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How to Say “Hello” in Korean: 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo)
안녕하세요
annyeonghaseyo
Meaning
Hello.
Usage note
Works any time of day. A polite, safe greeting even for people you are meeting for the first time.
Romanization follows the Revised Romanization system and is a guide to pronunciation.
Practical guide
When to use it
It works almost everywhere: with shop staff, neighbors, coworkers, teachers and anyone you have just met. A small nod or bow makes it feel friendly and respectful.
Watch out
With close friends it can sound distant; they simply say 안녕 or 안녕!. Don’t use it to say goodbye, because 안녕하세요 is for meeting people, not for leaving.
How to pronounce it
It is pronounced just as it is written.
| Syllable | Letters (consonant + vowel + final) | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| 안 | ㅇ+ㅏ+ㄴ | an |
| 녕 | ㄴ+ㅕ+ㅇ | nyeong |
| 하 | ㅎ+ㅏ | ha |
| 세 | ㅅ+ㅔ | se |
| 요 | ㅇ+ㅛ | yo |
A ㅇ at the start of a syllable is silent; at the end of a syllable it sounds like “ng”.
Speech style
Ends in -요. The everyday polite style, and a safe choice with shop staff, colleagues, strangers and anyone older than you.
It contains the honorific -(으)시-, which shows respect to the person being talked about or talked to.
Quick self-check
Test yourself before you move on. Tap an answer.
Question 1 What does “안녕하세요” mean?
Show the answer
Answer: Hello
Question 2 How do you say “Hello” in Korean?
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Answer: 안녕하세요 annyeonghaseyo
Reinforce what you learn with typing drills and quizzes.
Practice nowMore phrases for this situation
- 안녕히 가세요Goodbye (to someone leaving)
- 안녕히 계세요Goodbye (to someone staying)
- 감사합니다Thank you
- 고마워요Thanks
- 죄송합니다I’m sorry
- 미안해요Sorry
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