Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 안녕 | annyeong | [a̠nɲʌ̹ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 잘 있어 | jal isseo | [t͡ɕa̠ɭ is͈ʌ̹] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | informal |
| 잘 가 | jal ga | [t͡ɕa̠ɭ ka̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | informal |
| 빠이빠이 | ppaippai | [p͈a̠ip͈a̠i] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The word 안녕 is a casual way to say bye. Depending on the context of your encounter, it is a versatile term that can mean both 'hi' and 'bye'.
What does it mean word for word?
When using the informal phrase 잘 가, it literally means 'go well'. This is used when the speaker is staying and the other person is leaving. When using the informal phrase 잘 있어, it literally means 'stay well'.
Which one should you use?
While 안녕 can mean both hi and bye, you can use 잘 가 specifically when the other person is departing or 잘 있어 when you are the one departing and the other person is staying.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrases 잘 가 and 잘 있어 are also informal. 빠이빠이 is a slang version based on a loanword that is often used in a cute or very casual manner. For a polite alternative, 안녕히 가세요 means 'Please go safely.'
How do you pronounce it?
annyeong
Did you know?
- In highly formal settings, it is common to say goodbye to a superior by staying in a bow until the superior has physically left the room or disappeared from view.
- Because 안녕 means 'peace', it was historically used more as a question to ask if someone was in peace rather than a casual greeting.
- The casual 'hi' and 'bye' in Korean, 안녕, are actually composed of two characters that mean 'peace' and 'tranquility'. It is more like wishing someone 'peace' than simply saying 'bye'.
Examples in context
- 안녕!Bye!This example shows how to use 안녕.Tatoeba #5548647 by YUJIHEE, translation #647456 by Hans07
- 안녕, 내일 봐!annyeong, naeil bwa!Bye, see you tomorrow!
- 나 먼저 갈게, 안녕.na meonjeo galge, annyeong.I'm leaving first, bye.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dohyun and Jieun are finishing their study session at a cafe.
- 도현 Do-hyeon지은아, 나 이제 가야 돼.Ji-eun-a, na i-je ga-ya dwae.Jieun, I have to go now.
- 지은 Ji-eun그래, 도현아. 조심해서 가.geu-rae, Do-hyeon-a. jo-sim-hae-seo ga.Okay, Dohyun. Get home safely.
- 도현 Do-hyeon응, 내일 봐. 안녕!eung, nae-il bwa. an-nyeong!Yeah, see you tomorrow. Bye!
- 지은 Ji-eun응, 안녕!eung, an-nyeong!Yeah, bye!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bye” translations and entries 안녕, 잘 있어, 잘 가, 빠이빠이, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 가, 안녕, 잘, 잘 가, 잘 있어, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
