What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of 안녕, which means "hi" or "peace" and 얘들아, which is the vocative form of 얘 (meaning "this kid" or "this person") combined with the plural suffix -들아 (meaning "hey" or "you guys").
Which one should you use?
While the English term "guys" is often gender-neutral, the Korean 얘들아 is also used for any group of peers regardless of gender. However, it remains strictly casual in tone.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
안녕 얘들아 is strictly informal. It should only be used with friends of the same age or with younger people. For more polite or formal situations, you might use 안녕하세요 여러분 (Hello everyone) or 여러분 안녕하십니까? (How do you do, everyone?) in professional or official settings. A relaxed and casual alternative among friends is 여러분 안녕.
How does it change in a sentence?
The suffix -들아 is used to address a group of people in an informal, vocative way.
How do you pronounce it?
annyeong yaedeura
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using 안녕 얘들아 when addressing people older than you or in a professional setting, as the phrase is highly casual and can be perceived as rude.
Did you know?
- The word 얘 in 얘들아 is actually a contraction of 이 아이, which literally means 'this child'.
- Using 얘들아 to address a group of people who are even one year older than you can be interpreted as a significant social insult.
- The root of 안녕 is composed of two Chinese characters that both mean 'peace', effectively making the greeting a wish for 'peace and peace'.
Examples in context
- 안녕하세요 여러분, 반갑습니다!Hello guys, nice to meet you!
- 여러분 안녕, 오랜만이야!Hello guys, long time no see!
- 안녕 얘들아, 뭐 해?annyeong yaedeura, mwo hae?Hello guys, what are you doing?
- 안녕 얘들아, 오랜만이야.annyeong yaedeura, oraenmaniya.Hello guys, it's been a long time.
- 안녕 얘들아, 다들 잘 있었어?annyeong yaedeura, dadeul jal isseosseo?Hello guys, have you all been well?
Example conversation
Dohyun arrives at a cafe to meet his friends.
- 도현 Do-hyeon안녕 얘들아! 많이 기다렸지?Annyeong yaedeura! Mani gidaryeotji?Hello guys! Did you wait long?
- 지은 Ji-eun아니, 우리도 방금 왔어.Ani, urido banggeum wasseo.No, we just got here too.
- 도현 Do-hyeon다행이다. 뭐 마시고 있어?Dahaeng-ida. Mwo masigo isseo?That's a relief. What are you drinking?
- 지은 Ji-eun우리는 다 아이스 아메리카노야.Urineun da aiseu amerikano-ya.We are all having iced americanos.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 안녕, CC BY-SA 4.0.
