Saying hello and goodbye
Korean greetings depend on who you are speaking to and, when saying goodbye, who is leaving.
Saying hello
Section titled “Saying hello”How you say “hello” depends on who you are talking to. Korean has different politeness levels.
To close friends who are your age or younger:
안녕!
Hello!
To anyone else:
안녕하세요.
Hello.
Saying goodbye
Section titled “Saying goodbye”To close friends who are your age or younger:
안녕!
Goodbye!
Yes, “goodbye” is the same word as saying “hello”.
But to other people, when you need to be more formal, you have two options:
You are leaving, and they are staying:
안녕히 계세요.
Goodbye. (Literally: 'Stay in peace.')
You are staying, and they are leaving:
안녕히 가세요.
Goodbye. (Literally: 'Go in peace.')