HANDY EXPRESSIONS

Some expression to learn that comes handy when traveling to Korea or speaking to a Korean:

Greetings

Hi, Hello or Good Day – 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo)

Goodbye (to someone leaving) – 안녕히 가세요 (annyeonghi kaseyo)

Goodbye (to someone staying) – 안녕히 계세요 (annyeonghi kyeseyo)

How are you? – 잘 지내요? (jal jinaeyo)

I’m fine, thank you – 잘 지내, 고마워요 (Jal jinae, komawoyo)

Thank you – 감사합니다 (Kamsahamnida), 고마워요 (Komawoyo)

안녕 (annyeong) comes in handy as a expression can mean, hi, hello or bye. It’s casual expression
though so you can’t say it to someone older or someone you don’t know personally, it may be impolite
to do so.

Meeting Someone

After saying hi and hello, its just right to say something like it’s nice to meet you. Here are also some
expressions you can use along with hi and hello.

It’s nice to meet you – 만마서 반갑습니다 (Mannaseo pangapsumnida) or 만나서 반가워요
(Mannaseo pangawoyo).

I am glad to meet you – 만나서 기쁜니다 (Mannaseo gippeunida) or 만나서 기뻐요 (Mannaseo
gippeoyo)

I am Jane or My name is Jane – 제 이름은 제인입니다 (Je ireumeun Jane imnida)

Please call me Jane – 저를 제인라고 불러 주세요 (Choreul Jane-rago bulleo juseyo

See you later – 나중에 봐요 (Najunge bwayo, you can also hear this said as bayo instead of bwayo)

Have a nice day – 좋은 하루 보내요 (Cheoun haru bonaeyo)

Saying Yes or Agreeing

It almost a given for you to practice these expressions. Whenever you meet or talk, these expressions
will surely help in a little way.

Yes – 네 (Ne) Please note that 네 is also used to fill those conversation to denote you agree or
understand what the other party is saying.

Yes, I am – 네 그렇습니다 (Ne, kurosumnida)

Correct! or Right! – 맞아요 (Majayo)

It’s true – 정말이야 (Chongmariya)

Okay – 좋아 or 좋아요 (Choa or Choayo) It also means good (I am therefore okay with it)

I am okay – 괜찮아요 (Gwaenchanayo)

Certainly or I know/understand – 알겠어요 (Algesseoyo) or 알겠습니다 (Algesseumnida)

I think so – 그렇게 생각해요 (Kureoke saengakhaeyo)

Yes please (do so) – 그렇세요 (Kureoseyo)

Of course or Absolutely yes – 당연하지 (Dangyeonhaji)

Saying No or Disagreeing

Saying no is as important to saying yes.

No – 아니오 (Anio)
No, I am not – 아니오 틀립니다 (Anio, teurimnida)

Wrong – 틀립니다 (Teurimnida) or 틀려요 (Teuryeoyo)

Never – 절대 아니야 (Cheoldae aniya)

No way! – 말도 안 돼 (Maldo an dwe)

That is not right – 그렇지 않아요 (Kureoji anayo) or 그렇지 않습니다 (Kureoji ansumnida)

I don’t know – 몰라요 (Mollayo)

Of course not – 물론 아니지 (Mullon aniji)