Say hello and goodbye in Korean

One greeting, many moments

안녕하세요 is a useful starting point when meeting a teacher, a shop worker, or someone you do not know well. Unlike “good morning,” it does not depend on the time of day. Say it at a comfortable pace. A small nod can accompany it, but the words already do the main work of greeting the other person politely.

Save 안녕 for a closer relationship

안녕 is a casual hello or goodbye. You may hear it among close friends or when someone speaks to a younger child. It is not simply a shorter version that works in every situation. If you are a new student and are unsure how to address someone, begin with 안녕하세요. You can move to casual speech when the relationship and context make that welcome.

Ask who is leaving

The two polite goodbye phrases are easier when you think about the other person. If the person you are addressing is going away, use 안녕히 가세요. If you are leaving while that person stays, use 안녕히 계세요. Picture leaving a café: you are walking out, while the barista stays at work, so 안녕히 계세요 fits. When the situation is less clear, use the relationship and direction of the person you are addressing as your guide.

A thank-you goes a long way

감사합니다 is a common polite thank-you. 고마워요 is also polite, often with a more conversational feel. 고마워 is casual. You do not need to master every speech level before speaking, but learning the social setting alongside a phrase prevents awkward surprises. Start with the polite phrases in your first Haru lesson.

Rehearse a real moment

Imagine meeting a new teacher. Say 안녕하세요, receive a handout, and say 감사합니다. Then imagine leaving the classroom while the teacher remains. Which goodbye fits? Practicing the situation, rather than repeating an English translation alone, helps you choose the phrase when you actually need it. Repeat the scene with a friend who is leaving first and notice how the goodbye changes.

Keep these examples handy

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