Essential Beginner Korean Phrases

Greetings

• Casual hello/bye: 안녕 (annyeong) – “peace”; use with friends/younger.

• Standard/polite hello: 안녕하세요? (annyeong-haseyo?) – lit. “Are you at peace?”

• Reply often starts with 네 (ne) – “yes”, then repeat 안녕하세요.

• Goodbye (you leave, other stays): 안녕히 계세요 (annyeong-hi gyeseyo) – “please stay peacefully”.

• Goodbye (casual, you leave): 잘 있어 (jal isseo) – “stay well”.

• Goodbye (other leaves): 안녕히 가세요 (annyeong-hi gaseyo) – “please go peacefully”.

• Goodbye (casual, other leaves): 잘 가 (jal ga) – “go well”.

Self-Introduction

Informal

안녕, [Name]야/이야. 반가워.
• 야 after vowel; 이야 after consonant.
• 반가워 = “nice to meet you”.

Formal

안녕하세요, [Name]입니다. 반가워요.
• 입니다 = polite “to be”.
• 반가워요 adds 요 to sound polite.

Thanking & Responses

• Formal: 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) – “I do thanks.”

• Very formal: 대단히 감사합니다 – “thank you very much.”

• Friendly polite: 감사해요 (gamsahaeyo).

• Casual: 고마워 (gomawo).

Responses to thanks ("you’re welcome")

• 아니에요 (anieyo) – “no (it’s nothing)”.

Asking “Do you speak …?”

• 영어 하세요? (yeongeo haseyo?) – “Do you do English?”

• 영어 할 수 있어요? (… hal su isseoyo?) – “Can you do English?”

• Super-polite: 실례지만, 영어 할 수 있어요? – “Excuse me, but …”.

• Replace 영어 with desired language: 일본어 (Japanese), 중국어 (Chinese), 스페인어 (Spanish), 독일어 (German), 프랑스어 (French).

Apologizing & Excusing

• Excuse me / to get attention: 실례합니다 (sillye-hamnida).

• Excuse me, but …: 실례하지만 …

• I’m sorry (bump/mistake): 죄송합니다 (joesong-hamnida).

• Casual sorry to friends: 미안해 (mianhae).

• Add 정말 (jeongmal) for emphasis: 정말 죄송합니다 – “I’m truly sorry.”

Getting a waiter’s attention

• 여기요! (yeogiyo!) – “over here, please.”

• 저기요! (jeogiyo!) – “excuse me, you there.”

Numbers – Sino-Korean 0–10

Politeness Particles Snapshot

• 요 (yo): add to verbs/adjectives for polite tone.

• 야/이야: informal “to be”.

• 입니다: formal “to be”.

Keep bows small when introducing yourself: males hands at sides, females hands in front.