Dive in Korean

Topic guide

Korean Greetings & Everyday Politeness — The Survival Set

Every Korean interaction runs on a small set of ritual phrases — and almost all of them come in a polite version and a casual version. Learn the phrase AND its level, and you sound like you get it.

This set covers arriving, thanking, apologizing, agreeing, calling for help, and the meal-table rituals — the complete survival kit for your first conversations.

  1. 01

    What Does 안녕하세요 (Annyeonghaseyo) Mean in Korean?

    Learn what 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) means, its literal meaning 'are you at peace?', when to bow, and how it differs from casual 안녕.

  2. 02

    What Does 안녕 (Annyeong) Mean in Korean?

    Learn what 안녕 (annyeong) means — the casual Korean hi that also means bye — who you can say it to, and how it relates to 안녕하세요.

  3. 03

    What Does 감사합니다 (Kamsahamnida) Mean in Korean?

    Learn what 감사합니다 (kamsahamnida) means and how to choose between 감사합니다, 고마워요, and 고마워 — Korean's three levels of thank you.

  4. 04

    감사합니다 vs 고마워: Which 'Thank You' Should You Use?

    감사합니다, 고마워요, or 고마워? A situation-by-situation guide to choosing the right Korean thank-you, with examples and a quiz.

  5. 05

    What Does 죄송합니다 (Joesonghamnida) Mean in Korean?

    Learn what 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida) means — the formal Korean apology — how it differs from 미안해, and when 'excuse me' uses it too.

  6. 06

    What Does 미안해 (Mianhae) Mean in Korean?

    Learn what 미안해 (mianhae) means — the casual Korean sorry — plus 미안해요, 진짜 미안해, and why K-drama apologies hit differently.

  7. 07

    네 (Ne) vs 응 (Eung): How to Say Yes in Korean

    네 (ne) and 응 (eung) both mean yes — but one is polite and one is casual. Learn which to use, plus 예 (ye) and why 네 doesn't always mean 'yes'.

  8. 08

    What Does 저기요 (Jeogiyo) Mean in Korean?

    Learn what 저기요 (jeogiyo) means — the all-purpose Korean 'excuse me' for calling staff and strangers — plus 여기요 and restaurant culture.

  9. 09

    What Does 어서 오세요 (Eoseo Oseyo) Mean in Korean?

    Learn what 어서 오세요 (eoseo oseyo) means — the 'welcome!' you hear entering every Korean shop — and whether you're supposed to reply.

  10. 10

    Why Do Koreans Ask 밥 먹었어? (Did You Eat?)

    밥 먹었어? (bap meogeosseo) means 'did you eat?' — but it's really a Korean greeting meaning 'how are you?'. Learn the culture and how to answer.

  11. 11

    What Does 잘 먹겠습니다 (Jal Meokgetseumnida) Mean?

    Learn what 잘 먹겠습니다 (jal meokgetseumnida) means — 'I will eat well' — when to say it, and its after-meal partner 잘 먹었습니다.

  12. 12

    What Does 수고했어 (Sugohaesseo) Mean in Korean?

    Learn what 수고했어 (sugohaesseo) means — 'you worked hard / good job' — the levels 수고하셨습니다 and 수고하세요, and why English can't quite translate it.

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