처음 뵙겠습니다
cheo'eum boepgetseumnida[t͡ɕʰʌ̹ɯm pwe̞(ː)p̚k͈e̞ss͈ɯmnida̠]
The Korean phrase for "how do you do" is 처음 뵙겠습니다 (cheo'eum boepgetseumnida).
처음 뵙겠습니다 is used specifically during an initial introduction. It is not used for general greetings like "hello" once a relationship has been established.
Meaning: Phrase: how do you do (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means "I am seeing you for the first time".
Which one should you use?
While 안녕하세요 is a general greeting used at any time, 처음 뵙겠습니다 is reserved strictly for the first time you meet someone.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
처음 뵙겠습니다 is a highly formal and polite way to greet someone you are meeting for the very first time. Other formal options include 안녕하십니까, which is a polite way to greet someone you are meeting for the first time and 만나서 반갑습니다, a formal way to express "Nice to meet you".
How do you pronounce it?
cheo'eum boepgetseumnida
Did you know?
- If you use 처음 뵙겠습니다 with someone you have already met before, it can sound unintentionally sarcastic or indicate that you have completely forgotten them.
- In professional Korean settings, 처음 뵙겠습니다 is often followed immediately by the exchange of business cards, which are handed and received with both hands.
- Unlike the English 'how do you do', which is a question, 처음 뵙겠습니다 is a statement. It does not require an answer or a question in return.
Examples in context
- 처음 뵙겠습니다.cheoeum boepgetseumnida.How do you do.
- 처음 뵙겠습니다, 선생님.cheoeum boepgetseumnida, seonsaengnim.How do you do, teacher.
- 처음 뵙겠습니다. 잘 부탁드립니다.cheoeum boepgetseumnida. jal butakdeurimnida.How do you do. Please be kind to me.
Example conversation
Minjun meets Minji for the first time at a business event.
- 민준 Min-jun처음 뵙겠습니다, 민지 씨.cheoeum boepgetseumnida, Minji ssi.How do you do, Minji.
- 민지 Min-ji처음 뵙겠습니다, 민준 씨.cheoeum boepgetseumnida, Minjun ssi.How do you do, Minjun.
- 민준 Min-jun만나서 정말 반갑습니다.mannaseo jeongmal bangapseumnida.It is a pleasure to meet you.
- 민지 Min-ji저도 만나서 반가워요.jeodo mannaseo bangawoyo.Nice to meet you too.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 처음 뵙겠습니다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
