TooterHow to say hello in Korean
The most common way to say hello in Korean is 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo). It is polite and works with almost anyone. With close friends, say 안녕 (annyeong).
Practice it with a tutor
Learning Korean- 95.6K likes
- 1.5K comments
- 20.1K shares
Learning French- 112.3K likes
- 1.4K comments
- 128.7K shares
Learning Spanish- 102.8K likes
- 737 comments
- 22.9K shares
Where will you say hello?
Pick one to start your plan. It takes about a minute.
Every way to say hello
Pick the one that fits the person. When in doubt, use 안녕하세요.
The safe default with strangers, staff and anyone older.
Very formal. Heard in news broadcasts, speeches and the military.
Close friends, younger siblings and kids. Use 안녕하세요 with anyone older or anyone you don't know well, whatever their age.
Used only when answering or starting a phone call.
Learners film their Tooter practice
Real videos from Tooter creators practicing with their tutor. Public TikTok counts, October 26, 2026.
Learning Korean- 9.3K likes
- 124 comments
- 912 shares
Learning Korean- 3K likes
- 68 comments
- 412 shares
Learning Korean- 3.2K likes
- 44 comments
- 367 shares
Learning German- 26.9K likes
- 694 comments
- 3.9K shares
Learning Spanish- 1.5K likes
- 31 comments
- 526 shares
Learning Spanish- 777 likes
- 26 comments
- 201 shares
Saying hello to someone new
A first meeting at a language exchange.
How to pronounce 안녕하세요
Break it into five beats
an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. Keep every syllable about the same length; Korean has no strong stress like English.
Soften the h
In fast speech the ㅎ in 하 gets very light, so it can sound like annyeong-aseyo. Both are understood.
Bow a little
A small nod or bow while you say it matters as much as the words with older people.
Reply with the same phrase
When someone says 안녕하세요 to you, just say 안녕하세요 back. There is no separate reply.
Say it out loud with a Korean tutor
Lifelike AI tutors play the other person and correct you as you speak. Pick one to start.
Minjiconversation-firstPractice with Minji 
Hanatravel-focusedPractice with Hana 
Jisooculture-richPractice with Jisoo 
Yunaconfidence-buildingPractice with Yuna 
Soranatural correctionPractice with Sora 
Jiwoofluency-drivenPractice with Jiwoo 
Nariscenario-ledPractice with Nari 
Sujinrhythm-awarePractice with Sujin 
@learningwith.emma
@learningwith.michelleQuestions learners ask
How do you say hello in Korean politely?
Say 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo). It is polite enough for strangers, shop staff and older people, and it is what most Koreans use every day. For a speech or a very formal setting, use 안녕하십니까 (annyeonghasimnikka).
How do you respond to annyeonghaseyo?
Say 안녕하세요 back. Korean uses the same phrase in both directions. With a friend who said 안녕, reply 안녕.
How do you say hello on the phone in Korean?
Answer with 여보세요 (yeoboseyo). It works like "hello?" in English and is used only on the phone.
What does annyeong mean?
안녕 (annyeong) is the casual hi and bye between close friends. It literally means peace or well-being. Avoid it with anyone older or anyone you just met.
Is annyeonghaseyo hello or goodbye?
Hello. For goodbye, Korean uses 안녕히 가세요 (annyeonghi gaseyo) to someone leaving and 안녕히 계세요 (annyeonghi gyeseyo) to someone staying.
How do you say hi to a friend in Korean?
With close friends, younger siblings or kids, say 안녕 (annyeong). It works for both hi and bye, and friends also often say 반가워 (bangawo), good to see you. With anyone you don't know well, use 안녕하세요, even if they're younger.
How do you say nice to meet you in Korean?
Say 만나서 반갑습니다 (mannaseo bangapseumnida) in formal situations, or 만나서 반가워요 (mannaseo bangawoyo) for a friendlier polite tone.
Do Koreans bow when they say hello?
Often, yes. A small nod or a short bow goes with 안녕하세요, especially to someone older or someone you just met. Between close friends a wave is fine.
Say 안녕하세요 to a tutor today.
Answer a few quick questions, then practice out loud with a tutor.
Updated October 23, 2026. Tooter tutors are AI characters, not human teachers. Romanization follows Revised Romanization.