잘 다녀오세요
jal danyeo-oseyo
In Korean, "have a safe trip" is expressed as 잘 다녀오세요 (jal danyeo-oseyo).
This phrase is used to wish someone a safe journey when they are leaving for a trip. It is suitable for both short trips and long journeys, provided that the person is expected to return.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means "go and come back well".
Which one should you use?
While 잘 다녀오세요 focuses on the person returning safely, the alternative phrase 조심히 가세요 focuses on the act of traveling carefully or safely in the immediate moment.
How does it change in a sentence?
The informal version used specifically with friends or younger people is 잘 다녀와.
How do you pronounce it?
jal danyeo-oseyo
Did you know?
- The phrase 잘 다녀오세요 can be used for a simple trip to the grocery store or a years-long assignment abroad. It is the standard way to say goodbye to a spouse or child leaving for work or school every morning.
- Because 잘 다녀오세요 literally means 'go and come back well', it is quite strange to use it if you are also leaving at the same time. If both people are departing, you would use different expressions for each person.
- In Korean culture, the response to 잘 다녀오세요 is typically 다녀오겠습니다, which means 'I will go and come back'.
Examples in context
- 안전한 여행 되세요! 꼭 잘 다녀오세요.Have a safe trip! Please come back safely.
- 잘 다녀오세요.jal danyeo-oseyo.Have a safe trip.
- 여행 잘 다녀오세요.yeohaeng jal danyeo-oseyo.Have a nice trip.
- 조심히 잘 다녀오세요.joshimi jal danyeo-oseyo.Please go and come back safely.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo is leaving for a vacation and Minji sees him off.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo민지 씨, 저 이제 출발해요.Minji-ssi, jeo ije chulbal-haeyo.Minji, I am leaving now.
- 민지 Min-ji네, 현우 씨, 잘 다녀오세요.Ne, Hyunwoo-ssi, jal danyeo-oseyo.Okay, Hyunwoo, have a safe trip.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo고마워요. 다녀와서 연락할게요.Gomawoyo. danyeowaseo yeollak-halgeyo.Thank you. I will contact you when I get back.
- 민지 Min-ji네, 즐거운 여행 되세요!Ne, jeulgeoun yeohaeng doeseyo!Yes, have a wonderful trip!
