안녕히 계세요
annyeonghi gyeseyo[a̠nɲʌ̹ŋʝi kje̞sʰe̞jo]
The Korean phrase for goodbye formally is 안녕히 계세요 (annyeonghi gyeseyo).
안녕히 계세요 is used specifically when you are the one leaving and the person you are speaking to is staying behind.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down into the adverb 안녕히, which literally means 'peacefully' or 'in peace' and the verb 계세요, which is the honorific imperative form of 'to stay', meaning 'please stay'.
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction based on who is moving. Use 안녕히 계세요 when you are leaving and the other person stays. If the other person is the one leaving, you should use 안녕히 가세요 (which means 'Go peacefully') or the common formal phrase 잘 가세요 (which means 'Go well').
How do you pronounce it?
annyeonghi gyeseyo
Did you know?
- Korean has several levels of formality, and 안녕히 계세요 is so formal that using it with a close friend would sound like a joke or a sudden act of coldness.
- Because the phrase uses the honorific verb 계세요, you should never use it toward someone younger than you or someone of lower social status.
- In Korea, it is common to accompany these formal goodbyes with a polite bow, where the depth of the bow indicates the level of respect for the listener.
Examples in context
- 안녕히 계세요.annyeonghi gyeseyo.Goodbye.
- 먼저 가보겠습니다. 안녕히 계세요.meonjeo gabogessseumnida. annyeonghi gyeseyo.I will leave first. Goodbye.
Example conversation
Jihoon is leaving Jieun's office after a meeting.
- 지훈 Ji-hun지은 씨, 오늘 정말 고생하셨어요.Jieun ssi, oneul jeongmal gosaenghasyeosseoyo.Jieun, you worked very hard today.
- 지은 Ji-eun아니에요, 지훈 씨도 고생 많으셨어요.anieyo, Jihoon ssi do gosaeng maneusyeosseoyo.No, you worked hard too, Jihoon.
- 지훈 Ji-hun그럼 저는 이만 가볼게요. 안녕히 계세요.geureom jeonun iman gabolgeyo. annyeonghi gyeseyo.Then I will be going now. Goodbye.
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 조심히 들어가세요.ne, josimhi deureogaseyo.Yes, get home safely.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 안녕히 계세요, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
