Greetings

1. 안녕하세요

   An-nyeong-ha-se-yo

   Hello

   Usage

   Polite greeting usable at any time of day

   Grammar Note

   "안녕" (peace) + "하세요" (honorific "are you"). This polite form works at any time of day.

2. 감사합니다

   Gam-sa-ham-ni-da

   Thank you

   Usage

   Most formal way to express gratitude

   Grammar Note

   "감사" (gratitude) + "합니다" (formal polite ending). Used in formal settings like business.

3. 실례합니다

   Sil-lye-ham-ni-da

   Excuse me

   Usage

   Polite expression when addressing someone or passing through

   Grammar Note

   Literally "I am being rude/discourteous". Used to politely get someone's attention or pass by.

4. 안녕히 계세요

   An-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo

   Goodbye (to person staying)

   Usage

   Said by the person leaving to the person staying

   Grammar Note

   Literally "please stay in peace". Said by the one leaving. The person staying replies "안녕히 가세요".

5. 잘 부탁드립니다

   Jal bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da

   I am in your care / Please treat me well

   Usage

   Standard phrase at first meetings or when starting a collaborative task

   Grammar Note

   Literally "I humbly ask you to treat me well". An essential phrase at first meetings and when starting new work together.

6. 안녕히 가세요

   An-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo

   Goodbye (to person leaving)

   Usage

   Said by the person staying to the person who is leaving

   Grammar Note

   Honorific imperative of "가다" (to go). Said by the person staying. Pair with "안녕히 계세요".

7. 오랜만이에요

   O-raen-man-i-e-yo

   It's been a long time

   Usage

   Used when meeting someone you haven't seen for a while

   Grammar Note

   Contracted from "오래간만이에요". For more formal speech: "오랜만입니다".

8. 천만에요

   Cheon-man-e-yo

   You're welcome / Don't mention it

   Usage

   Polite response when someone thanks you

   Grammar Note

   From "천만의 말씀" (words of ten million — meaning "not at all"). "아니에요" is also used for "you're welcome".

9. 잘 지내셨어요?

   Jal ji-nae-syeo-sseo-yo?

   Have you been well?

   Usage

   Ask how someone has been, often when meeting after some time apart

   Grammar Note

   "지내다" (to get along/live) + honorific "-시-" + past "-었-" + polite "-어요".

10. 또 봬요

    Tto bwae-yo

    See you again

    Usage

    A warm farewell expressing the hope to meet again

    Grammar Note

    "뵈다" is the humble form of "보다" (to see). "봬요" is the contracted form of "뵈어요". Slightly more polite than "또 봐요".

11. 화장실이 어디에 있어요?

    Hwa-jang-sil-i eo-di-e i-sseo-yo?

    Where is the toilet/bathroom?

    Usage

    Essential phrase for finding restrooms while traveling in Korea

    Grammar Note

    "Eodie isseoyo?" is the standard structure for asking where something is. "화장실" derives from Chinese characters 化粧室

12. 한국어를 못해요

    Han-gu-geo-reul mot-hae-yo

    I can't speak Korean

    Usage

    Used by foreign visitors in Korea to say they cannot speak Korean

    Grammar Note

    "못" is a negative adverb meaning "cannot". "못해요" is a colloquial form of "할 수 없어요" (I am unable to)

13. 또 올게요

    Tto ol-ge-yo

    I'll come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop — a friendly way to signal you enjoyed it

14. 정말 즐거웠어요

    Jeong-mal jeul-geo-wo-sseo-yo

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Said when parting, to share how much you enjoyed it

15. 고마워, 또 봐

    Go-ma-wo, tto bwa

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual farewell for someone you've become friendly with

    Grammar Note

    Casual "banmal" speech; with elders add "-요": "고마워요, 또 봐요"

16. 안녕히 주무세요

    An-nyeong-hi ju-mu-se-yo

    Good night

    Usage

    Said just before going to sleep — not a farewell, but a bedtime greeting

17. 다녀올게요

    Da-nyeo-ol-ge-yo

    I'm heading out

    Usage

    Said when leaving your lodging for a while — Korean has a near-exact idiom for this, much like Japanese "ittekimasu"

18. 다녀왔습니다

    Da-nyeo-wat-seum-ni-da

    I'm back

    Usage

    Said upon returning to your lodging — Korean has a near-exact idiom for this, much like Japanese "tadaima"

19. 저 먼저 가보겠습니다

    Jeo meon-jeo ga-bo-get-seum-ni-da

    I'll be going now

    Usage

    A polite phrase for excusing yourself when leaving before others

20. 별말씀을요

    Byeol-mal-sseum-eul-yo

    You're welcome

    Usage

    An alternative to "천만에요" for replying to thanks

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