Korean · Real conversations
Meeting people: useful Korean phrases
Start a friendly exchange and find a connection.
Start with the essentials
Start with the essential words and expressions below. Next, learn the five specific phrases in the reference table. Finally, read both sides of the exchange and try the linked rehearsal before revealing its sample replies. This collection connects to the broader vocabulary topic.
- Hello
안녕하세요annyeonghaseyo
Hello
- Nice to meet you
만나서 반가워요mannaseo bangawoyo
Nice to meet you
- What's your name?
이름이 뭐예요?ireumi mwoyeyo?
What's your name?
- Where are you from?
어디에서 오셨어요?eodieseo osyeosseoyo?
Where are you from?
Make the conversation more specific
| What you want to say | Korean |
|---|---|
| Hello | 안녕하세요annyeonghaseyo Hello |
| Nice to meet you | 만나서 반가워요mannaseo bangawoyo Nice to meet you |
| What's your name? | 이름이 뭐예요?ireumi mwoyeyo? What's your name? |
| Where are you from? | 어디에서 오셨어요?eodieseo osyeosseoyo? Where are you from? |
| What brings you here? | 여기는 어쩐 일로 오셨어요?yeogineun eojjeon illo osyeosseoyo? Show English translationWhat brings you here? |
| How do you know ...? | …하고 어떻게 아세요?...hago eotteoke aseyo? Show English translationHow do you know …? |
| Is this your first time here? | 여기는 처음이세요?yeogineun cheoeumiseyo? Show English translationIs this your first time here? |
| I've heard a lot about you. | 말씀 많이 들었어요.malsseum mani deureosseoyo. Show English translationI've heard a lot about you. |
| Have we met before? | 우리 전에 만난 적 있어요?uri jeone mannan jeok isseoyo? Show English translationHave we met before? |
Read the other side of the exchange
Partner
안녕하세요. 다른 도시에서 왔어요.annyeonghaseyo. dareun dosieseo wasseoyo.
Hello, I'm visiting from another town.
You
여기는 어쩐 일로 오셨어요?yeogineun eojjeon illo osyeosseoyo?
What brings you here?
Partner
안나가 초대했어요. 오래된 친구예요.annaga chodaehaesseoyo. oraedoen chinguyeyo.
Anna invited me. She's an old friend.
You
안나하고 어떻게 아세요?Annahago eotteoke aseyo?
How do you know Anna?
Meeting people in other languages
A note on speaking Korean
Most examples use polite 해요-style endings. A more formal ending may appear when addressing staff or making a careful request. Do not switch to casual speech with a stranger simply because the English translation sounds friendly.
Hangul is the main text; romanization helps you read along. Korean often leaves a clear subject unstated. Particles and endings carry information that English may express with separate words.
