How to Say “Welcome” in Korean: 어서 오세요 (eoseo oseyo)
“Eoseo oseyo” means “welcome” or “come on in” — the greeting you’ll hear the moment you step into any Korean shop or restaurant.
“Eoseo oseyo” means “welcome” or “come on in” — the greeting you’ll hear the moment you step into any Korean shop or restaurant.
어서 오세요 (eoseo oseyo) — welcome / come on in
How it feels and when to use it
Literally “come quickly” (eoseo = quickly, oseyo = please come), but it’s warm, not rushed. Staff say it to you; you don’t usually say it back — a nod is enough.
Politeness levels
- 어서 와 (eoseo wa) — Casual (반말): with close friends and people younger than you
- 어서 오세요 (eoseo oseyo) — Polite (해요체): the safe everyday level for most people
- 어서 오십시오 (eoseo osipsio) — Formal (합쇼체): in business, announcements, and to elders
Real examples from native Korean
Here’s how native speakers actually use 어서 오세요 in real Korean:
- 어서오세요 — Welcome.
- 어서오세요! — Welcome!
- 어서오세요... — Welcome...
A common mistake to avoid
You’re the listener, not the speaker — Beginners sometimes reply “eoseo oseyo” back to staff. Don’t — it’s a host-to-guest line. A simple “annyeonghaseyo” or a nod is the natural response.
Related expressions
- 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) — hello
- 여기요 (yeogiyo) — excuse me (to call staff)
Want to hear 어서 오세요 spoken by real Koreans? Search it on Langle and watch it across dozens of real video clips.
Frequently asked questions
- What does “어서 오세요” mean in Korean?
- “Eoseo oseyo” means “welcome” or “come on in” — the greeting you’ll hear the moment you step into any Korean shop or restaurant. It’s romanized as “eoseo oseyo.”
- Is “어서 오세요” formal or casual?
- “어서 와” is casual (반말); “어서 오세요” is polite (해요체); “어서 오십시오” is formal (합쇼체). Match the level to who you’re talking to.
- How do you pronounce “어서 오세요”?
- It’s pronounced “eoseo oseyo.” You’re the listener, not the speaker: Beginners sometimes reply “eoseo oseyo” back to staff. Don’t — it’s a host-to-guest line. A simple “annyeonghaseyo” or a nod is the natural response.
- When should I use “어서 오세요”?
- Literally “come quickly” (eoseo = quickly, oseyo = please come), but it’s warm, not rushed. Staff say it to you; you don’t usually say it back — a nod is enough.
- What can I say instead of “어서 오세요”?
- Try “안녕하세요” (hello) or “여기요” (excuse me (to call staff)).