건강하고 행복하세요
geonganghago haengbokhaseyo
건강하고 행복하세요 (geonganghago haengbokhaseyo) is the Korean way to say 'stay healthy and happy'.
This phrase is a polite wish used when saying goodbye to someone to hope for their continued well-being and happiness. It is commonly used in written correspondence, such as letters, cards or formal text messages, to close a message.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 건강하다 (to be healthy), the connective particle -고 (and) and 행복하세요 (please be happy).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 건강하고 행복하세요 is polite and suitable for addressing elders, superiors or people you are not on intimate terms with.
How does it change in a sentence?
The -세요 ending is a polite imperative/request form used here to express a wish or blessing.
How do you pronounce it?
geonganghago haengbokhaseyo
Did you know?
- While English speakers often use 'stay healthy' as a casual parting, in Korean, using this specific polite form to a superior can feel like you are giving them an instruction or a command. It is much safer to use a humble form of 'wish' if you are writing to someone of much higher status.
- The word 행복 'happiness' is a Sino-Korean word derived from Chinese characters. In ancient texts, it specifically referred to 'good fortune' or 'luck' rather than the internal emotional state of happiness that the English word describes today.
- When saying this phrase in person, Koreans may accompany the wish with a slight bow. The depth of the bow depends on the social hierarchy, as the verbal politeness of -세요 must be matched by a physical gesture of respect.
Examples in context
- 사장님, 건강하고 행복하세요.Boss, stay healthy and happy.
- 여러분, 건강하고 행복하게 지내세요!Everyone, stay healthy and happy!
- 오늘도 건강하고 행복한 하루 되세요.Have a healthy and happy day.
- 항상 건강하고 행복하세요.hangsang geon-ganghago haengbokhaseyo.Please always stay healthy and happy.
- 올 한 해도 건강하고 행복하세요.ol han hae-do geon-ganghago haengbokhaseyo.Please stay healthy and happy this year as well.
- 가족 모두 건강하고 행복하세요.gajok modu geon-ganghago haengbokhaseyo.I wish your whole family stay healthy and happy.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo is saying goodbye to Minji at a community center.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo민지 씨, 오늘 정말 즐거웠어요.Minji-ssi, oneul jeongmal jeulgeowosseoyo.Minji, I really enjoyed today.
- 민지 Min-ji저도요, 현우 씨도 조심히 가세요.Jeodo-yo, Hyunwoo-ssi-do joshim-hi gaseyo.Me too, please get home safely, Hyunwoo.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 항상 건강하고 행복하세요.Ne, hangsang geon-ganghago haengbokhaseyo.Yes, please always stay healthy and happy.
- 민지 Min-ji감사합니다, 다음에 또 봬요.Gamsahamnida, da-eume tto bwaeyo.Thank you, see you again next time.
