What does it mean word for word?
The second part of the phrase, 좋은 하루 보내세요, breaks down into 좋은 (good), 하루 (day) and 보내세요 (spend/pass) in a polite imperative form.
Which one should you use?
While 좋은 하루 보내세요 (spend a good day) is the grammatically standard way to express this, you may often hear the colloquial version 좋은 하루 되세요 (be a good day). Some purists consider the latter incorrect because a person cannot literally become a day.
How does it change in a sentence?
To change the level of politeness in the second part of the phrase, you can modify the ending. Dropping the polite ending -세요 results in the informal 좋은 하루 보내. Replacing -세요 with the formal -십시오 creates the highly formal 좋은 하루 보내십시오. Note that 안녕 is the informal version of the greeting 안녕하세요.
How do you pronounce it?
Annyeonghaseyo, joeun haru bonaeseyo
Did you know?
- The word 'hello', 안녕하세요, literally translates to 'Are you at peace?' or 'Are you well?' It is rooted in the concept of peace rather than a simple social greeting.
- In Korea, it is common to bow your head or upper body while saying 안녕하세요 to show respect to the other person.
- The informal 안녕 is unique because it is used both when arriving and when leaving, meaning it functions as both 'hello' and 'goodbye' among close friends.
Examples in context
- 안녕하세요. 좋은 하루 되세요.Hello. Have a good day.
- 좋은 아침이에요. 즐거운 하루 되세요.Good morning. Have a pleasant day.
- 안녕하세요. 잘 지내셨어요? 좋은 하루 되세요.Hello. How have you been? Have a good day.
- 안녕! 좋은 하루 되렴.Hi! Have a good day.
- 안녕! 잘 지냈어? 좋은 하루 되렴.Hi! How have you been? Have a good day.
- 선생님, 안녕하세요, 좋은 하루 보내세요.seonsaengnim, annyeonghaseyo, joeun haru bonaeseyo.Teacher, hello, have a good day.
Example conversation
Dohyun is leaving a small cafe where Minji works.
- 도현 Do-hyeon안녕하세요, 좋은 하루 보내세요.annyeonghaseyo, joeun haru bonaeseyo.Hello, have a good day.
- 민지 Min-ji네, 감사합니다. 도현 씨도 좋은 하루 보내세요!ne, gamsahamnida. dohyun ssi-do joeun haru bonaeseyo!Yes, thank you. Have a good day too, Dohyun!
- 도현 Do-hyeon감사합니다. 다음에 또 올게요.gamsahamnida. daeume tto olgeyo.Thank you. I will come again.
- 민지 Min-ji네, 조심히 가세요.ne, josimhi gaseyo.Yes, please go safely.
