안녕
annyeong
Hi / Bye (casual)
안녕하세요
annyeonghaseyo
Hello (polite)
안녕 (Annyeong) vs 안녕하세요 (Annyeonghaseyo): Hello in Korean
안녕 (annyeong) is the casual way to say hello (and goodbye) in Korean, used with close friends. 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) is the standard polite greeting used with everyone else, including strangers, elders, and colleagues.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| 안녕 (annyeong) | 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) | |
|---|---|---|
| Politeness Level | Casual / Informal | Polite / Standard |
| Used With | Close friends, younger people | Everyone — strangers, elders, colleagues |
| As Goodbye | 안녕! (Bye!) | 안녕히 가세요 / 안녕히 계세요 |
| Tone | Friendly, youthful | Respectful, universally appropriate |
| Frequency | Common among young Koreans | Most common Korean greeting overall |
Examples in Context
Greeting your close friend at a cafe — using 안녕
안녕! 오랜만이야!
Hey! Long time no see!
Entering a shop and greeting the owner — using 안녕하세요
안녕하세요!
Hello!
Waving goodbye to a friend — using 안녕
안녕! 내일 봐!
Bye! See you tomorrow!
Meeting your professor — using 안녕하세요
교수님, 안녕하세요.
Hello, Professor.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Using 안녕 with someone older or a stranger — always default to 안녕하세요 unless you're sure it's appropriate to be casual
- ✗Thinking 안녕하세요 is too formal for everyday use — it's actually the standard greeting for most situations in Korea
- ✗Using 안녕 as a formal goodbye — the polite goodbye forms are 안녕히 가세요 (to someone leaving) and 안녕히 계세요 (to someone staying)
- ✗Forgetting that 안녕 works as both hello AND goodbye in casual Korean
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 안녕 and 안녕하세요?
안녕 (annyeong) is the casual, shortened greeting used among friends. 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) is the polite form with the honorific 하세요 attached. Both come from 안녕 meaning 'peace' or 'well-being.'
Is there an even more formal version of hello in Korean?
Yes, 안녕하십니까 (annyeonghasimnikka) is the most formal greeting, used in business presentations, military settings, news broadcasts, and very formal occasions.
Can 안녕 be used as goodbye?
Yes! In casual speech, 안녕 works as both hello and goodbye. It's common for friends to wave and say 안녕! when parting. The polite goodbye forms are 안녕히 가세요 (to the person leaving) and 안녕히 계세요 (to the person staying).
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