Topic guide
Korean Greetings & Everyday Politeness — The Survival Set
Every Korean interaction runs on a small set of ritual phrases — and almost all of them come in a polite version and a casual version. Learn the phrase AND its level, and you sound like you get it.
This set covers arriving, thanking, apologizing, agreeing, calling for help, and the meal-table rituals — the complete survival kit for your first conversations.
Work through these roughly in order before a trip or your first real conversations — they're short individually, and together they cover more real ground than a much longer phrasebook chapter.
- 01
What Does 안녕하세요 (Annyeonghaseyo) Mean in Korean?
Annyeonghaseyo (안녕하세요) meaning and how to actually pronounce it, when to bow, 안녕 vs 안녕하세요, and what to…
- 02
What Does 안녕 (Annyeong) Mean in Korean?
안녕 (annyeong) is the casual Korean hi that also means bye.
- 03
안녕히 가세요 vs 안녕히 계세요: The Goodbye Pair
Learn the difference between 안녕히 가세요 and 안녕히 계세요 — Korean's two polite goodbyes — and which one to say…
- 04
What Does 감사합니다 (Kamsahamnida) Mean in Korean?
Kamsahamnida (감사합니다, often typed kamsamida or gamsahamnida) is the polite 'thank you' in Korean.
- 05
감사합니다 vs 고마워: Which 'Thank You' Should You Use?
감사합니다, 고마워요, or 고마워?
- 06
What Does 죄송합니다 (Joesonghamnida) Mean in Korean?
Joesonghamnida (죄송합니다) is the formal 'I'm sorry' in Korean.
- 07
What Does 미안해 (Mianhae) Mean in Korean?
Mianhae (미안해) is the casual 'I'm sorry' in Korean.
- 08
네 (Ne) vs 응 (Eung): How to Say Yes in Korean
네 (ne) and 응 (eung) both mean yes — but one is polite and one is casual.
- 09
How to Say No in Korean (아니요/아니)
Learn how to say 'no' in Korean — 아니요 (polite) and 아니 (casual) — plus how Korean 'no' answers work…
- 10
What Does 저기요 (Jeogiyo) Mean in Korean?
저기요 (jeogiyo) is the all-purpose Korean 'excuse me' for calling staff and strangers — plus how it differs…
- 11
What Does 어서 오세요 (Eoseo Oseyo) Mean in Korean?
어서 오세요 (eoseo oseyo) is the 'welcome!' you hear entering every Korean shop — and whether you're expected…
- 12
Why Do Koreans Ask 밥 먹었어? (Did You Eat?)
밥 먹었어?
- 13
What Does 잘 먹겠습니다 (Jal Meokgetseumnida) Mean?
잘 먹겠습니다 (jal meokgetseumnida) literally means 'I will eat well' — when to say it, and its after-meal…
- 14
What Does 수고했어 (Sugohaesseo) Mean in Korean?
Sugohaesseo (수고했어) means 'you worked hard / good job' in Korean.
- 15
님 vs 씨: Korean Titles Explained
님 (nim) and 씨 (ssi) are the two most common Korean title suffixes — the difference, and when each one fits.
- 16
What Do 엄마 and 아빠 Mean? Mom and Dad in Korean
Learn 엄마 (mom) and 아빠 (dad) in Korean, the more formal 어머니/아버지, and why kids (and grown adults) keep using…
- 17
How to Say Good Night in Korean
Learn how to say good night in Korean — 잘 자요 (polite) and 잘 자 (casual) — plus the sweet-dreams variant 좋은 꿈 꿔.
- 18
How to Say Happy Birthday in Korean
Happy birthday in Korean and birthday wishes, formal and informal: saengil chukhahae (생일 축하해),…
- 19
How to Introduce Yourself in Korean
How to introduce yourself in Korean, formally or casually: 안녕하세요, 저는 … 이에요, your country and job, then 잘…
- 20
10 Ways to Say Thank You in Korean
Thank you in Korean, from formal to informal: kamsahamnida (감사합니다), gomawoyo, gomawo and more — 10 phrases…
- 21
10 Ways to Say Goodbye in Korean
Goodbye in Korean depends on who's leaving: 안녕히 가세요 vs 안녕히 계세요.
- 22
8 Ways to Say "I Love You" in Korean
사랑해 isn't the only way to express love in Korean — from a formal 사랑합니다 to a lighter 좋아해, here are 8…
- 23
6 Ways to Say Good Morning in Korean
Good morning in Korean, formal to informal: from 안녕히 주무셨어요?
- 24
5 Ways to Say I Miss You in Korean
I miss you in Korean: bogo sipeo (보고 싶어), bogo sipeoyo, bogo sipseumnida and the deeper 그리워요 — 5 phrases…
- 25
6 Ways to Say Congratulations in Korean
From formal 축하드립니다 to a casual 축하해, here are 6 ways to say congratulations in Korean, organized by…
- 26
6 Ways to Say You're Welcome in Korean
You're welcome in Korean isn't just 천만에요 — Koreans mostly say 아니에요 (anieyo).
- 27
6 Ways to Say See You Later in Korean
See you later in Korean: 이따 봐 is for later today, 나중에 봐 and 다음에 봐 for an open date, and humble 뵐게요 forms…
- 28
5 Ways to Say Good Luck in Korean
From formal 행운을 빕니다 to the iconic 화이팅, here are 5 ways to say good luck in Korean, organized by formality…
- 29
How to Say Good Afternoon in Korean (5 Real Options)
Korean has no everyday 'good afternoon.' Here are the greetings Koreans really use after lunch, from 안녕하세요…
- 30
6 Ways to Say Take Care in Korean
'Take care' in Korean depends on the moment: 조심히 가세요 for someone leaving, 몸조심하세요 for health, 잘 지내요 for a…
- 31
How to Say Welcome in Korean (5 Situations, Not One Word)
'Welcome' in Korean isn't one word: 어서 오세요 in a shop, 환영합니다 at an event, 어서 와 (eoseo wa) or 잘 왔어 at home.
- 32
How to Say Cheers in Korean (5 Toasts, Not Just 건배)
'Cheers' in Korean isn't just 건배 — 위하여, 짠, and full toast speeches (건배사) all show up depending on the setting.
- 33
많이 먹어 vs 잘 먹어 vs 맛있게 먹어: Three Ways to Say "Enjoy Your Meal"
"Eat a lot," "eat well," "eat deliciously": three Korean phrases that all mean "enjoy your meal." Who says…
- 34
Korean Greetings Cheat Sheet: Formal, Polite and Casual (Free PDF)
A free printable Korean greetings cheat sheet: hello, goodbye, thank you, sorry, good night and more —…
- 35
What Does 오랜만 (Oraenman) Mean in Korean? "Long Time No See" and More
오랜만이에요 (oraenmanieyo) means long time no see.
Want these to stick?
Quiz yourself in today's study session →