좋은 하루 되세요
joeun haru doeseyo
To say "have a great day" in Korean, use 좋은 하루 되세요 (joeun haru doeseyo).
This phrase is used as a polite greeting when parting ways to wish someone a pleasant day. While functionally equivalent to the English "have a great day", it is most commonly used by service workers, such as cashiers, when speaking to customers or when ending a polite conversation with an acquaintance.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to "be a good day".
Which one should you use?
While 좋은 하루 되세요 focuses on the day itself being good, it serves the same purpose as the English expression used during partings.
How do you pronounce it?
joeun haru doeseyo
Did you know?
- While 'have a great day' is a common parting in English, in Korea, you are just as likely to hear wishes for someone to 'eat well' or 'go safely' instead of focusing on the day itself.
- In Korea, using 좋은 하루 되세요 can sound slightly unnatural if said to a superior, such as a boss or teacher, because it uses a polite but 'service-oriented' tone.
- While 하루 means 'day' in the sense of a 24-hour period, it is distinct from 날, which refers to a specific date or a day of the week.
Examples in context
- 식사 맛있게 하세요. 좋은 하루 되세요.Enjoy your meal. Have a good day.
- 좋은 하루 되세요.joeun haru doeseyo.Have a great day.
- 모두들 좋은 하루 되세요!modudeul joeun haru doeseyo!Have a great day, everyone!
Example conversation
Hyunwoo is leaving the office after finishing a meeting with Seoyeon.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo먼저 퇴근하겠습니다.meonjeo toegeunhagesseumnida.I'm leaving work now.
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 현우 씨도 좋은 하루 되세요.ne, Hyunwoo ssido joeun haru doeseyo.Yes, have a great day too, Hyunwoo.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo감사합니다. 내일 뵙겠습니다.gamsahamnida. naeil boepgetsseumnida.Thank you. See you tomorrow.
- 서연 Seo-yeon안녕히 가세요.annyeonghi gaseyo.Goodbye.
