Image by Alan Pottinger from Pixabay
In this post we’ll look at some basic greetings, courtesy expressions, and survival expressions in Korean.
안녕하세요! annyeonghaseyo! Hello! The Basics
Let’s start with basic greetings.
- 안녕하세. annyeonghase. Hello. Good day. Good evening.
- 안녕. anyeong. Hi. (only use with people your same age who you know well, or younger)
- 안녕하세요/ 좋은 아침! annyeonghaseyo./ joheun achim! Good morning.
- 안녕히 주무세요/ 잘 자요. annyeonghi jumuseyo./ jal jayo. Good night.
- 잘 가요, 잘 있어요. jal gayo, jal isseoyo. Good-bye.
(잘 가요jal gayo is said to the person leaving, 잘 있어요 jal isseoyo is said to the person staying.)
곧 만나요. got mannayo. See You Soon.
Here are a few more friendly expressions that you might want to be able to use.
- 곧 만나요. got mannayo. See you soon.
- 나중에 봐요. najunge bwayo. See you later.
- 내일 봐요. naeil bwayo. See you tomorrow.
- 만나서 반가워요. mannaseo bangawoyo. Nice to meet you.
- 잘 자요! jal jayo! Sleep well!
어떻게 지내요? eotteohge jinaeyo? How Are You?
Let’s see a few expressions that you can use when you meet someone, as well as a few more general courtesy and basic expressions.
- 어떻게 지내요?
eotteohge jinaeyo?
How are you? - 잘 지내요.
jal jinaeyo.
I’m fine. - 감사합니다. / 고마워요.
gamsahamnida. / gomawoyo.
Thank you. - 천만에요.
cheonmaneyo.
You’re welcome. - 주세요, 제발.
juseyo, jebal.
Please. - 실례합니다.
shillyehamnida.
Excuse me. - 미안해요.
mianhaeyo.
Sorry! - 이름은 무엇입니까?
ireum-eun mueoshimnikka?
What is your name? - 제 이름은 … 입니다.
je ireumeun … imnida.
My name is… - 어디에서 왔어요?
eodi-eseo wasseoyo?
Where are you from? - 저는 … 에서 왔어요.
jeoneun … eseo wasseoyo.
I’m from…
이해가 안되요. ihaega andoeyo. I Don’t Understand.
Now let’s turn to some helpful survival expressions that you can use as you learn the language.
- 한국어를 못합니다.
hangugeoreul moshamnida.
I don’t speak Korean. - 영어 할 줄 알아요?
yeongeo hal jul arayo?
Do you speak English? - 이해가 안되요.
ihaega andoeyo.
I don’t understand. - 한국어를 조금 할 줄 알아요.
hangugeo-reul jogeum hal jul arayo.
I only speak a little Korean. - 한국어를 배우고 있어요.
hangugeo-reul baeugo isseoyo.
I’m learning Korean. - 한국어를 조금 이해해요.
hangugeo-reul jogeum ihaehaeyo.
I understand a little Korean. - 반복해 주세요.
banbokhae juseyo.
Please repeat. - 그것을 써주세요.
geugeo-seul sseojuseyo.
Please write that. - 한국어로… 를 뭐라고 해요?
hangugeoro… -reul mworago haeyo?
How do you say… in Korean?
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