How to Say “Hi” in Korean: 안녕 (annyeong)
“Annyeong” is a casual “hi” and “bye” in one — the friendly greeting you use with people your own age or younger.
“Annyeong” is a casual “hi” and “bye” in one — the friendly greeting you use with people your own age or younger.
안녕 (annyeong) — hi / bye
How it feels and when to use it
Add “-haseyo” for the polite “annyeonghaseyo,” the standard greeting for everyone else. For goodbye there are two polite forms depending on who is leaving.
Politeness levels
- 안녕 (annyeong) — Casual (반말): with close friends and people younger than you
- 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) — Polite (해요체): the safe everyday level for most people
- 안녕히 가세요 (annyeonghi gaseyo) — Formal (합쇼체): in business, announcements, and to elders
Real examples from native Korean
Here’s how native speakers actually use 안녕 in real Korean:
- 안녕! — Hello!
- 안녕~ — Bye~
- 안녕하세요 — Hello~!
A common mistake to avoid
Two ways to say goodbye — If the other person leaves, say “annyeonghi gaseyo” (go well). If you’re the one leaving, say “annyeonghi gyeseyo” (stay well). Mixing them up is a classic beginner slip.
Related expressions
- 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) — hello (polite)
- 잘 가 (jal ga) — bye (to someone leaving)
Want to hear 안녕 spoken by real Koreans? Search it on Langle and watch it across dozens of real video clips.
Frequently asked questions
- What does “안녕” mean in Korean?
- “Annyeong” is a casual “hi” and “bye” in one — the friendly greeting you use with people your own age or younger. It’s romanized as “annyeong.”
- Is “안녕” formal or casual?
- “안녕” is casual (반말); “안녕하세요” is polite (해요체); “안녕히 가세요” is formal (합쇼체). Match the level to who you’re talking to.
- How do you pronounce “안녕”?
- It’s pronounced “annyeong.” Two ways to say goodbye: If the other person leaves, say “annyeonghi gaseyo” (go well). If you’re the one leaving, say “annyeonghi gyeseyo” (stay well). Mixing them up is a classic beginner slip.
- When should I use “안녕”?
- Add “-haseyo” for the polite “annyeonghaseyo,” the standard greeting for everyone else. For goodbye there are two polite forms depending on who is leaving.
- What can I say instead of “안녕”?
- Try “안녕하세요” (hello (polite)) or “잘 가” (bye (to someone leaving)).