02 Apr
If you’re thinking about moving to Korea and you’re anything like me before I moved abroad, then your Korean is probably very limited or non-existent. The good news is that Korea is a very English-friendly country, especially in metropolitan areas like Seoul and elsewhere. However, no matter where you are in the world, it’s always a good idea to be able to speak at least the basic phrases of the native language. Here are five Korean words or phrases that I use daily while living in Korea.
1) HELLO
Hello – 안녕하세요 (an-nyeong-ha-se-yo)
● 안녕하세요! In my opinion, every guide for language learning should probably start with the word hello. Korean has a lot of rules related to formality. 안녕하세요
is the most formal version of hello, which is best to use with strangers, service workers, and your coworkers and boss.
● Pronunciation tip: For English-speakers, it’s tempting to put emphasis on the syllable “ha” but try your best to let it run together with the rest of the word.
2) YES
Yes – 네 (ne)
● Pronunciation tip: Pronounced a little like “neigh” this is the most formal form of yes in Korean. Be careful though, you don’t want to over-pronounce it and sound like a horse!
3) NO
No – 아니요 (a-ni-yo)
● This is a formal version of the word no in Korean. For those unfamiliar with Korean, it’s easy to break the word down into syllables, but try your best to practice it a few times, so it flows out naturally.
4) THANK YOU
Thank you – 감사합니다 (gam-sa-ham-ni-da)
● While there are many versions of thank you in Korean, this one is highly formal and the easiest for me to say.
● Pronunciation tip: Try to run to the syllables “sa” and “ham” together. Also, the “a” sound should be a little different from a long or short “a” sound in English. I recommend checking out this video to help you with it.
5) GOODBYE
This one gets a little tricky. In Korean, you use a different word for goodbye depending on if you are the one staying or leaving the place because goodbye in Korean literally means “go well” or “stay well.” The good news is, the base form stays the same. You just have to change the ending. Here’s both for you.
안녕히 가세요 (an-yeong-hee ka-se-yo)
● If you’re the person staying, and the other person is leaving, use this one.
안녕히 계세요(ann-yeong-hee ke-se-yo)
● If you’re the one who is leaving, use this one.
These are the most basic phrases you will want to know if you plan on living in or visiting Korea. If you’re interested in expanding your language skills even further, check out this article on all our best tips and strategies for learning Korean.
Diana Richtman, Marketing Assistant
Diana Richtman is a writer and ESL teacher living in Seoul, South Korea. Originally from Savannah, Georgia in the United States, Diana holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia in English & Women’s Studies. After receiving her TEFL certification, Diana moved to South Korea where she works at one of Creverse’s April Institutes. When Diana isn’t working, she loves exploring Korea, drinking warm cups of tea, and scaring away her friends with her karaoke performances.