안녕하세요
annyeonghaseyopolite, everyday
The standard Korean hello is 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo). Friends say 안녕 (annyeong), formal speech uses 안녕하십니까 (annyeonghasimnikka), and on the phone people say 여보세요 (yeoboseyo).
Meaning: greeting (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 안녕하세요 | annyeonghaseyo | polite, everyday |
| 안녕 | annyeong | casual |
| 안녕하십니까 | annyeonghasimnikka | very formal |
| 여보세요 | yeoboseyo | phone |
여보세요 is used only to answer or start a phone call, never face to face.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
안녕하세요 is safe with anyone. 안녕하십니까 appears in speeches, the military and news broadcasts. 안녕 is only for friends and younger people.
How do you pronounce it?
안녕하세요 is said roughly "ahn-nyeong-ha-seh-yo".
Did you know?
- 안녕 literally means peace or well-being, so 안녕하세요 asks "are you at peace?"
Examples in context
- 안녕하세요, 처음 뵙겠습니다.annyeonghaseyo, cheoeum boepgetseumnida.Hello, nice to meet you for the first time.
- 안녕, 오랜만이야!annyeong, oraenmaniya!Hi, long time no see!
- 여보세요, 민수 씨 계세요?yeoboseyo, minsu ssi gyeseyo?Hello, is Minsu there?
Example conversation
Hana meets her new colleague Mr. Park at the office entrance.
- Hana안녕하세요, 박 선생님.annyeonghaseyo, bak seonsaengnim.Hello, Mr. Park.
- Mr. Park안녕하세요. 만나서 반갑습니다.annyeonghaseyo. mannaseo bangapseumnida.Hello. Nice to meet you.
- Hana저도 반갑습니다.jeodo bangapseumnida.Nice to meet you too.
