Korean Greetings: Essential Phrases and Conversation Examples

 

Learning a few basic Korean phrases can go a long way in making connections and showing respect while traveling or interacting with Korean speakers.

 

Here are some sample dialogues to get you started.

 

Dialogue Examples of Korean Greetings

 

 

 

Set 1: Casual Encounter

• Person A: 안녕! (annyeong!)
  • Hi!
• Person B: 응, 안녕! (eung, annyeong!)
  • Yeah, hi!
• Person A: 잘 지냈어? (jal jinaesseo?)
  • How have you been? (informal)
• Person B: 응, 너는? (eung, neoneun?)
  • Good, you? (informal)

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Set 2: Formal Introduction

• Person A: 안녕하세요. (annyeonghaseyo.)
  • Hello.
• Person B: 안녕하세요. (annyeonghaseyo.)
  • Hello.
• Person A: 처음 뵙겠습니다. 제 이름은 [이름]입니다. (cheoeum boepgetseumnida. je ireumeun [ireum]imnida.)
  • Nice to meet you. My name is [Name].
• Person B: 처음 뵙겠습니다. 저는 [이름]입니다. (cheoeum boepgetseumnida. jeoneun [ireum]imnida.)
  • Nice to meet you. I am [Name].

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Set 3: Asking for Help

• Person A: 저기요, 죄송합니다. (jeogiyo, joesonghamnida.)
  • Excuse me, sorry.
• Person B: 네, 무슨 일이세요? (ne, museun iriseyyo?)
  • Yes, how can I help you?
• Person A: 길을 잃었어요. 도와주실 수 있나요? (gireul ireosseoyo. dowajusil su innayo?)
  • I'm lost. Could you help me?
• Person B: 네, 물론이죠. 어디 가세요? (ne, mullonijyo. eodi gaseyo?)
  • Yes, of course. Where are you headed?

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Set 4: At a Café

• Person A: 안녕하세요. 주문하시겠어요? (Annyeonghaseyo. Jumunhasigesseoyo?)
  • Hello. Would you like to order?
• Person B: 네, 아이스 아메리카노 한 잔 주세요. (Ne, aiseu amerikano han jan juseyo.)
  • Yes, I'd like an iced Americano, please.
• Person A: 다른 건 없으세요? (Dareun geon eopseuseyo?)
  • Anything else?
• Person B: 아니요, 괜찮습니다. (Aniyo, gwaenchanseumnida.)
  • No, that's all.

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Set 5: Asking for Directions

• Person A: 실례합니다. 여기가 어디인지 아세요? (Sillyehamnida. Yeogiga eodiinji aseyo?)
  • Excuse me. Do you know where this is?
• Person B: 네, 여기는 [장소]입니다. (Ne, yeogineun [jangso]imnida.)
  • Yes, this is [Place].
• Person A: [장소]에 어떻게 가는지 알려주실 수 있나요? ([Jangso]e eotteoke ganeunji allyeojusil su innayo?)
  • Could you tell me how to get to [Place]?
• Person B: 네, 이쪽으로 쭉 가시면 됩니다. (Ne, itjjogeuro jjuk gasimyeon doemnida.)
  • Yes, go straight this way.

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Cultural Notes and Tips 

• Age Matters: Age plays a significant role in Korean social interactions. It's common to ask someone's age when getting to know them, as it helps determine the appropriate level of formality.
• Honorifics: Korean has a complex system of honorifics (suffixes added to names and titles) to show respect. It's important to use the correct honorifics when addressing someone older or of higher status.
• Gift Giving: Gifts are often exchanged during holidays, birthdays, and special occasions. When receiving a gift, it's customary to express gratitude and to open it later, not in front of the giver.
• Dining Etiquette: There are specific rules for dining etiquette in Korea, such as waiting for the oldest person to start eating first, not sticking your chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice (it resembles incense sticks used in funerals), and offering to pour drinks for others before yourself.
• Formality: Korean has distinct levels of formality. Use formal language (e.g., 안녕하세요) with strangers, elders, or in professional settings. Informal language (e.g., 안녕) is for friends and people you know well.
• "You": The word 당신 (dangsin) is very formal and can sound accusatory in some contexts. It's best to avoid it. Instead, refer to people by their titles (e.g., 선생님 – teacher) or their names with the appropriate honorific (e.g., 김 선생님 – Teacher Kim).
• Bowing: A slight bow often accompanies greetings, especially in formal situations. The depth of the bow varies with the level of respect.
• Handshakes: Handshakes are common, especially in business settings. However, it's polite to wait for the other person to initiate the handshake if they are older or of higher status.