How to Say Hi in Korean
Learn how to say hi in Korean. '안녕' (annyeong) is the casual hi, while '안녕하세요' (annyeonghaseyo) is the polite hello. Pronunciation guide and formal vs informal tips.
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Quick answer
To say a casual 'hi' in Korean, say '안녕' (annyeong, ahn-NYUHNG) — used only with close friends, family, or people younger than you. For anyone you don't know well, use the polite '안녕하세요' (annyeonghaseyo, ahn-nyuhng-ha-SEH-yo), which works as both 'hi' and 'hello' in almost any situation.
안녕
/ahn-NYUHNG/ — Korean
How to Say Hi in Korean
Korean greetings depend heavily on who you are talking to. The same friendly “hi” you use with a close friend would sound rude to a stranger or an elder. The good news: one polite phrase covers almost every situation safely.
The Casual Phrase
안녕 — pronounced ahn-NYUHNG
This is the relaxed, friendly “hi” you say to close friends, siblings, or someone clearly younger than you. It is short, warm, and very common among peers.
Copy the Phrase
The casual Korean word for “hi” is 안녕 (ahn-NYUHNG). The polite, all-purpose version is 안녕하세요 (ahn-nyuhng-ha-SEH-yo).
Formal vs. Informal
Korean has built-in levels of politeness (called jondaetmal for formal speech and banmal for casual speech). Choosing the right one matters more than in English.
| Korean | Romanization | Pronunciation | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 안녕 | annyeong | ahn-NYUHNG | Casual — close friends, family, younger people |
| 안녕하세요 | annyeonghaseyo | ahn-nyuhng-ha-SEH-yo | Polite — the safe default for almost everyone |
| 안녕하십니까 | annyeonghasimnikka | ahn-nyuhng-ha-sim-NEE-kka | Very formal — business, news, military, speeches |
When in doubt, use 안녕하세요. It is never rude to be slightly too polite in Korean, but using casual 안녕 with the wrong person can come across as disrespectful.
Related Greetings
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 여보세요 | yeoboseyo | Hello? (on the phone only) |
| 반가워요 | bangawoyo | Nice to meet you (polite) |
| 반가워 | bangawo | Nice to meet you (casual) |
| 잘 지냈어요? | jal jinaesseoyo? | Have you been well? / How have you been? |
| 오랜만이에요 | oraenmanieyo | Long time no see (polite) |
| 하이 | hai | ”Hi” (borrowed English, very casual/trendy) |
Young Koreans sometimes use the English loanword 하이 (hai) in texts and with friends, but 안녕 is far more natural and traditional.
Pronunciation Tips
- 안녕 = ahn (like “on”) + nyuhng. The “ny” is a single soft glide, like the middle of “canyon”, and the word ends in a clear “-ng”.
- Keep Korean syllables even and flat. Unlike English, there is no heavy stressed syllable — just a slight rise on the parts marked in capitals.
- In 안녕하세요, the final 요 (yo) is the politeness ending. Hearing “-yo” at the end of a sentence is a quick clue that someone is speaking politely.
Cultural Notes
A Korean greeting is often paired with a small bow — a quick nod of the head for casual situations, and a deeper bow for elders or formal settings. Pairing 안녕하세요 with a slight bow is the standard, respectful way to greet someone.
Because politeness levels are baked into the language, Koreans often gauge age and social status early in a conversation to know which speech level to use. As a learner, defaulting to 안녕하세요 signals respect and is always a safe choice — you can switch to casual 안녕 later, once a friendship is established.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say hi in Korean?
Casually, say '안녕' (annyeong, ahn-NYUHNG) to close friends or younger people. Politely and safely in almost any setting, say '안녕하세요' (annyeonghaseyo, ahn-nyuhng-ha-SEH-yo). When unsure of someone's status, always default to the polite form to avoid being rude.
How do you pronounce 안녕 and 안녕하세요?
'안녕' is ahn-NYUHNG — 'ahn' like 'on', then 'nyuhng' with a soft 'ny' glide and a final 'ng'. '안녕하세요' is ahn-nyuhng-ha-SEH-yo, with light stress on the 'SEH'. Korean is fairly flat in stress, so keep syllables even and don't over-emphasize.
What is the difference between formal and informal hi in Korean?
'안녕' (annyeong) is informal/casual — only for close friends, family, or younger people. '안녕하세요' (annyeonghaseyo) is the standard polite form for strangers, elders, coworkers, and customers. For very formal situations there is '안녕하십니까' (annyeonghasimnikka), used in business, news, and the military.
What does 안녕 literally mean in Korean?
'안녕' (annyeong) literally means 'peace' or 'well-being', from the Sino-Korean characters 安寧. So greeting someone is essentially wishing them peace. The same word '안녕' is also used as a casual 'bye', so context tells you whether it means hi or goodbye.
How do you greet someone on the phone in Korean?
On the phone, Koreans say '여보세요' (yeoboseyo, yuh-bo-SEH-yo), which means 'hello?' and is used only for answering or starting a phone call. In person you would still use '안녕하세요', not '여보세요'.