잘 가
jal ga[t͡ɕa̠ɭ ka̠]
The English phrase "see ya" can be translated to Korean as 잘 가 (jal ga).
잘 가 is an informal way to say goodbye when leaving someone. It is commonly used between close friends or acquaintances.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adverb 잘 (well) and the verb 가 (go), literally meaning "go well".
Which one should you use?
Use 잘 가 only when speaking to someone younger or of equal status. It is too casual for elders or superiors. For a polite version suitable for people you are not close with or who are slightly older, you can use 잘 가요. Additionally, while 잘 가 is used when the other person is leaving, 잘 있어 is used when you are the one leaving and the other person is staying.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is a command form, which is why it is used specifically when the other person is the one leaving.
How do you pronounce it?
jal ga
Did you know?
- The verb root 가 in this phrase is one of the oldest recorded words in the Korean language, appearing in the 'Yongbi eocheon'ga' as early as 1447.
- Because 잘 가 is a command form, using it with a stranger or a boss would sound like you are bossing them around rather than wishing them well.
- While 잘 가 means 'go well', the word 잘 is also used in other common expressions to mean 'skillfully' or 'correctly' rather than just 'well' in a general sense.
Examples in context
- 잘 가.jal ga.See ya.
- 지은아, 잘 가!Ji-eun-a, jal ga!See ya, Jieun!
- 나 먼저 갈게. 잘 가.na meon-jeo gal-ge. jal ga.I'm leaving first. See ya.
Example conversation
Minjun and Jieun are leaving a cafe after hanging out.
- 지은 Ji-eun민준아, 이제 진짜 가야 해.Min-jun-a, i-je jin-jja ga-ya hae.Minjun, I really have to go now.
- 민준 Min-jun응, 조심히 들어가. 잘 가.eung, jo-sim-hi deul-eo-ga. jal ga.Okay, get home safely. See ya.
- 지은 Ji-eun응, 내일 연락할게!eung, nae-il yeon-rak-hal-ge!Okay, I'll contact you tomorrow!
- 민준 Min-jun그래, 잘 가!geu-rae, jal ga!Sure, see ya!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 잘 가, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 가, 잘, 잘 가, CC BY-SA 4.0.
