안녕히 계세요
annyeonghi gyeseyo[a̠nɲʌ̹ŋʝi kje̞sʰe̞jo]
To say "stay in peace" in Korean, use 안녕히 계세요 (annyeonghi gyeseyo).
안녕히 계세요 is a polite way to say goodbye to someone who is staying behind while you are the one departing. In a more casual setting, you can simply use 안녕 to mean "bye" or "goodbye."
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 안녕히, meaning "peacefully" or "well" and 계세요, which means "please stay" or "please be present."
Which one should you use?
It is important to choose the correct form based on who is moving. Use 안녕히 계세요 when you are leaving and the other person is staying. In contrast, use 안녕히 가세요 when the other person is leaving and you are the one staying.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
안녕히 계세요 is a polite, standard way to address someone older or someone in a higher social position when you are departing. You may also use 안녕히 계셔요, which is a slightly less formal but still polite variation.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 안녕히 계셔요 serves as a slightly less formal variation of 안녕히 계세요 while remaining polite.
How do you pronounce it?
annyeonghi gyeseyo
Did you know?
- In Korean culture, 안녕 was historically used as a way to ensure the other person had survived the night without illness or disaster.
- The word 안녕 (peace) is part of the greeting 안녕하세요, which means 'Are you at peace?' This means that instead of asking 'How are you?', Koreans are literally asking if your state of being is stable and tranquil.
- While 안녕히 계세요 is for those staying, if both people are leaving at the same time, they both say 안녕히 가세요, essentially telling each other to 'go in peace'.
Examples in context
- 안녕, 잘 다녀와.Bye, have a safe trip.
- 안녕히 계세요.annyeonghi gyeseyo.Stay in peace.
- 선생님, 안녕히 계세요.seonsaengnim, annyeonghi gyeseyo.Goodbye, teacher.
- 먼저 가겠습니다. 안녕히 계세요.meonjeo gasegess-eumnida. annyeonghi gyeseyo.I will leave first. Goodbye.
Example conversation
Minjun is leaving a cafe where Jieun is working.
- 민준 Min-jun저 이제 가볼게요.jeo ije gabolgeyo.I'll be going now.
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 조심히 가세요.ne, josimhi gaseyo.Yes, go safely.
- 민준 Min-jun지은 씨, 안녕히 계세요.jieun ssi, annyeonghi gyeseyo.Jieun, stay in peace.
- 지은 Ji-eun내일 만나요!naeil mannayo!See you tomorrow!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 안녕히 계세요, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
