The Perfect Bow: Physical & Verbal Greetings

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TL;DR 🦄

👋 안녕하세요 [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo] — "Hello / Hi" — your all-purpose greeting

😊 안녕 [an-nyeong] — "Hi / Bye" — casual, for close friends only

🤔 잘 지내요? [jal ji-nae-yo] — "How are you?"

🙇 A small head-nod naturally goes WITH your greeting — don't overthink it!

👋 안녕히 가세요 [an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo] / 안녕히 계세요 [an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo] — "goodbye," depends on who's leaving

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🎧 Iru Helper Note — Head to the Korean Helper Widgets and listen to today's phrases at natural speed. 안녕하세요! [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo] 잘 지내요? [jal ji-nae-yo] — these are the phrases you'll use every single day. 🌟

🌈 The Big Picture

In Korean, greetings are simple and friendly. The one phrase you'll use the most is 안녕하세요 [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo] — it means "hello," "hi," and even "good morning/afternoon/evening," all in one. 👋 A small, natural head-nod usually happens at the same time you say it — that's just a habit, not something to study. In this lesson, you'll learn how to say hello, ask "how are you," and say goodbye the right way. 💛

🙇 The Nod: Keep It Simple

When you say 안녕하세요 [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo], a small nod of the head often happens at the same time — like a friendly little "dip." 🙆

For everyday people (coworkers, neighbors, store staff): just a small, relaxed nod.

For a first meeting or a more formal moment: a slightly bigger nod/bow.

The only rule that matters: nod while you speak, not before or after.

That's all you need to know for now — focus on the words below! 😊

🧳 Essential Greeting Phrase Kit

안녕하세요 [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo] — Hello / Hi 👋

안녕 [an-nyeong] — Hi / Bye (casual — close friends only) 😊

처음 뵙겠습니다 [cheo-eum bwep-kket-sseum-ni-da] — "Nice to meet you" (when meeting someone for the first time) 🙇

반갑습니다 [ban-gap-sseum-ni-da] — "Glad to meet you" 🤝

잘 지내요? [jal ji-nae-yo] — "How are you?" 🤔

네, 잘 지내요 [ne, jal ji-nae-yo] — "Yes, I'm doing well" 😄

오랜만이에요 [o-raen-ma-ni-e-yo] — "Long time no see!" 🙌

안녕히 가세요 [an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo] — "Goodbye" (said to the person who is leaving) 🚶

안녕히 계세요 [an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo] — "Goodbye" (said to the person who is staying) 🏠

감사합니다 [gam-sa-ham-ni-da] — "Thank you" 🙏

🛠️ Putting It Together

안녕하세요! [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo]

"Hello!" 👋 — Say this with a small nod. Use it for almost anyone — strangers, coworkers, teachers, store staff.

처음 뵙겠습니다. 반갑습니다. [cheo-eum bwep-kket-sseum-ni-da. ban-gap-sseum-ni-da]

"Nice to meet you. I'm glad to meet you." 🙇 — Say this the first time you meet someone, with a slightly bigger nod.

A: 잘 지내요? B: 네, 잘 지내요! [A: jal ji-nae-yo? B: ne, jal ji-nae-yo!]

A: "How are you?" B: "Yes, I'm doing well!" 😄 — This is just a friendly greeting — a quick, happy answer is all you need.

🗣️ Speaking Practice: Mini Dialogue

Read both roles out loud, then switch roles! A small nod naturally happens wherever you see 🙇.

민수: 안녕하세요! 처음 뵙겠습니다. 🙇

[Minsu: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo! cheo-eum bwep-kket-sseum-ni-da.]

Minsu: "Hello! Nice to meet you." 🙇

지은: 안녕하세요, 반갑습니다! 🙇

[Jieun: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, ban-gap-sseum-ni-da!]

Jieun: "Hello, glad to meet you too!" 🙇

민수: 저는 민수예요.

[Minsu: jeo-neun min-su-ye-yo.]

Minsu: "I'm Minsu."

지은: 반갑습니다, 민수 씨!

[Jieun: ban-gap-sseum-ni-da, min-su ssi!]

Jieun: "Nice to meet you, Minsu!"

(나중에) 민수: 안녕히 계세요! 👋

[(Later) Minsu: an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo!]

Minsu: "Goodbye!" (he's leaving, Jieun is staying) 👋

지은: 안녕히 가세요! 👋

[Jieun: an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo!]

Jieun: "Goodbye!" (to Minsu, who is leaving) 👋

🧭 Speaking Tip

Start every conversation with 안녕하세요 [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo] — it works almost everywhere, so when in doubt, use it. Save 안녕 [an-nyeong] for close friends. And remember: 잘 지내요? [jal ji-nae-yo] just means "how's it going?" — a short, happy answer like 네, 잘 지내요! [ne, jal ji-nae-yo] is perfect. 😊

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

❌ Using 안녕 [an-nyeong] with your boss, teacher, or someone older → ✅ Use 안녕하세요 [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo] instead — save 안녕 for close friends only.

❌ Giving a long, detailed answer to 잘 지내요? [jal ji-nae-yo] → ✅ Just say 네, 잘 지내요! [ne, jal ji-nae-yo] — it's a quick greeting, not a real question.

❌ Saying 안녕히 가세요 [an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo] when YOU are the one leaving → ✅ If you're leaving, say 안녕히 계세요 [an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo] to the person staying.

❌ Worrying too much about the nod → ✅ It happens naturally — just focus on saying the words clearly!

Great job — you now know how to say hello, ask how someone is doing, and say goodbye in Korean! 🙇✨

Try this exercise

Instructions: Choose the best phrase for each situation.

1. You meet a stranger for the first time. What do you say? ＿＿＿＿ 🙇

Answer

안녕하세요. 처음 뵙겠습니다. [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. cheo-eum bwep-kket-sseum-ni-da.] → "Hello. Nice to meet you." — the standard first-meeting greeting.

2. Your close friend says 안녕! [an-nyeong] to you. How do you reply? ＿＿＿＿

Answer

안녕! [an-nyeong] → Match their casual greeting with the same word.

3. Your friend is leaving, and you're staying. What do you say? ＿＿＿＿ 👋

Answer

안녕히 가세요 [an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo] → Said TO the person who is leaving.

4. Someone asks 잘 지내요? [jal ji-nae-yo]. Give a quick, happy reply. ＿＿＿＿

Answer

네, 잘 지내요! [ne, jal ji-nae-yo] → "Yes, I'm doing well!" — short and positive.

5. True or False: 안녕 [an-nyeong] is okay to use with your boss.

Answer

False → 안녕 is casual, for friends only. Use 안녕하세요 [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo] with your boss.

6. A friend you haven't seen in a long time walks in. What do you say? ＿＿＿＿

Answer

오랜만이에요! [o-raen-ma-ni-e-yo] → "Long time no see!"

7. You're staying home, and your friend who visited is now leaving. What do you say to them? ＿＿＿＿ 👋

Answer

안녕히 가세요 [an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo] → Said TO the person who is leaving.

8. Fill in the blank: A: 처음 뵙겠습니다. B: ＿＿＿＿.

Answer

반갑습니다 [ban-gap-sseum-ni-da] → "Glad to meet you" — a natural reply to a first greeting.

9. True or False: 잘 지내요? [jal ji-nae-yo] expects a long, detailed answer.

Answer

False → It's just a friendly greeting. A short 네, 잘 지내요! [ne, jal ji-nae-yo] is perfect.

10. Practice saying this out loud: 안녕하세요. 감사합니다. [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. gam-sa-ham-ni-da.]

Answer

"Hello. Thank you." → Two of the most useful phrases you'll ever say in Korean! 🙏

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Vocabulary Box

안녕하세요 [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo] → hello

안녕 [an-nyeong] → hi/bye (casual)

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

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

잘 지내요? [jal ji-nae-yo] → how are you?

네, 잘 지내요 [ne, jal ji-nae-yo] → I'm doing well

오랜만이에요 [o-raen-ma-ni-e-yo] → long time no see

안녕히 가세요 [an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo] → goodbye (to the one leaving)

안녕히 계세요 [an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo] → goodbye (to the one staying)

감사합니다 [gam-sa-ham-ni-da] → thank you

Pitfalls 💡

잘 지내요? = just a greeting — keep your answer short

안녕 = friends only, never with elders/bosses

가세요/계세요 — match to who's leaving vs. staying

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

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🎯 Practice Hub — The Perfect Bow: Physical & Verbal Greetings

안녕하세요! [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo] Let's practice everyday Korean greetings — saying hello, asking how someone is, and saying goodbye. 🙇✨

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

Exercise 1 — Say Hello 👋

A. You greet a close friend on the street. ＿＿＿＿

Answer

안녕! [an-nyeong] → "Hi!" — casual, for close friends.

B. You meet your friend's parents for the first time. ＿＿＿＿

Answer

안녕하세요. 처음 뵙겠습니다. [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. cheo-eum bwep-kket-sseum-ni-da.] → "Hello. Nice to meet you." — polite, formal first meeting.

C. A cashier hands you your change. ＿＿＿＿

Answer

감사합니다 [gam-sa-ham-ni-da] → "Thank you" — polite, with a small nod.

D. You see your teacher in the hallway. ＿＿＿＿

Answer

안녕하세요 [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo] → "Hello" — polite greeting for teachers, elders, and most adults.

E. Your classmate waves at you from across the room. ＿＿＿＿

Answer

안녕! [an-nyeong] → A quick, casual "hi" is enough.

F. You walk into your first day at a new job. ＿＿＿＿

Answer

안녕하세요. 처음 뵙겠습니다. 반갑습니다. [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. cheo-eum bwep-kket-sseum-ni-da. ban-gap-sseum-ni-da.] → The full polite greeting for a new, formal setting.

G. You pass your neighbor in the elevator every morning. ＿＿＿＿

Answer

안녕하세요 [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo] → Friendly but polite — perfect for neighbors.

H. A friend you haven't seen in a long time spots you. What might THEY say? ＿＿＿＿

Answer

오랜만이야! [o-raen-ma-ni-ya] → "Long time no see!" (casual, for friends)

I. You hold the door for a stranger, and they thank you. What did they likely say? ＿＿＿＿

Answer

감사합니다 [gam-sa-ham-ni-da] → "Thank you" — the polite, everyday form.

J. Your friend asks how you've been. ＿＿＿＿

Answer

잘 지내요? [jal ji-nae-yo] → "How are you?" / "How have you been?"

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Quick Reference:

Friends → 안녕 [an-nyeong]

Everyone else → 안녕하세요 [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo]

First meeting → add 처음 뵙겠습니다 [cheo-eum bwep-kket-sseum-ni-da]

A small nod goes with all of these!

Exercise 2 — Say Goodbye: 가세요 vs. 계세요 🚶

A. You're leaving your friend's house, and they're staying inside. What do you say? ＿＿＿＿

Answer

안녕히 계세요 [an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo] → You're leaving, so you say this TO the person staying.

B. Your teacher is leaving the classroom, and you're staying at your desk. What do you say to them? ＿＿＿＿

Answer

안녕히 가세요 [an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo] → They're leaving, so this is the right phrase.

C. Fill in the blank: A: 안녕히 가세요! B: ＿＿＿＿! (B is staying)

Answer

안녕히 계세요 [an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo] → B is staying, so B replies with this.

D. You and a friend are both leaving a restaurant. What do you say to the staff who are staying? ＿＿＿＿

Answer

안녕히 계세요 [an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo] → You're both leaving, staff are staying.

E. True or False: 안녕히 가세요 and 안녕히 계세요 mean exactly the same thing and can be swapped.

Answer

False → They depend on who is leaving vs. staying.

F. You're ending a phone call. Which phrase is more common — 안녕히 가세요 or 안녕히 계세요?

Answer

안녕히 계세요 [an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo] → Common for phone goodbyes.

G. Translate: "Goodbye!" (said to someone walking away from you)

Answer

안녕히 가세요 [an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo]

H. Translate: "Goodbye!" (said to someone who is staying as you leave)

Answer

안녕히 계세요 [an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo]

I. You're staying at a café, and your friend is getting up to leave. What do you say? ＿＿＿＿

Answer

안녕히 가세요 [an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo] → Your friend is leaving.

J. You're the one getting up to leave the café. What do you say to your friend who is staying? ＿＿＿＿

Answer

안녕히 계세요 [an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo] → You're leaving, your friend is staying.

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Quick Rule:

안녕히 가세요 [an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo] → to the person GOING

안녕히 계세요 [an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo] → to the person STAYING

On the phone? Use 계세요.

Exercise 3 — Mix It All Together 🗣️

A. You meet your new roommate for the first time. ＿＿＿＿

Answer

안녕하세요. 처음 뵙겠습니다. 반갑습니다. [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. cheo-eum bwep-kket-sseum-ni-da. ban-gap-sseum-ni-da.]

B. A close friend texts you 안녕! [an-nyeong]. Reply the same way. ＿＿＿＿

Answer

안녕! [an-nyeong]

C. You want to thank the bus driver as you get off. ＿＿＿＿

Answer

감사합니다! [gam-sa-ham-ni-da] → A quick "thank you" as you exit.

D. Your coworker is heading home, and you're staying to finish work. ＿＿＿＿

Answer

안녕히 가세요! [an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo] → They're leaving.

E. Now YOU are the one leaving the office. What do you say to your coworker who is staying? ＿＿＿＿

Answer

안녕히 계세요! [an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo] → You're leaving, they're staying.

F. You haven't seen your cousin in a long time and just walked into the room. ＿＿＿＿

Answer

안녕! 오랜만이야! [an-nyeong! o-raen-ma-ni-ya!] → "Hi! Long time no see!" (casual, for family/friends)

G. A coworker asks 잘 지내요? [jal ji-nae-yo]. Give a short, polite reply. ＿＿＿＿

Answer

네, 잘 지내요. [ne, jal ji-nae-yo] → "Yes, I'm doing well."

H. What's the casual word for "hi/bye," and who can you use it with?

Answer

안녕 [an-nyeong] → Close friends and people your age or younger — not for bosses, teachers, or elders.

I. What's the all-purpose polite word for "hello," safe to use almost anywhere?

Answer

안녕하세요 [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo] → Works for strangers, coworkers, teachers, and elders.

J. Practice saying this out loud: "안녕하세요! 처음 뵙겠습니다. 반갑습니다." [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo! cheo-eum bwep-kket-sseum-ni-da. ban-gap-sseum-ni-da.]

Answer

"Hello! Nice to meet you. Glad to meet you." → Perfect for any first meeting!

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Everyday Cheat Sheet:

Hello → 안녕하세요 [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo] (안녕 for friends)

How are you? → 잘 지내요? [jal ji-nae-yo]

Long time no see → 오랜만이에요 [o-raen-ma-ni-e-yo]

Goodbye → 가세요 (to them) / 계세요 (from you)

🎉 잘했어요! [jal-haess-eo-yo] You've learned how to say hello, ask how someone is, and say goodbye in Korean! 안녕하세요! [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo] 🙇✨