What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 또 (again) and 봐요 (see/look) in a polite form.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can adjust the level of formality by changing the ending: dropping the 요 to create the informal 또 봐, or using the honorific verb to create the highly formal 또 뵙겠습니다.
How do you pronounce it?
tto bwayo
When do people say it?
In Korean, the specific way you say goodbye often depends on who is moving. For example, if you are the one staying behind while the other person is leaving, you might use 안녕히 가세요 (go in peace). If you want to say "see you" in a formal way by wishing someone well as they depart, you can use 잘 가세요 (go well). Other parting options include the formal 다음에 뵙겠습니다 (I will see you next time) or the very informal 안녕 (bye), which is versatile and can mean both hello and goodbye. Among close friends, you might use the casual 잘 가 (see you) or 다음에 보자 (let's meet next time).
Did you know?
- The word 또 is traced back to Old Korean 又都 and was recorded as early as 1447 in the Yongbi eocheon'ga.
- The highly formal 또 뵙겠습니다 uses a special humble verb 뵙다 instead of 보다 to show extreme respect to the other person.
- When saying goodbye, Koreans use different phrases based on who is leaving and who is staying, a distinction not found in English 'see you'.
Examples in context
- 내일 또 봐요.naeil tto bwayo.See you again tomorrow.
- 우리 다음에 또 봐요.uri daeume tto bwayo.Let's see each other again next time.
- 조심히 가고 또 봐요.josimhi gago tto bwayo.Get home safely and see you later.
Example conversation
Jieun and Hyeonu are saying goodbye after a coffee date.
- 지은 Ji-eun오늘 정말 즐거웠어요.oneul jeongmal jeulgeowosseoyo.I had a great time today.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo저도요. 조심히 들어가세요.jeodoyo. josimhi deureogaseyo.Me too. Get home safely.
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 그럼 또 봐요!ne, geureom tto bwayo!Yes, see you later then!
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 또 봐요!ne, tto bwayo!Yes, see you!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 또, CC BY-SA 4.0.
