Korean Phrases
Hello in Korean is 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) and thank you is 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida). This tool has 115 phrases in 8 situations, each with audio, romanization and the speech level to use.
How to use
- Pick a situation (greetings, restaurant, travel, K-pop and more) and, if you like, a speech level.
- In List mode press Listen to hear a phrase. Choose a speed of 0.6x, 0.85x or 1x to slow it down while you learn it.
- Switch to Flashcards: read the Korean, say it, flip to check, then press I knew it or Again. Tick English first to practice the other direction.
- Switch to Quiz for 10 multiple-choice questions. Tick Listening only to answer from the sound alone.
- In List mode press Print to get the phrases you filtered as a one-page table.
How it works
Korean has speech levels. 해요체 (haeyo-che, polite) is the safe default with strangers, shop staff and older people. 합쇼체 (hapsyo-che, formal) is used in announcements, business and first meetings. 반말 (banmal, casual) is only for close friends, younger people and family. Using banmal with someone you just met can sound rude, so each phrase shows its level.
The romanization follows the Revised Romanization of Korean from the National Institute of Korean Language. It writes the sounds as spoken, so 감사합니다 is gamsahamnida, not gamsahabnida. It does not mark tense consonants, and a final 있/겠 before 습 becomes t, so 먹겠습니다 appears as meokgetseumnida even though people often write meokgesseumnida.
Audio comes from the Korean voice built into your browser or device, so quality and accent vary. If no Korean voice is installed the Listen buttons may stay silent, and you can add one in your system language settings.
Ways to say hi and goodbye
| Korean | Romanization | Use |
|---|---|---|
| 안녕하세요 | annyeonghaseyo | Hello, polite. The default. |
| 안녕 | annyeong | Hi or bye with friends |
| 안녕하십니까 | annyeonghasimnikka | Hello, very formal |
| 안녕히 가세요 | annyeonghi gaseyo | Goodbye to someone leaving |
| 안녕히 계세요 | annyeonghi gyeseyo | Goodbye to someone staying |
Speech levels at a glance
| Level | Ending | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 합쇼체 (formal) | -ㅂ니다 / -습니다 | 감사합니다 |
| 해요체 (polite) | -아요 / -어요 | 고마워요 |
| 반말 (casual) | plain stem | 고마워 |
Sources
- Romanization: Revised Romanization of Korean, National Institute of Korean Language (korean.go.kr).
- Phrases are common standard Korean for visitors and learners. Names such as 민수 in an example are placeholders for your own name.
Sources: Revised Romanization of Korean (National Institute of Korean Language)Last reviewed 2026-10-18
FAQ
How do you say hello in Korean?
Say 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) to almost anyone. 안녕 (annyeong) is for friends only, and 안녕하십니까 (annyeonghasimnikka) is very formal.
How do you say thank you in Korean?
감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) is the standard formal thank you. 고맙습니다 (gomapseumnida) means the same with a native Korean word, 고마워요 (gomawoyo) is softer, and 고마워 (gomawo) is for friends.
What is the difference between annyeong and annyeonghaseyo?
안녕 is casual, used with friends, family and younger people, and can mean both hi and bye. 안녕하세요 is polite and works for hello with anyone.
Which speech level should I use as a beginner?
Use the polite 해요체 ending in -요 (-yo). It is correct in nearly every everyday situation and no one will mind a learner using it.
Why is the romanization different from what I have seen?
Korean has no single spelling system for English. This tool uses the official Revised Romanization. Songs, subtitles and brands often use informal spellings like kamsahamnida or fighting.