건강하세요
geonganghaseyo
The English phrase "stay healthy" is translated into Korean as 건강하세요 (geonganghaseyo).
The phrase is used to express a wish that someone remains in good health.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun 건강 (health) and the verb 하다 (to do/to be), combined with the honorific imperative ending -세요.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
건강하세요 is a polite way to wish someone good health, making it suitable for speaking to elders or people you are not close with.
How do you pronounce it?
geonganghaseyo
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use the imperative 건강해라 when speaking to elders. This can sound like a command or a condescending order rather than a polite wish.
Did you know?
- Strictly speaking, some linguists argue that 건강하세요 is grammatically incorrect because you cannot 'command' someone to be healthy. However, it is so widely used that it is now accepted as standard social Korean.
- In Korea, wishing someone health is often paired with a bow. The depth of the bow changes based on the social rank of the person you are wishing 건강하세요 to.
- Koreans frequently use health wishes as a way to say 'goodbye' to elderly relatives, making 건강하세요 function more like a parting greeting than a medical wish.
Examples in context
- 건강하게 지내세요Stay healthy
- 건강을 유지하세요Maintain your health
- 건강 조심해Take care of your health
- 올해 항상 건강하세요.ol-hae hang-sang geon-gang-ha-se-yo.Please stay healthy all through this year.
- 가족 모두 건강하세요.ga-jok mo-du geon-gang-ha-se-yo.Please all stay healthy, your whole family.
- 항상 건강하세요, 선생님.hang-sang geon-gang-ha-se-yo, seon-saeng-nim.Please stay healthy always, teacher.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo is saying goodbye to Subin after a meeting.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo이제 가볼게요. 건강하세요.ije gabolgeyo. geonganghaseyo.I'll be going now. Stay healthy.
- 수빈 Su-bin고마워요. 현우 씨도 건강하세요.gomawoyo. hyeonu ssido geonganghaseyo.Thank you. You stay healthy too, Hyunwoo.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo다음에 또 봐요.daeume tto bwayo.See you again next time.
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 조심히 가세요.ne, josimhi gaseyo.Yes, get home safely.
