안녕하십니까
annyeonghasimnikka?[a̠nɲʌ̹ŋɦa̠ɕʰimnik͈a̠]
The English phrase "hello respectfully" is translated into Korean as 안녕하십니까 (annyeonghasimnikka?).
안녕하십니까 is a highly formal greeting used in professional settings, such as making a formal speech, presenting in a business meeting or greeting customers in a service environment. It is also commonly used in news broadcasts or when addressing someone of much higher status.
Which one should you use?
While 안녕하세요 is the standard polite way to say hello in everyday social situations, 안녕하십니까 is much more formal and respectful. 안녕하세요 is a polite version used when meeting someone for the first time, whereas 안녕하십니까 is reserved for the highest levels of formality.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
안녕하십니까 represents the highest level of formal greeting. It is used in professional or highly respectful contexts. In contrast, 안녕하세요 is the standard polite form used for general social interactions.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase ends with the question particle '-니까', which makes the literal structure a question of "Are you at peace?" Because of this structure, the phrase is often spoken with a rising intonation.
How do you pronounce it?
annyeonghasimnikka?
Did you know?
- In a professional setting, saying 안녕하십니까 is often accompanied by a 45-degree bow. The deeper the bow, the more respect is conveyed to the person being greeted.
- The phrase is a cornerstone of 'hasipsioche', the highest level of the Korean speech hierarchy, used to clearly establish a professional distance between speakers.
- In the Korean military, 안녕하십니까 is the mandatory standard for greeting superiors. Using the more common 안녕하세요 in this environment could be seen as a breach of discipline.
Example conversation
Do-hyeon arrives at a formal business meeting to greet Seo-yeon.
- 도현 Do-hyeon안녕하십니까, 서연 씨.annipseumnikka, Seoyeon-ssi.Hello, Ms. Seo-yeon.
- 서연 Seo-yeon안녕하십니까, 도현 씨. 어서 오세요.annipseumnikka, Do-hyeon-ssi. eoseo oseyo.Hello, Mr. Do-hyeon. Please, come in.
- 도현 Do-hyeon만나서 반갑습니다.mannaseo bangapseumnida.It is a pleasure to meet you.
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 저도 반갑습니다.ne, jeodo bangapseumnida.Yes, it is a pleasure to meet you too.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 안녕하십니까, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
