Korean Dictionary
How to say "Getting along well" in Korean
“Getting along well” in Korean is 잘 지내다 (pronounced "Jal jinaeda").
잘 지내다
Jal jinaeda
Usage & Context
Having a harmonious relationship with others. 잘 지내다 can refer to both 'living well' and 'getting along well with others'. Korean social harmony (화합) is deeply valued. The concept of 눈치 (nunchi, reading the room/social awareness) helps Koreans navigate relationships smoothly.
Example Sentence
직장 동료들이랑 잘 지내는 게 중요해요.
Getting along well with work colleagues is important.
How to use 잘 지내다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Getting along well” is 잘 지내다, romanized as Jal jinaeda.
Usage tip
Relationship words can sound too direct if the social context is wrong. Check the age, closeness, and formality before using it.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 잘 지내다.
Pronunciation Guide
잘 (jal) sounds like 'jahl' in 'jar' but with a slightly softer 'j'. 지 (ji) sounds like 'jee' in 'jeep'. 내 (nae) sounds like 'nay' in 'say'. 다 (da) sounds like 'dah' in 'dad'. The stress is fairly even across the syllables.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
잘 지내시다
Jal jinaesida
Used when speaking about an elder or someone of higher status.
Casual (반말)
잘 지내
Jal jinae
Used when speaking to close friends or subordinates.
More Example Sentences
Asking an acquaintance about their general well-being.
요즘 어떻게 잘 지내세요?
How have you been doing lately?
A parent asking their child about their social life.
새로운 학교에서 친구들이랑 잘 지내고 있어?
Are you getting along well with friends at your new school?
Telling someone about your parents' comfortable life.
우리 부모님은 시골에서 잘 지내고 계세요.
My parents are living well in the countryside.
Cultural Context
'잘 지내다' is a very common phrase in Korean greetings, often used to ask about someone's general well-being or how they are getting along with others. It reflects the Korean emphasis on social harmony (화합, hwahap) and maintaining good relationships. Having '눈치' (nunchi), or social awareness, is key to '잘 지내다' in various social settings, ensuring smooth interactions and avoiding conflict.
Editorial note
We check relationship words like 잘 지내다 against age, closeness, and politeness rules, because a literal English match often misses the social meaning.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
잘 지내셨어요?
Have you been well? (polite)
잘 지내지?
You're doing well, right? (casual)
앞으로도 잘 지내요.
Let's continue to get along well.
Related Expressions
안녕하다
annyeonghada
to be peaceful, well (root of '안녕하세요')
평화롭다
pyeonghwaropda
to be peaceful
화목하다
hwamokhada
to be harmonious (often for family)
사이좋다
saijota
to have a good relationship
More Relationships Words
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