또 봐요
tto bwayo
The Korean phrase for "see you again" is 또 봐요 (tto bwayo).
또 봐요 is used to say goodbye when you expect to meet the person again. It feels most natural when the time of the next meeting is somewhat certain or expected, such as seeing a classmate or colleague later.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 또 (again) and 봐요 (see/meet in a polite form).
Which one should you use?
Unlike the English 'goodbye', 또 봐요 specifically implies a future encounter, whereas 안녕 can mean both hello and goodbye.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can adjust the level of formality by changing the verb or the ending. Dropping the 요 at the end makes the phrase informal, used with friends or people younger than you. Using the humble verb 뵙다 instead of 보다 makes the phrase much more formal and respectful, suitable for elders or superiors, to say 또 뵙겠습니다.
How do you pronounce it?
tto bwayo
Did you know?
- When saying goodbye to someone who is staying while you leave, you must use a different phrase than when the other person is leaving.
- The word 또 for 'again' was recorded as early as 1447 in the 용비어천가, one of the first works written in the Korean alphabet.
- In casual settings, 또 봐 is often accompanied by a small wave or a nod, but rarely a hug or a kiss on the cheek.
Examples in context
- 또 보자!Tto boja!
- 응, 또 봐!Eung, tto bwa!
- 우리 내일 또 봐요.uri naeil tto bwayo.Let's see each other again tomorrow.
- 네, 다음에 또 봐요.ne, da-eume tto bwayo.Yes, see you again next time.
- 조심히 가고 또 봐요.josimhi gago tto bwayo.Go home safely and see you again.
Example conversation
Dohyun and Jieun are parting ways after a meal.
- 도현 Do-hyeon오늘 정말 즐거웠어요.oneul jeongmal jeulgeowosseoyo.I had a really great time today.
- 지은 Ji-eun저도요. 이제 가야겠어요.jeodoyo. ije gayagesseoyo.Me too. I should go now.
- 도현 Do-hyeon그럼 다음에 또 봐요.geureom da-eume tto bwayo.Then, see you again next time.
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 잘 가요!ne, jal gayo!Yes, goodbye!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 또, CC BY-SA 4.0.
