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Nice to Meet You in Korean: 만나서 반갑습니다, 반가워요, or 처음 뵙겠습니다? I Don’t Actually Say 반갑습니다 Every Time I’m Happy to See SomeoneWhen I meet a friend I have not seen for a long time, I would probably say something like “하이, 오랜만이네.” (hai, oraenmanine) — “Hey, long time no see.”If it were a former boss, my first words would be different: “안녕하세요, 잘 지내셨죠?” (annyeonghaseyo, jal jinaesyeotjyo?) — “Hello, you’ve been well, right?”But when I arrive at a new work site o.. 2026. 9. 21.
How Are You in Korean? When 잘 지냈어요? Fits—and When It Doesn’t How Are You in Korean? When 잘 지냈어요? Fits—and When It Doesn’tIf you searched how to say how are you in Korean, one of the first phrases worth learning is 잘 지냈어요? (jal jinaesseoyo?). A natural English sense is “Have you been well?” or “How have you been?” 👋That small shift matters. English “How are you?” can be a quick greeting, a real check-in, or something in between. 잘 지냈어요? looks back over a .. 2026. 9. 21.
Good Morning in Korean Is a Situation, Not One Fixed Phrase Good Morning in Korean Is a Situation, Not One Fixed PhraseIt is 8:40 in the morning. You step into an office elevator, see a coworker, and want to say “Good morning.” If you translate word by word, 좋은 아침 (joeun achim) looks perfect: 좋은 means “good,” and 아침 means “morning.” Easy, right? 🌅But Korean morning greetings do not always line up with English that neatly. In that elevator, 안녕하세요 (annyeo.. 2026. 9. 20.
Please in Korean: What to Say When You Order, Ask a Favor, or Really Beg Please in Korean: What to Say When You Order, Ask a Favor, or Really BegLook at these three English sentences.One Americano, please.Please open the door.Please, don’t leave.The same word appears in all three: please.Now try carrying that one word straight into Korean. This is where things get messy.The coffee order is ordinary. Opening the door is a favor. “Don’t leave” can be a real plea. Korea.. 2026. 9. 20.
Sorry in Korean: What Are You Actually Trying to Fix? Sorry in Korean: What Are You Actually Trying to Fix?You turn around too quickly on the subway and bump into someone.죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida).You move aside. They keep walking.The whole apology lasts maybe three seconds.Now imagine arriving twenty minutes late while your friend has been sitting alone at a café. Or realizing that something you missed at work has created extra work for somebody else.. 2026. 9. 20.
Thank You in Korean: What Comes After 감사합니다? Thank You in Korean: What Comes After 감사합니다?You open a gift from someone close to you.고마워 (gomawo).You could stop there. Most of the time, nobody is waiting for a second line.Still, I often find the next few words more interesting than the thank-you itself.잘 쓸게 (jal sseulge).“I’ll use it well.”Now the gift has a future. You are not just saying that you appreciate it; you are letting the other pe.. 2026. 9. 20.
Goodbye in Korean: Why the Last Thing You Say May Not Mean “Goodbye” Goodbye in Korean: Why the Last Thing You Say May Not Mean “Goodbye”A date ends late at night. Two people stand outside for another minute even though the conversation is already over. One starts walking toward the bus stop. The other turns toward home.What do they say?You might expect a neat Korean version of “Goodbye.” Sometimes there is one. But just as often, the last words may sound more li.. 2026. 9. 20.
Hello in Korean: When Does 안녕하세요 Become 안녕? Hello in Korean: When Does 안녕하세요 Become 안녕?Alex meets Minji for the first time.They talk for a few minutes, and then something comes up: they are both 25.Same age. Easy, right? Alex has seen 안녕 (annyeong) translated as “hi,” so this seems like the perfect moment to use it.But Minji smiles and says:안녕하세요.And Alex says the same thing back.Nothing went wrong. Nobody missed a rule. This tiny moment .. 2026. 9. 20.
Good Luck in Korean: What Koreans Actually Say Before an Exam, Interview, or Tough Day Good Luck in Korean: What Koreans Actually Say Before an Exam, Interview, or Tough DayBefore my girlfriend Sua takes an exam or goes to an interview, I rarely say anything that literally means “I wish you luck.”I usually say something much simpler:시험 잘 보고 와. (siheom jal bogo wa.)“Do well on your exam.”잘하고 와. (jalhago wa.)“Go do well.”And if she looks nervous, I might add, 잘할 수 있지? (jalhal su itj.. 2026. 9. 20.
Good Night in Korean: 잘 자 vs 안녕히 주무세요—and What to Say When It’s Not Bedtime Good Night in Korean: 잘 자 vs 안녕히 주무세요—and What to Say When It’s Not BedtimeA pillow and a subway exit can both appear late at night. Only one of them is really a bedtime scene.Picture this: your partner texts, “I’m going to sleep.” You reply, 잘 자. (jal ja.) Later, a friend leaves a late dinner and heads for the subway. This time, 조심히 들어가. (josimhi deureoga.) — “Get home safely” — may fit much be.. 2026. 9. 19.

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