Korean · Greetings & Essentials
"Hello" in Korean: 안녕하세요
안녕하세요annyeonghaseyo
Hello in Korean is 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo), a polite greeting used throughout the day. With close friends, 안녕 (annyeong) can mean hello or goodbye.
A simple sentence
안녕하세요, 선생님.annyeonghaseyo, seonsaengnim.
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How to pronounce 안녕하세요
Say it
ahn-nyuhng-hah-seh-yoh
/an.njʌŋ.ha.se.jo/
In 안녕하세요, keep the two n sounds together in annyeong. The eo vowel is closer to an open uh than to English oh; pronounce the final yo clearly.
"Hello" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 안녕하세요annyeonghaseyo | hello Polite everyday greeting. | Polite everyday greeting. |
| 안녕annyeong | hi / bye Casual; use with close friends or younger people where appropriate. | Casual; use with close friends or younger people where appropriate. |
| 안녕하십니까annyeonghasimnikka | hello More formal greeting, often in formal introductions. | More formal greeting, often in formal introductions. |
How to use 안녕하세요 in real life
- 1A simple sentence
안녕하세요, 선생님.
annyeonghaseyo, seonsaengnim.
Hello, teacher.
선생님 adds a respectful title.
- 2An everyday situation
안녕하세요. 저는 민수예요.
annyeonghaseyo. jeoneun minsuyeyo.
Hello. I am Minsu.
A polite greeting can lead straight into an introduction.
- 3A useful question
안녕하세요. 여기 앉아도 돼요?
annyeonghaseyo. yeogi anjado dwaeyo?
Hello. May I sit here?
The greeting softens the first request.
Mistakes English speakers make with 안녕하세요
Incorrect: 안녕, 선생님.
Correct: 안녕하세요, 선생님.
안녕 is too casual for many first encounters with a teacher.
Incorrect: 좋은 오후, 안녕하세요.
Correct: 안녕하세요.
안녕하세요 already works in the afternoon; a literal good-afternoon formula is unnecessary.
Good to know
A slight nod or bow often accompanies 안녕하세요. Follow the other person’s level of formality instead of switching to casual 안녕 immediately.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Meet a new classmate
Partner
안녕하세요. 이름이 뭐예요?
annyeonghaseyo. ireumi mwoyeyo?
Hello. What is your name?
You
안녕하세요. 저는 지수예요.
annyeonghaseyo. jeoneun jisuyeyo.
Hello. I am Jisu.
Partner
만나서 반가워요, 지수 씨.
mannaseo bangawoyo, jisu ssi.
Nice to meet you, Jisu.
You
저도 반가워요.
jeodo bangawoyo.
Nice to meet you too.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Hello" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Hello" in Korean
Is annyeonghaseyo polite?
Yes. 안녕하세요 is a useful polite default when greeting someone you do not know well.
Can I use it in the evening?
Yes. 안녕하세요 works throughout the day; Korean does not require a different everyday hello for each hour.
Can annyeong mean goodbye?
Yes. Casual 안녕 can mean hi or bye. Polite farewells use other expressions, depending on who is leaving.
Is annyeonghasimnikka more formal?
Yes. 안녕하십니까 uses a more formal speech style, useful in settings such as a formal introduction.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
