주세요
Hana deo juseyo
One more, please
Phone and Text
Korean
Romanization
Meaning
여보세요
Yeoboseyo
Hello (on the phone only)
잠깐만요
Jamkkanmanyo
Just a moment
나중에 전화할게요
Najunge jeonhwahalgeyo
I'll call you later
Pro Tips for Using Korean Greetings
Bow when greeting — a slight nod or bow shows respect, especially with formal speech levels.
Use formal speech by default when unsure — Koreans appreciate the effort.
잘 먹겠습니다 before every meal, even at a restaurant — it shows appreciation.
여보세요 is only for phone calls — never use it as a face-to-face greeting.
안녕하세요 is your Swiss army knife — it works in almost any situation with anyone you don't know.
Practice these phrases daily and you'll feel the difference in how Koreans respond to you. Start your structured Korean journey today!