πŸšͺ

Saying Goodbye: Staying vs. Leaving

Keywords
μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš” / κ°€μ„Έμš”
Lesson #
S
Done
Section
Basic Speaking
⚑
TL;DR
  • 🚢 μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”. [an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo] β€” "Goodbye" β€” said by the person staying, to the person leaving.
  • 🏠 μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš”. [an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo] β€” "Goodbye" β€” said by the person leaving, to the person staying.
  • πŸ‘‹ μ•ˆλ…•! [an-nyeong!] β€” "Bye!" (casual, works either direction)
  • πŸ” 또 λ΄μš”. [tto bwa-yo] β€” "See you again."
  • πŸš— μ‘°μ‹¬νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”. [jo-sim-hi ga-se-yo] β€” "Go safely / take care."
πŸ”Š
Iru Helper Note: Tap any purple phrase to hear it spoken aloud, or use the Korean Helper Widgets to slow it down. Try it now with μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”. [an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo]
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🌈 The Big Picture

This is one of the most famous "gotchas" in Korean: there isn't just one word for "goodbye" β€” which one you use depends on whether you're the one leaving or the one staying. Mix them up, and you'll be telling someone to "stay well" when you meant to wish them a safe trip (or vice versa). Once you internalize this one rule, goodbyes become easy β€” and you'll sound noticeably more natural.

πŸšͺ The Golden Rule: Who's Staying, Who's Going?

Both κ°€μ„Έμš” and κ³„μ„Έμš” come from the polite command form of a verb:
  • κ°€μ„Έμš” comes from κ°€λ‹€ ("to go") β†’ said TO someone who is going/leaving. You (the speaker) are staying behind, so you wish them a good trip: "go well."
  • κ³„μ„Έμš” comes from κ³„μ‹œλ‹€ ("to stay/be," honorific) β†’ said TO someone who is staying. You (the speaker) are the one leaving, so you wish them well where they are: "stay well."
Memory trick: 계 sounds like "stay" rhymes with "okay" β€” say κ³„μ„Έμš” to the person who's "okay, staying here." κ°€ is short and forward-moving, like someone walking away β€” say κ°€μ„Έμš” to the person who's going.
Common real-life scenarios:
  • Leaving a friend's house β†’ YOU say μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš” (to your friend who's staying home), and they say μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš” (to you, who's leaving).
  • Leaving a convenience store β†’ the clerk (staying behind the counter) says μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš” to you; you can say μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš” back, or just nod/say κ°μ‚¬ν•©λ‹ˆλ‹€.
  • Both of you are leaving at the same time (e.g., walking out of a restaurant together) β†’ neither of you is "staying," so use μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš” to each other, or simply λ‹€μŒμ— λ΄μš” / 또 λ΄μš”.

🧳 Essential Phrase Kit

  • μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”. [an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo] β€” Goodbye (to the person leaving). 🚢
  • μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš”. [an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo] β€” Goodbye (to the person staying). 🏠
  • μ•ˆλ…•! [an-nyeong!] β€” Bye! (casual, either direction) πŸ‘‹
  • 잘 κ°€. [jal ga] β€” Go well (casual, to the person leaving). 🚢
  • 잘 μžˆμ–΄. [jal i-sseo] β€” Stay well (casual, to the person staying). 🏠
  • λ‹€μŒμ— λ΄μš”. [da-eum-e bwa-yo] β€” See you next time. πŸ”
  • 또 λ΄μš”. [tto bwa-yo] β€” See you again. πŸ”
  • 내일 λ΄μš”. [nae-il bwa-yo] β€” See you tomorrow. πŸ“…
  • λ“€μ–΄κ°€μ„Έμš”. [deu-reo-ga-se-yo] β€” Go on (in)! (said when seeing someone off near home) 🏑
  • μ‘°μ‹¬νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”. [jo-sim-hi ga-se-yo] β€” Go safely / take care. πŸš—

πŸ› οΈ Putting It Together

  1. (Leaving a friend's house) μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš”! 였늘 μ¦κ±°μ› μ–΄μš”. [an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo! o-neul jeul-geo-wo-sseo-yo] β€” "Goodbye (stay well)! I had fun today."
      2. You're the one leaving, so κ³„μ„Έμš” β€” wishing your friend well as they stay home.
  1. (Friend leaving your house) μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”. μ‘°μ‹¬νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”! [an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo. jo-sim-hi ga-se-yo!] β€” "Goodbye (go well). Take care on your way!"
      2. You're staying, so κ°€μ„Έμš” β€” and adding μ‘°μ‹¬νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš” is a warm, common extra touch, especially at night or before a long trip.
  1. 민수: μ•ˆλ…•! 내일 봐! 지은: μ–΄, 잘 κ°€! [min-su: an-nyeong! nae-il bwa! / ji-eun: eo, jal ga!] β€” "Min-su: Bye! See you tomorrow! Ji-eun: Yeah, go well!"
      2. Among close friends/same age, μ•ˆλ…• works for both people, but 잘 κ°€ (to the person leaving) is a nice casual addition.

πŸ—£οΈ Speaking Practice: Mini Dialogues

Dialogue 1 β€” Leaving a friend's house (Everyday/Casual mix)
  • 사라: μ € 이제 κ°€μ•Ό λΌμš”. 였늘 정말 μ¦κ±°μ› μ–΄μš”. [jeo i-je ga-ya dwae-yo. o-neul jeong-mal jeul-geo-wo-sseo-yo] β€” "I have to go now. Today was really fun."
  • μˆ˜μ§„: λ²Œμ¨μš”? κ·Έλž˜μš”, μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”. μ‘°μ‹¬νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”! [beol-sseo-yo? geu-rae-yo, an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo. jo-sim-hi ga-se-yo!] β€” "Already? Okay, goodbye. Take care!"
  • 사라: λ„€, μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš”! λ‹€μŒμ— 또 λ΄μš”. [ne, an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo! da-eum-e tto bwa-yo] β€” "Okay, goodbye (you stay well)! See you again sometime."
Dialogue 2 β€” Leaving a cafΓ© (Customer ↔ Staff)
  • 직원: λ§›μžˆκ²Œ λ“œμ…¨μ–΄μš”? μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”! [ma-sit-ge deu-syeo-sseo-yo? an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo!] β€” "Did you enjoy your meal? Goodbye!"
  • μ†λ‹˜: λ„€, 잘 λ¨Ήμ—ˆμŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€. μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš”. [ne, jal meo-geo-sseum-ni-da. an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo] β€” "Yes, it was delicious, thank you. Goodbye (stay well)."

🧭 Speaking Tip

Quick test before you speak: "Am I the one walking out the door right now?" If yes β†’ μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš” (you're leaving them behind). If no, the other person is leaving β†’ μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”. When both of you are heading out together, skip the dilemma entirely and use λ‹€μŒμ— λ΄μš” or 또 λ΄μš”.

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

  • ❌ Saying μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš” to someone while YOU walk out the door β†’ βœ… μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš” β€” you're leaving, so wish them well staying behind.
  • ❌ Using μ•ˆλ…•/잘 κ°€ with your boss, teacher, or someone much older β†’ βœ… μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”/κ³„μ„Έμš” β€” the casual forms can sound too familiar in formal relationships.
  • ❌ Mixing up κ³„μ„Έμš” (stay) and κ°€μ„Έμš” (go) because they sound similar β†’ βœ… Remember: 계 = stay in place, κ°€ = go/move away.
  • ❌ Saying nothing when leaving a shop or restaurant β†’ βœ… A quick μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš” (or just returning the staff's μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš” with a nod) is polite and expected.
πŸŽ‰ μž˜ν–ˆμ–΄μš”! [jal-haess-eo-yo] You've mastered Korea's most famous goodbye puzzle β€” μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”!
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Try this exercise
1. You're leaving your friend's house. What do you say to them?
μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš”. [an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo] (they're staying)
2. Your friend is leaving your house. What do you say to them?
μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”. [an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo] (they're going)
3. Translate casually, to a friend who's leaving: "Go well."
잘 κ°€. [jal ga]
4. Translate casually, to a friend who's staying: "Stay well."
잘 μžˆμ–΄. [jal i-sseo]
5. What does κ³„μ„Έμš” come from, and what does that tell you about who it's for?
κ³„μ‹œλ‹€ ("to stay/be," honorific) β€” it's said to the person who is staying/remaining.
6. You and a friend are both leaving a restaurant together. What's a natural thing to say to each other?
μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš” (to each other) or λ‹€μŒμ— λ΄μš” / 또 λ΄μš”. [da-eum-e bwa-yo / tto bwa-yo]
7. Translate: "Go safely / take care" (often added when someone has a long trip).
μ‘°μ‹¬νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”. [jo-sim-hi ga-se-yo]
8. A store clerk says μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš” to you as you leave. Is this directed at you (the customer) or themselves?
At you, the customer β€” you're the one leaving, they're staying.
9. Fill in the blank: "See you tomorrow" β†’ ___ λ΄μš”.
내일 λ΄μš”. [nae-il bwa-yo]
10. Practice aloud: You're leaving a friend's house after a fun visit. Say goodbye and that you had fun.
μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš”! 였늘 정말 μ¦κ±°μ› μ–΄μš”. [an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo! o-neul jeong-mal jeul-geo-wo-sseo-yo]
πŸ“š
Vocabulary Box
  • μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”. [an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo] β€” Goodbye (to the one leaving)
  • μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš”. [an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo] β€” Goodbye (to the one staying)
  • μ•ˆλ…•! [an-nyeong!] β€” Bye! (casual)
  • 잘 κ°€. [jal ga] β€” Go well (casual, to leaver)
  • 잘 μžˆμ–΄. [jal i-sseo] β€” Stay well (casual, to stayer)
  • λ‹€μŒμ— λ΄μš”. [da-eum-e bwa-yo] β€” See you next time.
  • 또 λ΄μš”. [tto bwa-yo] β€” See you again.
  • 내일 λ΄μš”. [nae-il bwa-yo] β€” See you tomorrow.
  • λ“€μ–΄κ°€μ„Έμš”. [deu-reo-ga-se-yo] β€” Go on in!
  • μ‘°μ‹¬νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”. [jo-sim-hi ga-se-yo] β€” Go safely / take care.
Pitfalls πŸ’‘: κ°€μ„Έμš” = for the one going Β· κ³„μ„Έμš” = for the one staying Β· save casual μ•ˆλ…•/잘 κ°€ for friends Β· both leaving β†’ λ‹€μŒμ— λ΄μš”
🌱
Want more reps? Head down to the Practice Hub below for 30 more questions across 3 exercises.
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πŸ“¦
🎯 Practice Hub β€” Saying Goodbye: Staying vs. Leaving
Ready for more reps? Work through these 3 exercises (30 items total). Say each phrase out loud as you go β€” the Korean Helper Widgets can help with pronunciation.

Exercise 1: Who Says It β€” the One Staying or the One Leaving?

A. You are leaving a coworker's office. What do you say?
μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš”. [an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo] (they're staying)
B. A guest at your home is putting on their shoes to leave. What do you say to them?
μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”. [an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo] (they're going)
C. You're hanging up the phone after visiting a friend's parents β€” you're heading out. What do you say?
μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš”. [an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo]
D. A delivery person drops off a package and turns to leave. What might you say?
μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”. [an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo]
E. You're a student leaving the classroom while your teacher stays. What do you say?
μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš”. [an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo]
F. A taxi driver drops you off and you step out β€” what might the driver say to you?
μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”. [an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo] (you're leaving the taxi)
G. You finish a video call and you're the one "leaving" the conversation β€” casual version to a friend who's staying online?
잘 μžˆμ–΄! [jal i-sseo!]
H. Two friends are walking out of a movie theater together. What's natural?
μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš” to each other, or simply λ‹€μŒμ— λ΄μš” / 또 λ΄μš”.
I. You're staying at a cafΓ© table while your friend goes to catch a bus. What do you say?
μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”. μ‘°μ‹¬νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”! [an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo. jo-sim-hi ga-se-yo!]
J. You're leaving a job interview β€” what do you say to the interviewers who remain in the room?
μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš”. (κ°μ‚¬ν•©λ‹ˆλ‹€ first is also expected) [an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo]
πŸ’‘
Quick Reference
  • μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš” 🚢 β†’ said TO the person leaving (you're staying)
  • μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš” 🏠 β†’ said TO the person staying (you're leaving)
  • Both leaving β†’ μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš” to each other, or λ‹€μŒμ—/또 λ΄μš”

Exercise 2: Formal, Everyday, or Casual?

A. μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”.
Everyday/Formal-safe 😊🎩 (works for almost anyone)
B. 잘 κ°€.
Casual πŸ‘« (close friends, peers/younger)
C. μ•ˆλ…•!
Casual πŸ‘«
D. μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš”.
Everyday/Formal-safe 😊🎩
E. 잘 μžˆμ–΄.
Casual πŸ‘«
F. μ‘°μ‹¬νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”.
Everyday 😊 (warm, polite, works broadly)
G. λ‹€μŒμ— λ΄μš”.
Everyday 😊
H. 또 봐.
Casual πŸ‘« (note dropped μš”)
I. λ“€μ–΄κ°€μ„Έμš”.
Everyday 😊 (used when seeing someone off near home)
J. 내일 λ΄μš”.
Everyday 😊
🎩
Quick Rule: Adding Politeness
  • Drop μš” β†’ casual (잘 κ°€, μ•ˆλ…•, 또 봐)
  • Keep -μ„Έμš” β†’ safe everyday default for almost everyone
  • Add μ‘°μ‹¬νžˆ/λ“€μ–΄κ°€μ„Έμš” β†’ extra warmth, common with family & close acquaintances

Exercise 3: Mix It All Together

A. Fill in this exchange: A (leaving): "μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ !" B (staying): "μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ . μ‘°μ‹¬νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”!"
A: μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš”! B: μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”. μ‘°μ‹¬νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”!
B. Translate: "I had fun today. Goodbye (I'm leaving, you stay well)!"
였늘 μ¦κ±°μ› μ–΄μš”. μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš”! [o-neul jeul-geo-wo-sseo-yo. an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo!]
C. A cafΓ© worker says μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš” to you. What's a polite reply?
μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš”. (or κ°μ‚¬ν•©λ‹ˆλ‹€ + μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš”) [an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo]
D. Your two friends are leaving together β€” give a casual goodbye that covers "see you again."
μ•ˆλ…•! 또 λ΄μš”! [an-nyeong! tto bwa-yo!]
E. Which phrase is WRONG to say to a person who is staying behind while you leave: μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš” / μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”?
μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš” is wrong here β€” it should be μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš”.
F. Translate: "See you tomorrow! Go safely."
내일 λ΄μš”! μ‘°μ‹¬νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”. [nae-il bwa-yo! jo-sim-hi ga-se-yo]
G. You walked a friend partway home and now they continue on alone toward their apartment. What do you say?
λ“€μ–΄κ°€μ„Έμš”! [deu-reo-ga-se-yo!] β€” "Go on in (safely)!"
H. True or False: μ•ˆλ…• can be used for both "hello" and "goodbye."
True β€” context tells you which, and it's casual either way.
I. Fill in: λ‹€μŒμ— ___! (See you next time!)
λ‹€μŒμ— λ΄μš”! [da-eum-e bwa-yo!]
J. Practice aloud: Full goodbye exchange between a guest (leaving) and host (staying), including "take care."
Guest: μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš”! Host: μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”. μ‘°μ‹¬νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”! [an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo! / an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo. jo-sim-hi ga-se-yo!]
βœ…
Everyday Cheat Sheet
  • I'm leaving, they're staying β†’ μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš”
  • They're leaving, I'm staying β†’ μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”
  • We're both leaving β†’ λ‹€μŒμ—/또 λ΄μš”
  • Add warmth β†’ μ‘°μ‹¬νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš” / λ“€μ–΄κ°€μ„Έμš”
πŸŽ‰ μž˜ν–ˆμ–΄μš”! [jal-haess-eo-yo] You'll never mix up Korean goodbyes again β€” μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”!