선생님 안녕히 계세요
seonsaengnim annyeonghi gyeseyo
The English phrase "goodbye teacher" is translated into Korean as 선생님 안녕히 계세요 (seonsaengnim annyeonghi gyeseyo).
This phrase is a polite farewell used by a student to a teacher. It is specifically used when the student is the one leaving the location and the teacher is staying behind.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 선생님 (teacher), 안녕히 (peacefully/well) and 계세요 (please stay).
Which one should you use?
The choice of verb depends on who is moving. Use 선생님 안녕히 계세요 if you are the one departing and the teacher remains. Use 선생님 안녕히 가세요 if the teacher is the one leaving.
How do you pronounce it?
seonsaengnim annyeonghi gyeseyo
Did you know?
- The word 선생님 (seonsaengnim) contains a literal meaning of 'born first', which refers to the teacher being born before the student in terms of experience and wisdom.
- The word 선생님 is used as a polite title for strangers or elders, even if they have never taught a class in their lives.
- The honorific particle -님 (-nim) in 선생님 is so significant that it is often used for people in high social positions or even for deities, not just for professional teachers.
Examples in context
- Teacher's Name님, 정말 감사했습니다.Thank you so much, Teacher's Name.
- 다들 선생님 안녕히 계세요 하고 인사해요.dadeul seonsaengnim annyeonghi gyeseyo hago insahaeyo.Everyone says, "Goodbye, teacher."
Example conversation
A student is leaving the classroom after an after-school lesson.
- 도현 Do-hyeon선생님, 안녕히 계세요.seonsaengnim, annyeonghi gyeseyo.Goodbye, teacher.
- 서연 Seo-yeon그래, 도현아. 조심해서 가렴.geurae, dohyun-a. josimhaeseo garyeom.Okay, Dohyeon. Get home safely.
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 서연 선생님 안녕히 계세요!ne, seoyeon seonsaengnim annyeonghi gyeseyo!Yes, goodbye, teacher Seoyeon!
- 서연 Seo-yeon그래, 다음에 보자.geurae, daeume boja.Okay, see you next time.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 선생님, 안녕히, CC BY-SA 4.0.
