What does 안녕하세요 mean?

안녕하세요 (an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, annyeonghaseyo)

안녕하세요 is one of the most basic greetings in Korean, used in daily life and business.

Polite Korean greeting 안녕하세요

Definition & nuance

Core meaning and shades learners miss.

안녕하세요(an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, annyeonghaseyo)

안녕하세요 is a polite greeting used when meeting someone, meaning 'Are you well?' or 'Hello.' It is the polite form of the adjective '안녕하다' (to be well).

Nuances

  • Friendly yet formal greeting
  • Maintains appropriate social distance
  • More official than informal polite speech

When to use

Everyday conversation, Business meetings, Phone calls

In context

안녕하세요 is used mainly as a polite greeting when meeting someone for the first time or in formal situations. It functions as an independent greeting phrase, usually placed at the beginning or end of a sentence.

Real-world examples

  • 안녕하세요, 처음 뵙겠습니다.

    an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, cheo-eum boep-gess-seup-ni-da., an nyeong ha se yo, cheo eum boep gess seup ni da.

    Appropriate polite greeting when meeting someone for the first time.

  • 안녕하세요! 오늘 날씨가 좋네요.

    an-nyeong-ha-se-yo! o-neul nal-ssi-ga joh-ne-yo., an nyeong ha se yo! o neul nal ssi ga joh ne yo.

    A friendly and polite greeting in everyday conversation.

  • 안녕하세요, 이거 얼마예요?

    an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, i-geo eol-ma-ye-yo?, an nyeong ha se yo, i geo eol ma ye yo?

    Polite greeting from a customer to a store clerk.

  • 안녕하세요 저는 학생이에요.

    an-nyeong-ha-se-yo jeo-neun hak-saeng-i-e-yo., an nyeong ha se yo jeo neun hak saeng i e yo.

    Naturally used as a greeting before self-introduction.

  • 안녕하세요? 잘 지내?

    an-nyeong-ha-se-yo? jal ji-nae?, an nyeong ha se yo? jal ji nae?

    '잘 지내?' is informal; it doesn't match the polite '안녕하세요'.

  • 안녕하세요, 밥 먹었어?

    an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, bap meok-eoss-eo?, an nyeong ha se yo, bap meok eoss eo?

    '밥 먹었어?' is informal, so it conflicts with polite '안녕하세요'.

Quick quiz

  1. What does 안녕하세요 mean?

    안녕하세요의 의미는 무엇인가요?(an-nyeong-ha-se-yo-uiui-mi-neunmu-eos-in-ga-yo?, annyeonghaseyouiuimineunmueosingayo?)
  2. When is it appropriate to use 안녕하세요?

    안녕하세요를 사용할 때 적절한 상황은?(an-nyeong-ha-se-yo-reulsa-yong-halttaejeok-jeol-hansang-hwang-eun?, annyeonghaseyoreulsayonghalttaejeokjeolhansanghwangeun?)
  3. Which sentence does NOT fit well with 안녕하세요?

    다음 중 안녕하세요와 어울리지 않는 문장은?(da-eumjungan-nyeong-ha-se-yo-waeo-ul-ri-jian-neunmun-jang-eun?, daeumjungannyeonghaseyowaeoulrijianneunmunjangeun?)

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