Welcome! If you’re looking to learn how to say “welcome” in Korean, you’ve come to the right place. Knowing how to greet someone and make them feel welcome is an essential skill, whether you’re planning a trip to Korea or want to connect with Korean-speaking friends and colleagues. In this guide, we’ll explore both the formal and informal ways to express “welcome” in Korean, and provide you with tips, examples, and regional variations where necessary.
Table of Contents
The Formal Way to Say “Welcome” in Korean
When you want to greet someone politely or use a formal tone, the Korean word for “welcome” is “환영합니다” (hwan-yeong-ham-ni-da). Let’s break it down:
Word: 환영합니다
Pronunciation: hwan-yeong-ham-ni-da
Meaning: welcome (formal)
Here are some examples of how to use the formal greeting “환영합니다”:
- Example 1: 환영합니다! 어서오세요. (Hwan-yeong-ham-ni-da! Eo-seo-o-se-yo.) – Welcome! Please come in.
- Example 2: 여러분을 환영합니다! (Yeoreo-bun-eul hwan-yeong-ham-ni-da!) – We welcome everyone!
- Example 3: 환영합니다. 이곳은 우리의 공간입니다. (Hwan-yeong-ham-ni-da. i-got-eun u-ri-e gong-gan-ip-ni-da.) – Welcome. This is our space.
The Informal Way to Say “Welcome” in Korean
If you’re in a casual setting or want to greet friends and family, you can use the word “어서오세요” (eo-seo-o-se-yo), which also means “welcome.” Here are the details:
Word: 어서오세요
Pronunciation: eo-seo-o-se-yo
Meaning: welcome (informal)
Let’s look at some examples of how to use the informal greeting “어서오세요”:
- Example 1: 어서오세요! 커피 한 잔 드릴까요? (Eo-seo-o-se-yo! Keo-pi han jan deu-ril-kka-yo?) – Welcome! Can I offer you a cup of coffee?
- Example 2: 친구들이 어서오세요! (Chin-gu-deu-ri eo-seo-o-se-yo!) – Welcome, friends!
- Example 3: 어서오세요. 집에 들어오세요. (Eo-seo-o-se-yo. Jip-e deu-reo-o-se-yo.) – Welcome. Please come into the house.
Regional Variations
Korean language might have some regional variations, but when it comes to expressing “welcome,” the formal and informal greetings mentioned earlier are understood and used throughout Korea. However, there are certain unique phrases or local dialects that can also convey feelings of welcome.
Jeju Dialect
In the Jeju dialect, spoken in Jeju Island, the word for “welcome” is “쎄서 환영하수다” (sse-seo hwan-yeong-ha-suda). The pronunciation and meaning are slightly different.
Word: 쎄서 환영하수다
Pronunciation: sse-seo hwan-yeong-ha-suda
Meaning: welcome (Jeju dialect)
If you visit Jeju Island, using this phrase might pleasantly surprise the locals and showcase your interest in their culture.
Wrap-Up
Congratulations! You’ve learned how to say “welcome” in Korean both formally and informally. Remember, “환영합니다” (hwan-yeong-ham-ni-da) is the formal way, while “어서오세요” (eo-seo-o-se-yo) is the informal way. Practice using these phrases in various contexts to improve your Korean language skills and create a warm, welcoming atmosphere for those around you.
