Survival KoreanLanguage
안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) — Hello
Annyeonghaseyo is the all-purpose polite “hello” for shop staff, hosts and anyone you meet for the first time.
HelloPoliteSay it as you enterUpdated Oct 20, 2026
Study tools for this phrase
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What it means and how to say it
안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) means “Hello.” Talk To Me In Korean lists it as the first of its 20 essential phrases for beginners. Say it roughly as “ahn-nyeong-ha-seh-yo.”
When to use it
Use it when you walk into a shop, café or restaurant, when you meet your host, or when you meet someone for the first time. A small nod or bow along with the words is natural.
Good to know
When you leave, a different phrase is used. Talk To Me In Korean teaches 안녕히 가세요 (annyeonghi gaseyo) as “goodbye” to the person who is leaving, in the same list. As a traveler, the polite form is a safe choice everywhere.
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