Hey there! Thanks for coming back to our blog. If you’re new to the Korean language, there are a few greetings you might have already learned. You may also have noticed that there are different ways to say goodbye in Korean. I’ll be honest, though—Korean people aren’t always great at saying goodbyes, especially in emotional moments. It reminds me of when I was leaving South Korea to move to the U.S. My dad couldn’t say anything at the airport and tried hard not to cry. In the end, he just gave me a hug, showing how tough goodbyes can be for Koreans.
Today, we’ll talk about the various ways to say goodbye in Korean. Learning these goodbye phrases will help you feel more in tune with Korean culture and will take a step towards strengthening your connection to Korea. Are you ready?
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Saying Goodbye In Korean
If you live in Korea, you will be bidding farewell to people many times a day, right? So it is essential to learn how to say it properly. Even if you can’t speak perfectly, Korean people will appreciate your effort in trying to understand the nuances of the culture and language.
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Annyeong (안녕) is the most common casual phrase to say goodbye in Korean, and it means both “hello” and “goodbye.” I know it can be very confusing— Koreans use the exact same words in both cases. The word Annyeong (안녕) literally means “comfortable without trouble”. From this, you can guess that Koreans care about each other’s well-being.
In formal occasions, especially those involving elders or your partner’s family, you’ll need to say more respectful phrases like Annyeonghi gyeseyo (안녕히 계세요) or Annyeonghi gaseyo (안녕히 가세요). To help you understand better when to use each one, let’s first take a brief look at some aspects of Korean culture when it comes to farewells.
Understanding Farewells In Korean Culture
Saying goodbye is a bit complicated in Korean culture. The way you say it depends on the relationship and social status of the speakers. For example, if it’s a goodbye between family members, they might not say anything (like my dad at the airport)— it depends on the individual family, though. Some families will say goodbye and even I love you – Saranghae(사랑해) if they are leaving for an extended length of time.
Adding a little gesture is a must. Casually waving your hand or bowing slightly to show respect will do! Korean people tend to add their good wishes to other people when it comes to goodbyes. Phrases like Go carefully – Josimhi gaseyo (조심히 가세요) or Go well – Jal gaseyo (잘 가세요) show that they’re worrying about your safety.
Korean people have another phrase they use all the time. It’s not exactly “goodbye” but more of a formal phrase that carries a similar meaning. This phrase is: Thank you for your hard work- Sugohasyeossseumnida (수고하셨습니다). Sometimes, if a group of people is gathered, you can hear them shouting this phrase loudly all at once on the street in Korea. It’s a Korean way of showing their respect to each other after work.
Common Ways To Say Goodbye In Korean
As I mentioned before, there are numerous ways of saying goodbye in Korean. In this section, we’ll see the different phrases we can use to say it according to the context and level of formality.
Formal Ways To Say Goodbye In Korean
- Annyeonghi gyeseyo (안녕히 계세요) is a formal expression that means “stay peacefully,” and it is used when you’re leaving, and the other person is staying.
- Annyeonghi gaseyo (안녕히 가세요) literally means “go peacefully,” and it can be used when you are staying, and the other person is leaving. These phrases are particularly important in formal settings such as business meetings or interactions with elders.
- Danyeo oseyo (다녀오세요) means “take care, come back safely.” If you watch K-dramas, you will hear this phrase all the time when someone is leaving their house.
- Danyeo ogetseumnida (다녀오겠습니다) is translated as “I will go and be back.” This is most commonly used if you go to the same place every day, like school or work.
- Sugohaseyo (수고하세요), literally meaning “Keep up the good work,” is often used at work or when parting with someone after completing a task or duty. For example, if you’re buying something at a convenience store, you can always say this phrase as you leave the store.
- Josimhi gaseyo (조심히 가세요) – Literal meaning is “Go carefully.” You’re actually saying goodbye while expressing your wish for them to have a safe trip home.
- Ije gabogessseumnida (이제 가보겠습니다) – “I will leave now.” It’s a polite way of saying that you are leaving. You can use this phrase even in business settings.
- Pyeonanhan haru doeseyo (편안한 하루 되세요) – “Have a peaceful day.” This phrase can be used as a formal goodbye wish. You can replace the adjective in this phrase to create a different one. For example, Joeun haru doeseyo (좋은 하루 되세요) means “Have a good day.”
Informal Farewells In Korean
In terms of saying goodbye, using the right Korean words is very important, especially in casual settings. If you’re close friends, you will often hear them saying just Ga (가), which means “Go.” As an answer, if you are the one leaving, you will just say Eo (어), which means “Yes.” There is a funny video about using this Eo (어). It shows how often Korean people use that word in various situations— I hope that one day you can use it, too.
| English | Korean | Romanization | Sound |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hello/Bye | 안녕 | Annyeong | |
| Go well | 잘 가 | Jal ga | |
| Stay well | 잘 있어 | Jal isseo | |
| I’ll be back | 다녀올게 | Danyeoolge | |
| I’ll go first | 나 먼저 갈게 | Na meonjeo galge | |
| See you next time | 다음에 봐 | Daeume bwa | |
| See you again | 또 봐 | Tto bwa | |
| I’ll head out | 가볼게 | Gabolge | |
| Go carefully | 조심히 가 | Josimhi ga | |
| Go quickly | 빨리 가 | Ppalli ga | |
| I’ll go first | 먼저 갈게 | Meonjeo galge |
Korean informal expressions like these are perfect for everyday farewells among friends and family. Remember that informal phrases are usually shorter than formal phrases.
Korean Songs And Movies To Say Goodbye
Watching TV shows and movies and listening to music is a great way to strengthen your Korean skills. And, as always, I’ve got a special recommendation for you today. Since we’ve been learning about farewells in Korean, I’ve picked a song and a movie that both revolve around the theme of farewells. The song is “Goodbye Now – Ijen Annyeong (이젠 안녕)” by 015B, released in 1996. It’s one of the most popular songs played at graduations in Korea. There’s also a 2023 remake of this song by the K-pop group TXT (Tomorrow X Together). Please note that I’ve linked the version by TXT.
“Decision to Leave – He-eojil gyulsim (헤어질 결심)” is a captivating romantic thriller directed by Park Chan-wook. He won the Best Director award at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival and is well known for his films like “Oldboy” and “The Handmaiden.” His unique style makes his films very attractive, which is why many people watch them over and over since you can always find or learn something new from them.
FAQs About Saying Goodbye In Korean
1. How Do You Say Goodbye In Korean Using The Polite Form?
In a formal setting, using the formal form Annyeonghi gaseyo (안녕히 가세요) or Annyeonghi gyeseyo (안녕히 계세요) will be perfect. If you want to be more polite, add a slight bow.
2. Is Annyeong Hello Or Goodbye?
Annyeong (안녕) is one of the most common ways of saying goodbye and hello in Korean, especially for friends and those you’re comfortable with. It is funny, but you can use Annyeong (안녕) for both hello and goodbye!
3. What Is The Difference Between Annyeonghi Gyeseyo And Annyeonghi Gaseyo?
As we mentioned earlier, the only difference between the two is Gy‘ and Ga. Gyeseyo (계세요) is from the verb gyesida (계시다)”, which means “to stay.” Gaseyo (가세요) comes from the verb from gada (가다), which means “to go.” Let me put it this way: if you’re the one leaving, you have to say, Annyeonghi gyeseyo. And if you’re staying and saying goodbye to someone who is leaving, you have to say Annyeonghi Gaseyo.
Wrapping Up
We have learned about how to say goodbye in Korean today. It’s simple, but it can also be tricky. Even if you can’t remember what we learned today, I think you will be fine as long as you can show how much you care about other people when you say goodbye. We all come from different places and cultures, but in many ways, we’re all the same in the end. I hope that what we have shared today helps you feel a bit closer to the Korean language and culture.
Build Your Korean Skills
Learning how to say goodbye in Korean is not just about language—it’s about appreciating Korean culture and building emotional connections with the natives. If you have a Korean partner, mastering these phrases can show that you respect their culture. It’s a step forward to understanding their world. If you need help with that, the Ling app is the perfect companion to help you learn Korean!
And if you want to learn even more, don’t forget to check our Korean blog, where you can find all you need to complement your Korean learning routine.
Thank you for reading! See you guys next time – Daeume tto mannayo (다음에 또 만나요.)
