What does it mean word for word?
The phrase can be broken down into its constituent parts: 저희는 means "we" but uses the humble form to show respect to the listener, and 입니다 is a formal verb meaning "am/are/is" used for identification or stating a fact.
Which one should you use?
In a professional group greeting, it is more appropriate to use 저희는 (the humble "we") rather than 우리는 (the plain or neutral "we").
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 안녕하세요, 저희는 블랙핑크입니다 uses a high level of formal politeness (하십시오체) which is suitable for public introductions and stage greetings. In contrast, an informal version is 안녕, 우리는 BLACKPINK야, where 안녕 is a casual way of saying "hello" used among friends.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 입니다 functions as a formal polite ending used to identify a subject or state a fact.
How do you pronounce it?
annyeonghaseyo, jeohuineun beullaekpingkeu-imnida
Did you know?
- In Korean pop culture, groups often create a unique 'group greeting' with a synchronized gesture or a specific catchphrase that follows the standard 안녕하세요 introduction.
- The greeting 안녕하세요 actually translates to 'Are you at peace?' or 'Are you well?', as it stems from the concept of being in a state of peace.
- If a speaker used 우리는 instead of 저희는 while addressing a crowd, it could sound unexpectedly assertive or even arrogant to a native Korean ear.
Examples in context
- 안녕하세요, 저희는 BLACKPINK입니다. 잘 부탁드립니다!Hello, we are BLACKPINK. Nice to meet you!
- 안녕, 우리는 BLACKPINK야! 같이 놀자!Hi, we are BLACKPINK! Let's hang out together!
- 안녕하세요, 저희는 블랙핑크입니다.Annyeonghaseyo, jeohuineun Beullaekpinkeuimnida.Hello, we are Blackpink.
- 안녕하세요, 저희는 블랙핑크입니다! 만나서 반가워요.Annyeonghaseyo, jeohuineun Beullaekpinkeuimnida! Mannaseo bangawoyo.Hello, we are Blackpink! Nice to meet you.
- 안녕하세요, 저희는 블랙핑크입니다. 지금 시작할게요.Annyeonghaseyo, jeohuineun Beullaekpinkeuimnida. Jigeum sijakhalgeyo.Hello, we are Blackpink. We will start now.
Example conversation
Seoyeon is pretending to be a K-pop star for Dohyun.
- 서연 Seo-yeon안녕하세요, 저희는 블랙핑크입니다!Annyeonghaseyo, jeohuineun Beulleukpingkeu-imnida!Hello, we are Blackpink!
- 도현 Do-hyeon와, 정말 멋있어요 서연 씨!Wa, jeongmal meosisseoyo Seoyeon ssi!Wow, you're really cool, Seoyeon!
- 서연 Seo-yeon감사합니다, 도현 씨.Gamsahamnida, Dohyun ssi.Thank you, Dohyun.
- 도현 Do-hyeon노래 한 곡 들려주세요.Norae han gok deullyeojuseyo.Please sing a song for me.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 안녕하세요, CC BY-SA 4.0.
