What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 잘, meaning 'well' or 'properly' and 지내세요, which is the polite imperative form of the verb '지내다' (to spend time or to live/get along).
Which one should you use?
While 잘 지내세요 is the standard polite form, you can use 잘 지내십시오 for a highly formal version suitable for professional settings or addressing someone of much higher social status. For more specific wishes, 건강하게 지내세요 means 'Please stay well/healthy', while 건강하게 계세요 is used specifically when the person you are addressing is staying at a particular place. If you want to focus on health specifically, 몸조심하세요 means 'Please take care of your health'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Korean, the level of politeness changes by adjusting the verb ending. Dropping the polite ending '-세요' from 잘 지내세요 results in the informal version 잘 지내, which should only be used with close friends or people younger than you.
How do you pronounce it?
jal jinaeseyo
Did you know?
- The phrase 잘 지내세요 can be used as a question to ask 'How have you been?' simply by raising the intonation at the end of the sentence.
- The word 잘 is actually thought by some to be an abbreviation of the native Korean word 자루, which historically referred to a container or a unit of measurement.
- While 잘 지내세요 is a general wish, Koreans often use more specific wishes for 'staying well' based on the season, such as mentioning the cold in winter or the heat in summer.
Examples in context
- 정수야, 건강하게 지내Jeong-su, stay well/healthy.
- 연아야, 몸조심해Yeon-a, take care of yourself.
- 건강하게 잘 지내세요.geonganghage jal jinaeseyo.Please stay well and healthy.
Example conversation
Minjun and Subin are saying goodbye after a brief meeting.
- 민준 Min-jun오늘 만나서 정말 반가웠어요.oneul mannaseo jeongmal banga-wosseoyo.It was really nice to see you today.
- 수빈 Su-bin저도 정말 즐거운 시간이었어요.jeodo jeongmal jeulgeoun siganieosseoyo.I had a wonderful time too.
- 민준 Min-jun다음에 또 만나요. 잘 지내세요.da-eume tto mannayo. jal jinaeseyo.See you again next time. Stay well.
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 민준 씨도 잘 지내세요.ne, minjun ssi-do jal jinaeseyo.Yes, stay well too, Minjun.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 잘, CC BY-SA 4.0.
