Nice to meet you (Formal vs. Casual)

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TL;DR 🦄

🙇 처음 뵙겠습니다 [cheo-eum bwep-kket-sseum-ni-da] — "Nice to meet you" (formal, first meetings)

🤝 반갑습니다 [ban-gap-sseum-ni-da] — "Glad to meet you" (formal/polite, safe with anyone)

😊 만나서 반가워요 [man-na-seo ban-ga-wo-yo] — "Nice to meet you" (everyday polite — safe default!)

👋 반가워 [ban-ga-wo] — "Nice to meet you" (casual, close friends only)

🙋 저는 ___예요 [jeo-neun ye-yo] — "I'm " — for introducing yourself

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🎧 Iru Helper Note — Head to the Korean Helper Widgets and listen to today's phrases at natural speed. 안녕하세요! 만나서 반가워요! [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo! man-na-seo ban-ga-wo-yo!] — practice both the formal and casual versions out loud. 🌟

🌈 The Big Picture

In Korean, "nice to meet you" changes depending on who you're talking to. With a boss, teacher, or someone you're meeting for the first time in a formal setting, you'll hear 처음 뵙겠습니다 [cheo-eum bwep-kket-sseum-ni-da] and 반갑습니다 [ban-gap-sseum-ni-da]. With friends or people your own age, it's simply 반가워 [ban-ga-wo]. And if you're not sure which to use? 만나서 반가워요 [man-na-seo ban-ga-wo-yo] is your safe, friendly, all-purpose choice. 🤝

🎛️ Formal vs. Casual: Pick the Right Mode

Think of it as three simple "modes" 🎚️:

Formal Mode 🎩 — for bosses, teachers, elders, or any first meeting in a serious setting: 처음 뵙겠습니다 [cheo-eum bwep-kket-sseum-ni-da] + 반갑습니다 [ban-gap-sseum-ni-da]

Everyday Mode 😊 — your safe default for most situations: 만나서 반가워요 [man-na-seo ban-ga-wo-yo]

Casual Mode 👫 — only with close friends or people clearly younger/your age: 반가워 [ban-ga-wo]

When in doubt, go one level MORE polite than you think you need. Koreans appreciate the effort, and nobody is offended by extra politeness. 💛

🧳 Essential Phrase Kit

처음 뵙겠습니다 [cheo-eum bwep-kket-sseum-ni-da] — "Nice to meet you" (formal, first meeting) 🙇

반갑습니다 [ban-gap-sseum-ni-da] — "Glad to meet you" (formal/polite) 🤝

만나서 반가워요 [man-na-seo ban-ga-wo-yo] — "Nice to meet you" (everyday polite) 😊

반가워 [ban-ga-wo] — "Nice to meet you" (casual, close friends) 👋

저는 ___예요 [jeo-neun ye-yo] — "I'm " (polite self-introduction) 🙋

나는 ___이야 [na-neun i-ya] — "I'm " (casual self-introduction) 😎

이름이 뭐예요? [i-reu-mi mwo-ye-yo] — "What's your name?" (polite) ❓

___ 씨 [ssi] — a polite title added AFTER a name, like "Mr./Ms. ___" 🏷️

잘 부탁드립니다 [jal but-tak-deu-rim-ni-da] — "Please take care of me" (polite closing after an introduction) 🙏

잘 부탁해 [jal but-ta-kae] — casual version of the phrase above 😄

🛠️ Putting It Together

안녕하세요. 처음 뵙겠습니다. 저는 사라예요. [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. cheo-eum bwep-kket-sseum-ni-da. jeo-neun sa-ra-ye-yo.]

"Hello. Nice to meet you. I'm Sara." 🙇 — A safe, formal way to introduce yourself the first time — works at school, work, or with someone older.

A: 이름이 뭐예요? B: 저는 민수예요. 만나서 반가워요! [A: i-reu-mi mwo-ye-yo? B: jeo-neun min-su-ye-yo. man-na-seo ban-ga-wo-yo!]

A: "What's your name?" B: "I'm Minsu. Nice to meet you!" 😊 — A friendly, everyday exchange — perfect for most new people.

안녕! 나는 지은이야. 반가워! [an-nyeong! na-neun ji-eun-i-ya. ban-ga-wo!]

"Hi! I'm Jieun. Nice to meet you!" 👋 — Casual — only use this with people clearly your age or younger, once things feel relaxed.

🗣️ Speaking Practice: Mini Dialogues

Formal — meeting a new coworker 🎩

민수: 안녕하세요. 처음 뵙겠습니다. 저는 김민수입니다.

[Minsu: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. cheo-eum bwep-kket-sseum-ni-da. jeo-neun gim-min-su-im-ni-da.]

Minsu: "Hello. Nice to meet you. I'm Kim Minsu."

사라: 반갑습니다, 민수 씨.

[Sara: ban-gap-sseum-ni-da, min-su ssi.]

Sara: "Glad to meet you, Minsu."

민수: 잘 부탁드립니다.

[Minsu: jal but-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.]

Minsu: "Please take care of me." (a polite, friendly closing)

사라: 네, 잘 부탁드립니다.

[Sara: ne, jal but-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.]

Sara: "Yes, likewise!"

Casual — meeting a friend's friend 👫

지은: 안녕! 나는 지은이야.

[Jieun: an-nyeong! na-neun ji-eun-i-ya.]

Jieun: "Hi! I'm Jieun."

수진: 안녕! 나는 수진이야. 반가워!

[Sujin: an-nyeong! na-neun su-jin-i-ya. ban-ga-wo!]

Sujin: "Hi! I'm Sujin. Nice to meet you!"

지은: 나도 반가워!

[Jieun: na-do ban-ga-wo!]

Jieun: "Nice to meet you too!"

🧭 Speaking Tip

Not sure which "mode" to use? Start with 만나서 반가워요 [man-na-seo ban-ga-wo-yo] — it's polite, friendly, and works almost everywhere. Save 처음 뵙겠습니다 [cheo-eum bwep-kket-sseum-ni-da] for clearly formal situations (work, school, meeting elders), and save 반가워 [ban-ga-wo] for close friends only. 😊

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

❌ Saying 반가워 [ban-ga-wo] to your boss, teacher, or someone older → ✅ Use 처음 뵙겠습니다 [cheo-eum bwep-kket-sseum-ni-da] or 반갑습니다 [ban-gap-sseum-ni-da] instead.

❌ Skipping the introduction phrase entirely in a formal setting → ✅ Add 처음 뵙겠습니다 [cheo-eum bwep-kket-sseum-ni-da] before 반갑습니다 [ban-gap-sseum-ni-da] for a complete, polite intro.

❌ Putting 씨 [ssi] BEFORE someone's name → ✅ It always goes AFTER the name, like 민수 씨 [min-su ssi].

❌ Using 잘 부탁드립니다 [jal but-tak-deu-rim-ni-da] with close friends → ✅ It's a bit stiff for casual settings — save it for formal introductions (school, work).

Great job — you now know how to say "nice to meet you" formally AND casually, and how to introduce yourself! 🤝✨

Try this exercise

Instructions: Choose the best phrase for each situation.

1. You're meeting your new manager for the first time. What's the safest way to introduce yourself? ＿＿＿＿ 🙇

Answer

안녕하세요. 처음 뵙겠습니다. 저는 ___예요. [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. cheo-eum bwep-kket-sseum-ni-da. jeo-neun ___ ye-yo.] → A complete, formal introduction.

2. Your friend's younger sibling (similar age, casual setting) says 반가워! [ban-ga-wo]. How do you reply? ＿＿＿＿

Answer

반가워! [ban-ga-wo] → Match their casual tone.

3. Someone asks 이름이 뭐예요? [i-reu-mi mwo-ye-yo] and your name is 사라. How do you answer? ＿＿＿＿

Answer

저는 사라예요. [jeo-neun sa-ra-ye-yo] → "I'm Sara."

4. True or False: 반가워 [ban-ga-wo] is safe to use with your boss.

Answer

False → 반가워 is casual, for close friends only. Use 반갑습니다 [ban-gap-sseum-ni-da] with your boss.

5. Fill in: A: 처음 뵙겠습니다. B: ＿＿＿＿, 민수 씨.

Answer

반갑습니다 [ban-gap-sseum-ni-da] → A natural reply to a formal first greeting.

6. After introducing yourself at a new job, what polite phrase do you add at the end? ＿＿＿＿

Answer

잘 부탁드립니다 [jal but-tak-deu-rim-ni-da] → "Please take care of me" — a warm, polite closing.

7. What's the casual way to say "I'm ___"? ＿＿＿＿

Answer

나는 ___이야 [na-neun ___ i-ya] → Used with close friends, not formal settings.

8. You meet a classmate around your age for the first time, in a relaxed setting. What's a natural, friendly thing to say? ＿＿＿＿

Answer

만나서 반가워요! [man-na-seo ban-ga-wo-yo] → Polite but warm — a great everyday choice.

9. True or False: 씨 [ssi] is added BEFORE someone's name.

Answer

False → It goes AFTER the name, like 지은 씨 [ji-eun ssi].

10. Practice saying this out loud: 안녕하세요. 저는 [이름]예요. 만나서 반가워요. [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. jeo-neun [name] ye-yo. man-na-seo ban-ga-wo-yo.]

Answer

"Hello. I'm [name]. Nice to meet you." → Your everyday introduction — use it often!

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Vocabulary Box

처음 뵙겠습니다 [cheo-eum bwep-kket-sseum-ni-da] → nice to meet you (formal)

반갑습니다 [ban-gap-sseum-ni-da] → glad to meet you (formal)

만나서 반가워요 [man-na-seo ban-ga-wo-yo] → nice to meet you (everyday)

반가워 [ban-ga-wo] → nice to meet you (casual)

저는 ___예요 [jeo-neun ye-yo] → I'm (polite)

나는 ___이야 [na-neun i-ya] → I'm (casual)

이름이 뭐예요? [i-reu-mi mwo-ye-yo] → what's your name?

___ 씨 [ssi] → Mr./Ms. ___ (after the name)

잘 부탁드립니다 [jal but-tak-deu-rim-ni-da] → please take care of me (formal)

잘 부탁해 [jal but-ta-kae] → please take care of me (casual)

Pitfalls 💡

반가워 = friends only, never with elders/bosses

씨 always comes AFTER the name

When unsure, use 만나서 반가워요

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Want more reps? Visit the Practice Hub when you're ready! 🚀

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🎯 Practice Hub — Nice to Meet You (Formal vs. Casual)

안녕하세요! [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo] Let's practice introducing yourself and saying "nice to meet you" — in both formal and casual Korean. 🤝✨

🔊 Audio reminder: Use the Korean Helper Widgets to hear any phrase.

Exercise 1 — Formal or Casual? 🎩😊

A. You're meeting your significant other's parents for the first time. ＿＿＿＿

Answer

처음 뵙겠습니다. 반갑습니다. [cheo-eum bwep-kket-sseum-ni-da. ban-gap-sseum-ni-da.] → Formal Mode — a first meeting with someone's parents calls for full politeness.

B. Your friend introduces you to their coworker, who is around your age, in a relaxed setting. ＿＿＿＿

Answer

만나서 반가워요. [man-na-seo ban-ga-wo-yo] → Everyday Mode — friendly and polite, a safe choice.

C. You're at a job interview and just shook hands with the interviewer. ＿＿＿＿

Answer

처음 뵙겠습니다. 반갑습니다. [cheo-eum bwep-kket-sseum-ni-da. ban-gap-sseum-ni-da.] → Formal Mode — interviews call for full politeness.

D. A classmate around your age says 안녕! 반가워! [an-nyeong! ban-ga-wo!]. How do you reply casually? ＿＿＿＿

Answer

반가워! [ban-ga-wo] → Casual Mode — match their tone.

E. True or False: 반갑습니다 [ban-gap-sseum-ni-da] can be used safely with almost anyone, even strangers.

Answer

True → It's polite and safe in nearly every situation.

F. You're joining a study group of people your own age, but you've just met. ＿＿＿＿

Answer

만나서 반가워요. [man-na-seo ban-ga-wo-yo] → Everyday Mode — polite but warm, good for new acquaintances even if they're your age.

G. After a formal introduction at work, what do you add to sound polite and complete? ＿＿＿＿

Answer

잘 부탁드립니다 [jal but-tak-deu-rim-ni-da] → A warm, polite closing for formal introductions.

H. True or False: 반가워 [ban-ga-wo] is appropriate when meeting your professor for the first time.

Answer

False → Use 처음 뵙겠습니다 [cheo-eum bwep-kket-sseum-ni-da] and 반갑습니다 [ban-gap-sseum-ni-da] instead.

I. You're at a friend's birthday party and meet their close friend, who is the same age as you. ＿＿＿＿

Answer

반가워! [ban-ga-wo] → Casual Mode — a relaxed setting with peers.

J. What's the safest "nice to meet you" phrase if you're not sure how formal to be? ＿＿＿＿

Answer

만나서 반가워요 [man-na-seo ban-ga-wo-yo] → Polite, friendly, and works almost everywhere.

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Quick Reference:

Formal 🎩 → 처음 뵙겠습니다 / 반갑습니다 [cheo-eum bwep-kket-sseum-ni-da / ban-gap-sseum-ni-da]

Everyday 😊 (safe default) → 만나서 반가워요 [man-na-seo ban-ga-wo-yo]

Casual 👫 (close friends only) → 반가워 [ban-ga-wo]

Exercise 2 — Introduce Yourself 🙋

A. Your name is 민수. Introduce yourself politely. ＿＿＿＿

Answer

저는 민수예요. [jeo-neun min-su-ye-yo] → "I'm Minsu."

B. Someone asks 이름이 뭐예요? [i-reu-mi mwo-ye-yo] and your name is 지은. ＿＿＿＿

Answer

저는 지은이에요. [jeo-neun ji-eun-i-e-yo] → "I'm Jieun."

C. Now introduce yourself casually if your name is 수진. ＿＿＿＿

Answer

나는 수진이야. [na-neun su-jin-i-ya] → "I'm Sujin." (casual)

D. Combine: greet someone formally, then introduce yourself and say nice to meet you. ＿＿＿＿

Answer

안녕하세요. 저는 ___예요. 처음 뵙겠습니다. [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. jeo-neun ___ ye-yo. cheo-eum bwep-kket-sseum-ni-da.]

E. True or False: 저는 [jeo-neun] and 나는 [na-neun] both mean "I/I'm," but 나는 is casual.

Answer

True → 저는 is polite, 나는 is casual.

F. Your friend asks casually, 이름이 뭐야? [i-reu-mi mwo-ya]. Reply casually (your name is 민수). ＿＿＿＿

Answer

나는 민수야. [na-neun min-su-ya] → "I'm Minsu." (casual)

G. After introducing yourself at a new job, what should you add to sound complete and polite? ＿＿＿＿

Answer

잘 부탁드립니다 [jal but-tak-deu-rim-ni-da] → "Please take care of me."

H. True or False: 씨 [ssi] goes before a name, like "Mr. 김" → "Mr. 씨김."

Answer

False → It goes after: 김 씨 [gim ssi] or 민수 씨 [min-su ssi].

I. Your name is 사라. Introduce yourself formally to a new coworker, including a polite closing. ＿＿＿＿

Answer

안녕하세요. 처음 뵙겠습니다. 저는 사라예요. 잘 부탁드립니다. [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. cheo-eum bwep-kket-sseum-ni-da. jeo-neun sa-ra-ye-yo. jal but-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.]

J. Practice saying this out loud: 저는 ___예요. 만나서 반가워요. [jeo-neun ___ ye-yo. man-na-seo ban-ga-wo-yo.]

Answer

"I'm ___. Nice to meet you." → A simple, everyday introduction.

📚

Quick Rule — Name Endings:

Name ends in a vowel sound (e.g., 민수) → ___예요 [ye-yo] (polite) / ___야 [ya] (casual)

Name ends in a consonant sound (e.g., 지은) → ___이에요 [i-e-yo] (polite) / ___이야 [i-ya] (casual)

Exercise 3 — Mix It All Together 🗣️

A. You're meeting your new roommate (similar age) for the first time, casual setting. ＿＿＿＿

Answer

안녕! 나는 ___이야. 반가워! [an-nyeong! na-neun ___ i-ya. ban-ga-wo!]

B. You're meeting your partner's parents for the first time. ＿＿＿＿

Answer

안녕하세요. 처음 뵙겠습니다. 저는 ___예요. 잘 부탁드립니다. [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. cheo-eum bwep-kket-sseum-ni-da. jeo-neun ___ ye-yo. jal but-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.]

C. A coworker your age, whom you just met, greets you politely. How do you respond? ＿＿＿＿

Answer

만나서 반가워요! [man-na-seo ban-ga-wo-yo] → Match their polite, friendly tone.

D. True or False: It's polite to say 반가워 [ban-ga-wo] to someone older whom you just met.

Answer

False → Use 반갑습니다 [ban-gap-sseum-ni-da] or 만나서 반가워요 [man-na-seo ban-ga-wo-yo] instead.

E. Your professor asks your name. Reply politely (your name is 민수). ＿＿＿＿

Answer

저는 민수예요. [jeo-neun min-su-ye-yo]

F. A new friend says 반가워! [ban-ga-wo]. How do you respond, matching their tone? ＿＿＿＿

Answer

나도 반가워! [na-do ban-ga-wo] → "Nice to meet you too!"

G. What does 잘 부탁드립니다 [jal but-tak-deu-rim-ni-da] roughly mean, and when do you use it?

Answer

"Please take care of me" → A warm, polite phrase added after a formal introduction (school, work).

H. True or False: 만나서 반가워요 [man-na-seo ban-ga-wo-yo] is a safe, polite choice if you're unsure how formal to be.

Answer

True → It works in almost every everyday situation.

I. Fill in: A: 처음 뵙겠습니다. 저는 김지은입니다. B: ＿＿＿＿, 지은 씨.

Answer

반갑습니다 [ban-gap-sseum-ni-da]

J. Practice saying this out loud: 안녕하세요. 처음 뵙겠습니다. 저는 [이름]예요. 잘 부탁드립니다. [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. cheo-eum bwep-kket-sseum-ni-da. jeo-neun [name] ye-yo. jal but-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.]

Answer

"Hello. Nice to meet you. I'm [name]. Please take care of me." → A complete, formal introduction!

📚

Everyday Cheat Sheet:

Formal "nice to meet you" → 처음 뵙겠습니다 / 반갑습니다 [cheo-eum bwep-kket-sseum-ni-da / ban-gap-sseum-ni-da]

Everyday "nice to meet you" → 만나서 반가워요 [man-na-seo ban-ga-wo-yo]

Casual "nice to meet you" → 반가워 [ban-ga-wo]

I'm → 저는 예요/이에요 (polite) / 나는 ___야/이야 (casual)

Polite closing → 잘 부탁드립니다 [jal but-tak-deu-rim-ni-da]

🎉 잘했어요! [jal-haess-eo-yo] You can now introduce yourself and say "nice to meet you" — formally AND casually! 만나서 반가워요! [man-na-seo ban-ga-wo-yo] 🤝✨