Why Learn Korean Greetings First? Greetings are the foundation of communication. In Korean, the way you greet someone shows respect and sets the tone for your conversation. Since Korean is a language deeply connected to culture and relationships, learning greetings is the first step to speaking Korean like a local.
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1. Saying Hello in Korean
There are two common ways to say hello in Korean:
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Polite greeting: 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo)
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Use this with strangers, teachers, elders, or formal situations.
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Casual greeting: 안녕 (annyeong)
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Use this with close friends, people your age, or younger people.
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💡 Pro tip: If you’re unsure which to use, always start with 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo). It’s safer and shows respect.
2. Polite vs. Casual Speech in Korean
Korean has two main speech levels:
- Polite speech (존댓말, jondaetmal): Shows respect and politeness. Essential in most everyday situations.
Casual speech (반말, banmal): Friendly and informal. Used only with close friends, family, or younger people.
Example:
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안녕하세요 – Hello (polite)
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안녕 – Hi (casual)
👉 Using casual speech with strangers or elders can sound rude, so learn to use 존댓말 first.
3. Saying “Nice to Meet You”
To politely say “Nice to meet you”:
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만나서 반갑습니다 (mannaseo bangapseumnida)
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만나서 (mannaseo) = to meet
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반갑습니다 (bangapseumnida) = I am glad / happy
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4. Introducing Yourself in Korean
To say “My name is [Name]”:
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제 이름은 [Name]입니다 (je ireumeun [Name]imnida)
Examples:
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제 이름은 지민입니다. (Je ireumeun Jiminimnida) – My name is Jimin.
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제 이름은 이든입니다. (Je ireumeun Ideunimnida) – My name is Eden.
5. Saying Where You’re From
To say “I’m from [Country]”:
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저는 [Country]에서 왔어요 (jeoneun [country]eseo wasseoyo)
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저는 (jeoneun) = I
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에서 (eseo) = from
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왔어요 (wasseoyo) = came
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Examples:
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저는 미국에서 왔어요. (Jeoneun migukeseo wasseoyo) – I’m from the USA.
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저는 캐나다에서 왔어요. (Jeoneun kaenadaeseo wasseoyo) – I’m from Canada.
6. Example Dialogue
Here’s a short natural conversation in Korean:
A: 안녕하세요! (Annyeonghaseyo – Hello!)
B: 안녕하세요! 처음 뵙겠습니다. (Nice to meet you.)
A: 제 이름은 지민입니다. 만나서 반가워요. (My name is Jimin. Nice to meet you.)
B: 저도 반가워요. 저는 미국에서 왔어요. (Nice to meet you too. I’m from the USA.)
Try practicing this dialogue with your own name and country!
7. Quick Self-Introduction Summary
Here’s your mini speech in Korean:
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안녕하세요. – Hello.
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만나서 반갑습니다. – Nice to meet you.
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제 이름은 [Name]입니다. – My name is [Name].
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저는 [Country]에서 왔어요. – I’m from [Country].
Final Thoughts
Congratulations! 🎉 You’ve just learned the basics of Korean greetings, polite vs. casual speech, and self-introduction. These phrases are the perfect way to start practicing real conversations.
👉 Watch the full video lesson here for pronunciation and practice:
Greetings & Introducing Yourself – Talk Korean Like a Local
감사합니다! (Gamsahamnida – Thank you!)
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