Korean Greetings: Formal to Casual

If the only Korean greeting you know is 안녕 (annyeong), you are missing out on a whole world of expressions that Koreans use every day. Korean has an elaborate system of speech levels, and choosing the right greeting depends on who you are talking to, how well you know them, and the social context. Master these greetings and you will make a strong first impression in any Korean-speaking environment.

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In this guide, we cover 10 essential Korean greetings organized by formality and situation. You will learn the difference between 반말 (banmal) — casual speech — and 존댓말 (jondaenmal) — polite and formal speech — so you always know the right way to say hello.

All 10 Greetings at a Glance

Understanding Korean Speech Levels

Before diving into individual greetings, it helps to understand why Korean has so many ways to say the same thing. Korean culture places great importance on social hierarchy, age, and relationships, and the language reflects this through distinct speech levels.

The two most important concepts for beginners are:

• 존댓말 (jondaenmal) — Polite and formal speech. Used with strangers, elders, colleagues, and anyone you want to show respect to. This includes the 합쇼체 (formal polite) and 해요체 (informal polite) levels.
• 반말 (banmal) — Casual speech. Used only with close friends who are your age or younger, children, and in very informal settings. Using banmal with the wrong person is considered disrespectful.

Formal and Polite Greetings

These greetings are safe for virtually any situation. Use them when meeting someone for the first time, speaking with an elder, or in any professional context.

안녕하세요 (Annyeonghaseyo) — Hello (polite)

안녕하세요 is the most versatile Korean greeting and the one you will use most often. It literally means "Are you at peace?" and is appropriate for nearly every situation — greeting a colleague, meeting someone new, or entering a shop. For an even more formal version used in business or with elders, you can say 안녕하십니까 (annyeonghasimnikka).

반갑습니다 (Bangapseumnida) — Nice to meet you (formal)

반갑습니다 is the formal way to say "Nice to meet you" and is essential for introductions. You will hear it in business meetings, formal events, and when being introduced to someone older. It is often paired with a slight bow and a handshake. The full phrase 만나서 반갑습니다 (mannaseo bangapseumnida) — "I am glad to have met you" — is even more polite.

실례합니다 (Sillyehamnida) — Excuse me

실례합니다 literally means "I am being rude" and is used to politely get someone's attention or to apologize for an interruption. You would use it before asking a stranger for directions, entering someone's office, or passing through a crowded space. It carries a tone of humility and respect.

어서 오세요 (Eoseo oseyo) — Welcome

어서 오세요 means "Welcome" or "Come in quickly" and is the standard greeting you will hear when entering a restaurant, shop, or someone's home in Korea. It is always said by the host or staff, not by the visitor. In very formal settings, you might hear 어서 오십시오 (eoseo osipsio).

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Casual Greetings

These greetings are for close friends, people your own age you are comfortable with, and children. Using them with the wrong person can come across as rude or overly familiar.

안녕 (Annyeong) — Hi / Bye

안녕 is the stripped-down, casual version of 안녕하세요. It works as both "hi" and "bye" among friends, similar to how "ciao" works in Italian. You will hear it constantly among Korean friends greeting each other. Just remember that it is strictly banmal — never use it with someone older or in a formal setting.

반가워 (Bangawo) — Nice to meet you (casual)

반가워 is the casual counterpart of 반갑습니다. Use it when meeting a new friend through mutual acquaintances in a relaxed setting. You might also hear 반가워요 (bangawoyo), which adds a slight layer of politeness while still being informal.

Situational Greetings

Some Korean greetings are tied to specific situations rather than formality levels. These are essential phrases that come up regularly in daily life.

좋은 아침 (Joeun achim) — Good morning

좋은 아침 literally means "Good morning" and is a relatively modern expression influenced by English. Traditional Korean does not have time-of-day greetings the way English or Spanish does — Koreans typically use 안녕하세요 at any time. However, 좋은 아침 has become popular in casual settings, especially among younger Koreans and in workplaces with a modern culture.

여보세요 (Yeoboseyo) — Hello (phone only)

여보세요 is used exclusively when answering the phone or checking if someone is still on the line. It is never used as a face-to-face greeting. The word comes from an older form meaning "Look here" or "Listen," and it has evolved into the universal Korean telephone greeting.

잘 지냈어요? (Jal jinaesseoyo?) — How have you been?

잘 지냈어요? literally means "Have you been well?" and is used when you have not seen someone for a while. It is the Korean equivalent of "How have you been?" The casual form is 잘 지냈어? (jal jinaesseo?) and the formal version is 잘 지내셨어요? (jal jinaesyeosseoyo?). A common response is 네, 잘 지냈어요 (ne, jal jinaesseoyo) — "Yes, I have been well."

오랜만이에요 (Oraenmanieyo) — Long time no see

오랜만이에요 is used when reuniting with someone you have not seen in a while. It is often followed by 잘 지냈어요? to ask how the person has been. The casual form is 오랜만이야 (oraenmaniya) and the formal version is 오랜만입니다 (oraenmanimnida). This is a warm expression that shows you are happy to see the person again.

Putting It All Together

Here is a quick decision guide for choosing the right Korean greeting:

• Meeting someone for the first time? Use 안녕하세요 followed by 반갑습니다: "안녕하세요, 만나서 반갑습니다."
• Greeting a colleague or acquaintance? Use 안녕하세요 and optionally 잘 지냈어요? if you have not seen them recently.
• Saying hi to a close friend? Use 안녕 or 오랜만이야 if it has been a while.
• Answering the phone? Always use 여보세요.
• Not sure about formality? Default to 안녕하세요. It is polite without being overly stiff, and it is never wrong.

Korean greetings are your gateway to understanding the culture's emphasis on respect and relationships. Practice using different greetings in the appropriate contexts, and you will quickly develop an instinct for the right level of formality. Native speakers genuinely appreciate the effort, even if your pronunciation is not perfect yet.