안녕
annyeongcasual
The Korean word for "hi" is 안녕 (annyeong), and it comes from Chinese-based characters meaning "peace" and "calm". The same word is used to say bye between close friends. It is also called 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo).
Meaning: casual greeting (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 안녕 | annyeong | casual |
| 안녕하세요 | annyeonghaseyo | polite |
Say 안녕 only to friends and people younger than you. Use 안녕하세요 with everybody else.
What does it mean word for word?
안 means "calm" and 녕 means "peaceful". In 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) the ending 하세요 turns the word into a polite greeting.
Did you know?
- The same word 안녕 can mean both hello and goodbye in casual Korean.
Examples in context
- 안녕! 잘 지냈어?Annyeong! Jal jinaesseo?Hi! Have you been well?
- 안녕, 내일 보자.Annyeong, naeil boja.Bye, see you tomorrow.
Example conversation
Mi-rae greets her classmate Tae at the school gate.
- Mi-rae안녕!Annyeong!Hi!
- Tae안녕! 일찍 왔네.Annyeong! Iljjik wanne.Hi! You came early.
- Mi-rae응, 오늘 시험이야.Eung, oneul siheomiya.Yes, we have an exam today.
