환영합니다
hwanyeonghamnida
The phrase "hello and welcome" translates to Korean as 환영합니다 (hwanyeonghamnida).
This phrase is a greeting used to welcome someone to a place or an event. While the English expression often includes a "hello," the Korean version 환영합니다 focuses specifically on the act of welcoming and is often used as a standalone greeting for arrivals.
What does it mean word for word?
The expression is built from the noun 환영, which means "welcome".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
환영합니다 is the formal version used in public announcements, broadcasts or when addressing a crowd.
How do you pronounce it?
hwanyeonghamnida
Did you know?
- The suffix -합니다 makes this a 'high' formal style. If you were welcoming a close friend to your home, using 환영합니다 would actually sound jokingly stiff or even sarcastic due to its extreme politeness.
- The root 환영 (welcome) is composed of characters meaning 'to call' and 'to receive'. This implies that welcoming is an active process of summoning someone into a space.
- In many formal Korean settings, the physical act of bowing is just as important as saying 환영합니다. Saying the words while standing perfectly still with hands at your sides might feel incomplete or cold to a local.
Examples in context
- 우리 모임에 오신 것을 환영합니다.uri moim-e osin geoseul hwanyeong-hamnida.Welcome to our gathering.
- 한국에 오신 것을 진심으로 환영합니다.hanguk-e osin geoseul jinsimeuro hwanyeong-hamnida.I sincerely welcome you to Korea.
- 새로운 멤버를 환영합니다!saeroun membeoreul hwanyeong-hamnida!Welcome, new member!
Example conversation
Subin is welcoming Minjun to her new office.
- 수빈 Su-bin민준 씨, 사무실에 오신 것을 환영합니다.Minjun ssi, samusire osin geoseul hwan-yeong-hamnida.Minjun, welcome to the office.
- 민준 Min-jun초대해 주셔서 감사합니다, 수빈 씨.chodaehae jusyeoseo gamsahamnida, Subin ssi.Thank you for inviting me, Subin.
- 수빈 Su-bin여기 앉으세요. 차 한 잔 드릴게요.yeogi an-jeuseyo. cha han jan deurilgeyo.Please sit here. I'll give you a cup of tea.
- 민준 Min-jun정말 친절하시네요. 고맙습니다.jeongmal chinjeolhasineyo. gomapsumnida.You are very kind. Thank you.
