What does it mean word for word?
The phrase contains 여러분, which literally means "everyone" or "you all" in a respectful manner. This part of the phrase serves to identify the group being addressed.
Which one should you use?
While 여러분, 안녕하세요! is a polite way to greet a group of strangers or colleagues, you might use 안녕, 얘들아! to say "hi, guys!" to close friends or children. For even higher levels of formality than the default, you can use 여러분 안녕하십니까.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
여러분, 안녕하세요! is in a polite register, making it suitable for addressing a group in a public setting, a classroom or a meeting. For a more formal approach, use 여러분 안녕하십니까, whereas 여러분 안녕 is an informal way to greet everyone.
How does it change in a sentence?
The term 여러분 functions as a noun that can be used as a vocative to address a group directly at the beginning of a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
yeoreobun, annyeonghaseyo!
Did you know?
- The greeting 안녕하세요 is not just a hello, but a wish for peace. It stems from the verb 안녕하다, which asks if you are 'peaceful' or 'well'.
- Using the informal 안녕, 얘들아! to a group of people you have just met would be considered quite shocking. In Korean culture, the social hierarchy is so strict that jumping to this version of 'hi' can seem rude rather than friendly.
- In a formal presentation, a speaker may omit the greeting entirely and start with only 여러분 to command the room's attention before beginning their speech.
Examples in context
- 안녕하세요, 여러분!Hi, everyone!
- 여러분 안녕하십니까?Hello, everyone!
- 여러분 안녕, 잘 지내셨어요?Hi, everyone, how have you been?
Example conversation
Hyunwoo enters a small classroom and greets his classmates.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo여러분, 안녕하세요!yeoreobun, annyeonghaseyo!Hi, everyone!
- 민지 Min-ji현우 씨, 안녕하세요!Hyunwoo ssi, annyeonghaseyo!Hi, Hyunwoo!
- 현우 Hyeon-woo오늘 다들 반가워요.oneul dadeul bangawoyo.It is good to see you all today.
- 민지 Min-ji네, 현우 씨도 반가워요.ne, Hyunwoo ssido bangawoyo.Yes, it is good to see you too, Hyunwoo.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 안녕하세요, 여러분, CC BY-SA 4.0.
