{"id":50285,"date":"2023-06-14T15:00:22","date_gmt":"2023-06-14T14:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gogohanguk.com\/?p=50285"},"modified":"2025-05-07T17:19:05","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T08:19:05","slug":"korean-phrases-and-words-for-daily-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gogohanguk.com\/en\/blog\/korean-phrases-and-words-for-daily-life\/","title":{"rendered":"5 ways of expressing Korean phrases in everyday life"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you are going to Korea, you might need to know some useful Korean phrases. By using these <\/span>Korean expressions<\/b>, you will sound more natural and you can fit in better.<\/span><\/p>\n

Let’s take a look at the <\/span>most commonly used Korean phrases<\/b>\u00a0to best suit Korean etiquette.<\/span><\/p>\n

5 Korean phrases in everyday life<\/h2>\n

\"Korean<\/p>\n

1. Saying “goodbye” in Korean phrases<\/h3>\n

One thing that may strike you is the way Koreans say \u201c<\/span>goodbye<\/b>\u201d. They do not always use the same Korean phrase, as it depends on whether the person they are saying goodbye to is leaving, or if the listener is staying and the speaker is leaving.<\/span><\/p>\n

One uses <\/span>annyeonghigaseyo<\/span><\/i> (<\/span>\uc548\ub155\ud788 \uac00\uc138\uc694<\/span>) if the listener is <\/span>leaving<\/b>, as this expression literally means ‘goodbye’. There is also the more colloquial expression <\/span>\uc798<\/span> \uac00\uc694<\/span> (<\/span>jal gayo<\/span><\/i>), or <\/span>\uc798<\/span> \uac00<\/span> (<\/span>jal ga<\/span><\/i>) in its more informal variant, which literally always means ‘go well’.<\/span><\/p>\n

\uc548\ub155\ud788 \uac00\uc138\uc694<\/b> \/ <\/b>\uc798<\/b> \uac00\uc694<\/b> \/ <\/b>\uc798<\/b> \uac00 <\/b>(Annyeonghigaseyo \/ Jal gayo \/ Jal ga<\/span><\/i>)<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/i>Goodbye<\/b> (when the speaker is staying and the listener is leaving).<\/span><\/p>\n

On the other hand, <\/span>annyeonghigyeseyo<\/span><\/i> (<\/span>\uc548\ub155\ud788 \uacc4\uc138\uc694<\/span>) is used <\/span>if the listener is staying and the person saying goodbye is <\/span>leaving<\/b>. In fact, the expression means “stay well”.<\/span><\/p>\n

\uc548\ub155\ud788 \uacc4\uc138\uc694 <\/b>(Annyeonghigyeseyo<\/span><\/i>)<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/i>Goodbye <\/b>(when the speaker is leaving and the listener is staying)<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the choice does not always fall on one of the two Korean phrases. In fact, very often, when leaving <\/span>shops, <\/b>one tends to simply say <\/span>gamsahamnida<\/span><\/i> (<\/span>\uac10\uc0ac\ud569\ub2c8\ub2e4<\/span>), as a thank you, or <\/span>manhi paseyo<\/span><\/i> (<\/span>\ub9ce\uc774<\/span> \ud30c\uc138\uc694<\/span>), which literally means ‘sell a lot’, as a wish to the shopkeeper. Also, <\/span>sugohaseyo<\/span><\/i> (<\/span>\uc218\uace0\ud558\uc138\uc694<\/span>) is a widely used expression to encourage the shopkeeper to keep up the good work.<\/span><\/p>\n

When leaving restaurants, if you are satisfied, you can say,\u00a0 <\/span>jal meogeosseumnida<\/span><\/i> (<\/span>\uc798<\/span> \uba39\uc5c8\uc2b5\ub2c8\ub2e4<\/span>), which literally means ‘I ate well’. Here, we can also use <\/span>gamsahamnida<\/span><\/i> or <\/span>sugohaseyo<\/span><\/i> as alternatives.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, to recap, as you <\/span>leave a shop or restaurant<\/b>, remember to say thank you by saying:<\/span><\/p>\n

\uac10\uc0ac\ud569\ub2c8\ub2e4 <\/b>(Gamsahamnida<\/span><\/i>)<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/i>Thank you<\/b><\/p>\n

You can also add an expression of <\/span>encouragement,<\/b> such as:<\/span><\/p>\n

\uc218\uace0\ud558\uc138\uc694 <\/b>(Sugohaseyo<\/span><\/i>)<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/i>Good work<\/b> (literally: ‘keep working hard’).<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Korean<\/p>\n

2. Expressing “Enjoy your meal”<\/h3>\n

Another Korean phrase that varies depending on the role of the speaker is an expression that translates to \u201c<\/span>good appetite<\/b>\u201d. In fact, if you are about to eat food prepared or offered by someone, you will say <\/span>jal meokgesseumnida<\/span><\/i> (<\/span>\uc798<\/span> \uba39\uaca0\uc2b5\ub2c8\ub2e4<\/span>), which literally means ‘I’m going to eat well’. It is a polite way of expressing gratitude to the person who is offering food.\u00a0 Even when you are with a group of friends going out to eat, you can still use <\/span>jal meokgesseumnida<\/span><\/i> to express your happiness at sharing the meal with the others.<\/span><\/p>\n

Conversely, when <\/span>serving<\/b> someone food, one says <\/span>masittge deuseyo<\/span><\/i> (<\/span>\ub9db\uc788\uac8c<\/span> \ub4dc\uc138\uc694<\/span>), which literally means ‘eat with gusto’. It is an expression you will often hear waiters say in restaurants. Informal ways of saying it are <\/span>\uc798<\/span> \uba39\uc5b4<\/span> (<\/span>jal meogeo<\/span><\/i>) and <\/span>\ub9ce\uc774<\/span> \uba39\uc5b4<\/span> (<\/span>manhi meogeo<\/span><\/i>), which literally mean ‘eat well’ and ‘eat a lot’.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, to recap, there are two phrases you should remember when it comes to enjoying a meal. If you <\/span>are about to eat<\/b>, you should use:<\/span><\/p>\n

\uc798<\/b> \uba39\uaca0\uc2b5\ub2c8\ub2e4 <\/b>(Jal meokgesseumnida<\/span><\/i>)<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/i>I (humbly) receive this meal<\/b><\/span> (literally: ‘I’m going to eat well’).<\/span><\/p>\n

If, on the other hand,\u00a0 you want someone else to enjoy their meal and <\/span>you won’t share the meal<\/b>, you can use:<\/span><\/p>\n

\ub9db\uc788\uac8c<\/b> \ub4dc\uc138\uc694 <\/b>(Masittge deuseyo<\/span><\/i>)<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/i>Enjoy your meal<\/b> (formal, literally: ‘eat with gusto’)<\/span><\/p>\n

or<\/span><\/p>\n

\uc798<\/b> \uba39\uc5b4<\/b> \/ <\/b>\ub9ce\uc774 \uba39\uc5b4 <\/b>(Jal meogeo \/ Manhi meogeo<\/span><\/i>)<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/i>Enjoy your meal<\/b> (informal, literally: ‘eat well’ and ‘eat a lot’).<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Korean phrases for asking permission<\/h3>\n

Among the various Korean phrases you may need, it is also useful to know how to <\/span>ask for permission<\/b>. The immediate translation of this expression is <\/span>sillyehamnida<\/span><\/i> (<\/span>\uc2e4\ub840\ud569\ub2c8\ub2e4<\/span>). You can use this term when there are a lot of people and you need to pass by.<\/span><\/p>\n

\uc2e4\ub840\ud569\ub2c8\ub2e4<\/b>! <\/b>(Sillyehamnida!<\/span><\/i>)<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/i>Excuse me!<\/b><\/p>\n

However, in some situations, there are other Korean phrases that are more commonly used. For example, <\/span>on the underground<\/b>, when you need to make your way through the other passengers to get off at your station, you can say <\/span>naerigesseumnida <\/span><\/i>(<\/span>\ub0b4\ub9ac\uaca0\uc2b5\ub2c8\ub2e4<\/span>), which literally means ‘I’m getting off’. People will then know that they will have to step aside for a moment for you to stop at that station.<\/span><\/p>\n

\ub0b4\ub9ac\uaca0\uc2b5\ub2c8\ub2e4<\/b>! <\/b>(Naerigesseumnida!<\/span><\/i>)<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/i>I have to get off!<\/b><\/p>\n

When you have people in front of you but you’re not sure if they will get off or not, instead of asking for permission right away, it’s more polite to first ask if they will get off. The right expression to use in this case is<\/span> naerisilgeoyeyo?<\/span><\/i> (<\/span>\ub0b4\ub9ac\uc2e4<\/span> \uac70\uc608\uc694<\/span>?). If the answer is yes, they will probably just say yes (<\/span>\ub124<\/span>, <\/span>ne<\/span><\/i>). If not, they will most certainly take the hint and move aside so as to let you pass.<\/span><\/p>\n

\ub0b4\ub9ac\uc2e4<\/b> \uac70\uc608\uc694<\/b>? <\/b>(Naerisilgeoyeyo?<\/span><\/i>)<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/i>Are you getting off?<\/b><\/p>\n

4. “You’re welcome” in Korean<\/h3>\n

In Korean culture, expressing \u201cyou\u2019re welcome\u201d<\/strong> doesn\u2019t always require a direct Korean phrase \u2014 often, humility plays a key role, and people tend to respond modestly when thanked.<\/p>\n

The most commonly used phrase is:<\/p>\n

\uc544\ub2c8\uc5d0\uc694<\/strong> (anieyo<\/em>)
Literally means \u201cIt\u2019s not (a big deal)<\/strong>\u201d or \u201cNo, not at all<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s casual but polite, and this Korean phrase is widely used in everyday conversation. If someone thanks you, replying with \u201c\uc544\ub2c8\uc5d0\uc694\u201d<\/strong> implies you\u2019re happy to help \u2014 without making it sound like a big favor.<\/p>\n

There are other variations to how you can respond, such as:<\/p>\n

\uad1c\ucc2e\uc544\uc694<\/strong> (gwaenchanayo<\/em>)
“It\u2019s okay<\/strong>” \u2014 also works in this context as a soft, comforting response to thanks.<\/p>\n

\ucc9c\ub9cc\uc5d0\uc694 <\/strong>(cheonmaneyo<\/em>)
This is the literal translation of \u201cyou\u2019re welcome<\/strong>,\u201d but it\u2019s now rarely used<\/strong> in modern conversations. It might still appear in books or formal writing, but it can sound outdated in casual speech.<\/p>\n

\ubcc4\ub9d0\uc500\uc744\uc694 <\/strong>(byeolmalsseumeulyo<\/em>)
A polite and humble way to say, \u201cDon\u2019t mention it<\/strong>.\u201d You might hear this in more formal or older-generation settings.<\/p>\n

\"How<\/p>\n

5. How to say \u201csorry\u201d in Korean phrases<\/h3>\n

Just like how there are different ways to say goodbye depending on who is leaving or staying, the way you say \u201csorry\u201d in Korean<\/strong> also depends on the level of formality, the person you’re speaking to, and the situation. Let\u2019s take a look at them.<\/p>\n

\uc8c4\uc1a1\ud569\ub2c8\ub2e4 \/ \uc8c4\uc1a1\ud574\uc694 <\/strong>(Joesonghamnida \/ Joesonghaeyo<\/em>)
Sorry \/ apology<\/strong><\/p>\n

Joesonghamnida<\/em> (\uc8c4\uc1a1\ud569\ub2c8\ub2e4) is the most respectful<\/strong> and formal way to say “sorry” in Korean. You would use it in situations like bumping into a stranger, being late to a meeting, or apologizing to someone older or in a position of authority. Joesonghaeyo <\/em>(\uc8c4\uc1a1\ud574\uc694) is a slightly softer<\/strong>, polite version used in everyday conversations that still require respect.<\/p>\n

\ubbf8\uc548\ud574\uc694 \/ \ubbf8\uc548\ud574 <\/strong>(Mianhaeyo \/ Mianhae<\/em>)
Sorry\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mianhaeyo <\/em>(\ubbf8\uc548\ud574\uc694) is a polite but more casual<\/strong> way to apologize \u2014 perfect for acquaintances, classmates, or neighbors. On the other hand, mianhae<\/em> (\ubbf8\uc548\ud574) is informal and best used with close friends or people younger than you. Both versions are heartfelt and commonly used.<\/p>\n

In Korean culture, saying sorry is often more than just about admitting fault \u2014 it\u2019s a way to show humility, empathy, and a desire to keep harmony. That\u2019s why apologies are used even for small things like receiving help, interrupting someone, or declining an offer.<\/p>\n

Also, you may sometimes hear someone say:<\/p>\n

\uc8c4\uc1a1\ud558\uace0 \uac10\uc0ac\ud569\ub2c8\ub2e4 (Joesonghago gamsahamnida<\/em>)
I\u2019m sorry and thank you<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This is commonly used when someone helps you out and you feel apologetic for the trouble, while still wanting to show gratitude.<\/p>\n

These are some <\/span>useful Korean phrases for everyday life<\/b> that you may want to know. As you may have noticed, these expressions in Korean have more facets than those in English and their usage varies depending on the context. <\/span><\/p>\n

As you get deeper into the study of the Korean language, you will see more differences between Korean and English, and how the Korean terms vary according to social usage. Interested in picking up basic Korean? Try learning the Korean alphabet with Hangul Quest. <\/strong>Check out more here<\/a>!<\/span><\/p>\n

For more information on Korean language and culture, follow the<\/span> Go! Go! Hanguk blog <\/span><\/a>and do not hesitate to <\/span>contact us <\/span><\/a>about living and <\/span>studying in Korea<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you are going to Korea, you might need to know some useful Korean phrases. By using these Korean expressions, you will sound more natural and you can fit in better. Let’s take a look at the most commonly used Korean phrases\u00a0to best suit Korean etiquette. 5 Korean phrases in everyday life 1. Saying “goodbye” […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":156,"featured_media":48651,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1222],"tags":[1299,1314,1316],"class_list":["post-50285","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-korean-language","tag-korean-language","tag-study-korean","tag-topik"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogohanguk.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50285","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogohanguk.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogohanguk.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogohanguk.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/156"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogohanguk.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50285"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gogohanguk.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50285\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogohanguk.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/48651"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogohanguk.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50285"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogohanguk.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50285"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogohanguk.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50285"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}