How to Say Hi in Korean

Quick Summary

• If you want to remember only one phrase for visiting Seoul, stick to “Annyeonghaseyo,” which is polite and widely used in everyday conversation.
• To close friends, younger family members, or kids, you can say “Annyeong!”
• For a very formal situation like a job interview, you’d want to say “Annyeonghasimnikka!”

1. Annyeong, Annyeonghaseyo, Annyeonghasimnikka

These three versions of the word “Hello” are the most common and flexible greetings in Korean.

• Annyeong (안녕): Informal and casual. Only use this with close friends, family, or children.
• Annyeonghaseyo (안녕하세요): Polite and widely used in everyday conversation with strangers, acquaintances, and coworkers.
• Annyeonghasimnikka (안녕하십니까): Very formal. Used in speeches, news broadcasts, or highly respectful professional settings.

2. Joheun Achim, Joheun Achimieyo, Joheun Achimimnida

Korean technically has a phrase equivalent to “Good morning”.

• Joheun Achim (좋은 아침): Informal and casual. Usually, a boss says it in the office.
• Joheun Achimieyo (좋은 아침이에요): Polite, but not really used.
• Joheun Achimimnida (좋은 아침입니다): Formal. Used in speeches, offices, news broadcasts, or K-dramas.

But here’s the thing.

These phrases are relatively new and essentially borrowed translations of “good morning” from English.

You can use them, but many native Koreans don’t unless they’re at work.

3. Jal Janni, Annyeonghi Jumusyeosseoyo

These are traditional morning greetings in Korea.

It’s usually the first greeting among family members who live in the same house.

• Jal Janni (잘 잤니?): A casual way of saying “Did you sleep well?” Grandparents or parents say this to younger ones.
• Annyeonghi Jumusyeosseoyo (안녕히 주무셨어요?): Formal and honorific way to say “Did you sleep well?” Younger people use this phrase to older generations first thing in the morning.

This greeting has a warm, caring tone and is mostly used within families. We also say this to relatives in the morning during holidays like Seollal or Chuseok.

4. Bangawo, Bangawoyo, Bangapseumnida

This is the Korean version of “Nice to meet you” when meeting someone for the first time.

• Bangawo (반가워): Informal and casual. People usually say this when the other person is either considerably younger or the same age.
• Bangawoyo (반가워요): Polite, yet friendly.
• Bangapseumnida (반갑습니다): Formal.

5. Eoseo Wa, Eoseo Oseyo, Eoseo Osipsio

This greeting is used exclusively in service contexts, like in stores, cafes, and restaurants.

• Eoseo Wa (어서 와): It means “welcome!” When your Korean friends invite you to their homes or stores, they’ll greet you with this phrase instead of hi.
• Eoseo Oseyo (어서 오세요): “Welcome in!” This is a greeting used by staff when welcoming customers.
• Eoseo Osipsio (어서 오십시오): More formal.

Servers will say this as you walk through the door.

You don’t need to respond, but a smile or nod is polite. You can also say “Annyeonghaseyo” to be polite.

6. Bap Meogeosseo, Bap Meogeosseoyo, Shiksa Hasyeosseoyo

This might be the most uniquely Korean way to say hi.

It’s also how we say “How are you?” in Korean.

• Bap Meogeosseo (밥 먹었어?): “Did you eat?” (informal)
• Bap Meogeosseoyo (밥 먹었어요?): “Did you eat?” (polite)
• Shiksa Hasyeosseoyo (식사하셨어요?): “Have you had a meal?” (formal)

They’re NOT really asking about your lunch.

This is an affectionate, old-school way to say hello, still common among older Koreans.

Historically, food insecurity was widespread, so asking if someone had eaten was an act of care.

7. Modern Variations

Among younger Koreans, you’ll often hear

• Hai (하이): A Koreanized “hi”
• Hello (헬로): Just like the English “hello”
• Gud Moning (굿모닝): A Koreanized “good morning” without the “r” sound.

They’re more common in texts or between people who are still getting to know each other.

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So how do you say hi in Korean?

If you want to remember only one thing, “Annyeonghaseyo” is the most versatile phrase.

But if you want to go a bit deeper, feel free to add more cultural layers with meal-based greetings or formal honorifics!