“Hello” in Korean – Essential Korean Greetings for Every Situation

Published: 2025-09-16 06:55:31

When you begin learning a new language, one of the first and most important words to master is the simple greeting: “Hello.” In Korean, greetings go far beyond just politeness—they reflect respect, relationships, and cultural values. Whether you’re speaking to elders, friends, or strangers, the way you say hello can completely change depending on the situation.

This article will take you through everything you need to know about how to say “Hello” in Korean, both in formal and informal contexts. We’ll also look at common variations, replies, and cultural tips to help you sound natural and respectful when communicating in Korean.

If you’re curious about deeper learning, TILS – Your Partner in Learning Korean offers structured courses to help learners understand not just vocabulary, but also the cultural context behind greetings and expressions.

How to Say “Hello” in Korean

Here’s a quick guide to saying hello in Korean across different levels of politeness:

Formal: 안녕하십니까? (annyeonghasimnikka) — Highly respectful; used in speeches, announcements, or when addressing strangers in very formal settings.
Standard: 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) — The most common and polite way to greet someone; safe to use in everyday life.
Informal: 안녕 (annyeong) — Very casual; use with close friends, family, or people younger than you.

Sound complicated? Don’t worry! We’ll break down each form in detail below.

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“Hello” in Korean (Formal)

The most formal version of hello is 안녕하십니까? (annyeonghasimnikka).

Used in news broadcasts, business speeches, or when meeting someone for the first time in a highly professional context.
It shows maximum respect.
Can also serve as both a question and a greeting.

For example, when a professor starts a lecture, they may greet students with “안녕하십니까?”

At TILS, we emphasize this greeting in business Korean courses, where formality plays a big role.

“Hello” in Korean (Standard)

The standard greeting is 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo).

By far the most widely used greeting in Korea.
Safe to use with teachers, colleagues, shopkeepers, or even neighbors.
Literally means “Are you at peace?” or “Are you well?”

This greeting carries warmth and politeness without being overly formal. That’s why students at TILS – Team International Language School start practicing with this phrase from day one—it works in almost any situation!

“Hello” in Korean (Informal)

The casual version is 안녕 (annyeong).

Short, simple, and commonly used between close friends, siblings, or children.
It’s the root word of the other greetings, but with the polite endings removed.
Equivalent to “Hi” in English.

Use it only when you’re sure informal language is acceptable. For example, you might greet a younger cousin with 안녕 but not a professor.

At TILS, teachers guide learners on when it’s culturally appropriate to switch from formal to informal language—a key skill for sounding natural.

How to Pronounce “Hello” in Korean

Korean greetings are written in Hangul (한글), the Korean alphabet. Pronunciation is fairly straightforward once you get used to the sounds:

안녕하십니까 → ann-nyong-ha-sim-ni-kka
안녕하세요 → ann-nyong-ha-se-yo
안녕 → ann-nyong

Practice slowly, breaking down syllables. At TILS, we use audio drills and role-play to help learners confidently pronounce greetings in both casual and formal contents.

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More Ways to Say “Hello” in Korean

Beyond the three main greetings, Koreans use different phrases depending on the situation. Here are a few important ones:

“Hello” on the Telephone

여보세요 (yeoboseyo) – Used exclusively when answering phone calls.
Polite regardless of who’s on the line.

“Good Morning” in Korean

좋은 아침이에요 (joeun achimieyo) – Literally “It’s a good morning.”
Less common than in English but still understood.

“Did You Sleep Well?”

잘 잤어요? (jal jasseoyo?) – Used with peers or juniors.
Formal: 안녕히 주무셨어요? (annyeonghi jumusyeosseoyo?)

“Long Time No See”

오랜만이에요 (oraenmanieyo) – Perfect when you meet someone after a long gap.

For culture enthusiasts, our post on the K-Drama Craze explains how Korean entertainment is influencing learners worldwide.

Cute Way to Say Hello

안뇽 (annyong) – A playful, aegyo-style (cute) greeting. Popular in texting or with close friends.

“Have You Eaten?”

밥 먹었어요? (bap meogeosseoyo?) – Literally means “Did you eat?” but often used as a warm greeting among Koreans.

Time-Based Greetings in Korean

Unlike English, Korean doesn’t use separate words for “Good morning” or “Good evening.” Instead, 안녕하세요 works all day. Still, some specific phrases exist:

좋은 아침이에요 (Joeun achimieyo) – “Good morning” (less common, but used).
안녕히 주무셨어요? (Annyeonghi jumusyeosseoyo?) – “Did you sleep well?” (used in mornings).

For evenings:

좋은 저녁이에요 (Joeun jeonyeogieyo) – “Good evening” (rare, not commonly used).

Most Koreans just stick to 안녕하세요.

Saying Goodbye in Korean

Just as important as hello is knowing how to say goodbye. If you’re searching for “Bye in Korean”, here are the key options:

안녕히 가세요 (Annyeonghi gaseyo) – “Goodbye” (to someone leaving).
안녕히 계세요 (Annyeonghi gyeseyo) – “Goodbye” (to someone staying).
안녕 (Annyeong) – Casual “Bye” among friends.

This shows how respect levels in greetings also extend to farewells.

Beginners can start with the basics by reading How to Learn the Korean Alphabet for a step-by-step approach.

TILS – Your Partner in Learning Korean

When you begin your journey of learning Korean, having the right guidance makes all the difference. That’s where TILS – Team International Language School comes in.

At TILS, the mission is simple yet powerful:

To make learning Korean accessible, enjoyable, and culturally enriching for students from all backgrounds.
To bridge language and culture by teaching not just words and grammar, but also etiquette, expressions, and real-life communication.
To empower learners with the confidence to use Korean in daily life, whether for career growth, higher studies, or personal passion.

From beginner-friendly classes focusing on essential greetings like hello in Korean, to advanced training for professional or academic purposes, TILS provides a structured yet interactive learning environment. With expert trainers, immersive teaching methods, and cultural insights, TILS ensures that every student grows step by step in fluency and confidence.

If you’re serious about learning Korean the right way, TILS – Your Partner in Learning Korean will guide you throughout your journey.

Visit Us

2/81-82, Ground Floor, Lalita Park, Laxmi Nagar, New Delhi - 110092

Call Us

919218071730

If you are exploring Japanese too, don’t miss our guide on how to Say Thank You in Japanese with proper expressions and etiquette.

Cultural Tip When Saying “Hello” in Korean

Greetings in Korea are not just verbal—they include body language.

A slight bow shows respect.
The deeper the bow, the more formal the situation.
With close friends, just a wave and a smile works.

At TILS – Team International Language School, students learn these subtle gestures alongside vocabulary because in Korean culture, how you say hello matters as much as the words themselves.

Many learners are confused between languages; our article Japanese vs. Chinese – Which Language Should You Learn helps you make the right choice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do you say “Hello” in Korean formally?
The formal way is 안녕하십니까 (annyeonghasimnikka), used in speeches or business contexts. At TILS, we teach this as part of advanced communication modules.

2. What is the most common way to say hello in Korean?
The standard 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) is the safest and most common. It works in almost every social situation.

3. How do you say hello in Korean informally?
Among friends or younger people, you can use 안녕 (annyeong). But use it carefully—it can sound rude in formal settings.

4. How do Koreans reply to hello?
You usually reply with the same phrase. For example, if someone says 안녕하세요, you can respond with 네, 안녕하세요 (“Yes, hello”).

5. Does “Have you eaten?” mean hello in Korean?
Yes! 밥 먹었어요? (bap meogeosseoyo?) is often used as a warm, friendly greeting. It reflects Korea’s food-centered culture.

6. How does Korean say hello?

Koreans say hello in different ways depending on the situation. The most common greeting is 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo), which is polite and used in daily life. For very formal settings, they use 안녕하십니까 (annyeonghasimnikka), while 안녕 (annyeong) is casual and used among close friends.

7. What are basic Korean words?

Some useful basic Korean words include 안녕하세요 (hello), 감사합니다 (thank you), 네 (yes), 아니요 (no), and 사랑해 (I love you). Learning these everyday words helps beginners communicate with ease and confidence.

8. How do you say 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 in Korean?

Koreans use two number systems. In the native system: 하나 (1), 둘 (2), 셋 (3), 넷 (4), 다섯 (5), 여섯 (6), 일곱 (7), 여덟 (8), 아홉 (9), 열 (10). These are commonly used in counting everyday items or age.

9. Do Koreans say annyeonghaseyo?

Yes, 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) is the most standard and polite way to greet someone in Korean. It’s used in almost every social setting—from meeting friends to addressing shopkeepers or colleagues.

10. What does gomawo mean?

고마워 (gomawo) means “thank you” in Korean. It’s an informal way of expressing gratitude, usually said to close friends, family, or younger people. The polite version is 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida).

To get a complete overview, check out our detailed post on How to Learn Korean Language with strategies, tips, and resources.

Wrap Up

Learning how to say hello in Korean opens the door to deeper cultural understanding and better communication. From the highly formal 안녕하십니까 to the casual 안녕, each greeting carries a specific level of respect and relationship context.

At TILS – Team International Language School, we guide learners step by step in mastering greetings, pronunciation, and cultural etiquette. Whether you want to watch K-dramas without subtitles, travel to Seoul, or engage in business meetings, learning these greetings is your first step toward fluency.

So next time you meet a Korean friend, colleague, or teacher, try greeting them with the right hello in Korean—and notice how naturally the conversation flows!