Greetings and Social Basics in Survival Korean

How greetings work in real life

In Korean, greetings are tightly connected to social distance (stranger vs friend), status (older vs younger), and the setting (service situation vs personal). You will often choose between a polite “default” style for safety and a casual style for close friends. This chapter focuses on ready-to-use phrases and how to pick the right one by encounter type.

Quick etiquette anchors (use these while speaking)

• Use titles + -님 when you don’t know someone well or when being respectful: 사장님 (boss/owner), 선생님 (teacher), 기사님 (driver), 고객님 (customer), 직원님 (staff). If you know a surname: 김님 is uncommon; better: 김 선생님 or role-based titles.
• Use “저” vs “나”: 저 (I, polite) for strangers/service/elders; 나 (I, casual) for close friends. When in doubt, choose 저.
• Two hands: When giving/receiving passports, cards, money, gifts, or documents, use two hands (or one hand supporting the wrist) to show respect.
• Small bow + eye contact: A slight bow is common with greetings, especially in formal contexts.

1) Meeting someone (first time)

Core greetings (formal → casual)

When to use (fast decision guide)

• Strangers, service staff, elders: Start with 안녕하세요? + (optional) 처음 뵙겠습니다.
• Someone introduced by a friend (same age-ish): 안녕하세요? is still fine; switch to casual only if they do first.
• Close friends: 안녕!

Plug-and-play: introducing yourself

Use this template when meeting someone in a hotel, tour, meetup, or any first-time interaction.

안녕하세요? 저는 [이름]입니다. 처음 뵙겠습니다.

Example:

안녕하세요? 저는 민지입니다. 처음 뵙겠습니다.

If you want to add nationality (polite):

저는 [나라] 사람입니다.

Example:

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저는 캐나다 사람입니다.

Plug-and-play: confirming names (step-by-step)

1. Ask their name politely: 성함이 어떻게 되세요? (very polite) or 이름이 뭐예요? (less formal, still okay in many casual settings).
2. Confirm what you heard: [이름]님 맞으세요? (use -님 to be respectful).
3. Say your name again if needed: 저는 [이름]입니다.

Useful lines:

• 성함이 어떻게 되세요? = What is your name? (polite)
• 제가 잘 못 들었어요. = I didn’t hear well.
• 다시 한 번 말씀해 주세요. = Please say it one more time.
• 철자(스펠링)로 말씀해 주실 수 있어요? = Could you tell me the spelling?

2) Re-meeting someone

Core phrases

When to use

• Elders/clients/official settings: 오랜만입니다 + 잘 지내셨어요?
• Friendly but still polite: 오랜만이에요 is common and warm.

Mini small talk (safe topics)

Keep it simple: well-being, trip status, first time in Korea, and basic plans.

• 요즘 어떻게 지내세요? = How have you been lately?
• 한국은 처음이세요? = Is it your first time in Korea?
• 여행이에요 / 출장(이에요). = It’s a trip / business trip.
• 며칠(동안) 계세요? = How many days are you staying?

3) Getting someone’s attention (politely)

In Korean, you often start with a short attention-getter, then your request. For strangers, keep it polite and add a softener like “잠시만요” (just a moment).

Core attention phrases

Step-by-step template: ask a stranger for help

1. Get attention: 저기요.
2. Soften: 죄송한데요…
3. Ask your question: (keep it short)
4. Thank: 감사합니다.

Plug-and-play request starters:

• …좀 도와주실 수 있어요? = Could you help me?
• …어디예요? = Where is …?
• …어떻게 가요? = How do I get to …?

4) Leaving / ending an interaction

Ending politely matters in Korean. You can end with a thanks + a closing phrase. In service situations, you’ll often hear staff say a polite goodbye first; you can mirror it.

Core leaving phrases (by context)

Step-by-step: ending a conversation politely

1. Signal you’re wrapping up: 그럼… (Well then…)
2. Give a reason (optional): 이제 가봐야 해요. (I should go now.)
3. Thank / appreciate: 도와주셔서 감사합니다.
4. Goodbye: 안녕히 계세요 or 안녕히 가세요

5) Texting-style quick exchanges (short and natural)

Text messages often drop subjects and become shorter. Keep politeness with endings like 요 when texting someone you don’t know well.

Common quick messages

Mini templates for texting

• Introduce yourself (first message): 안녕하세요! 저는 [이름]입니다. [상황] 때문에 연락드렸어요.
• Confirm identity: [이름]님 맞으세요?
• Set a time: [시간]에 괜찮으세요?

Plug-and-play small talk blocks (travel-friendly)

Nationality

저는 [나라]에서 왔어요.  (I’m from [country].)

Example: 저는 호주에서 왔어요.

First time in Korea

한국은 처음이에요.  (It’s my first time in Korea.)

Not first time:

처음은 아니에요.  (It’s not my first time.)

Simple trip purpose

여행이에요. / 출장(이에요).  (I’m traveling. / I’m on a business trip.)

Mini role-plays (copy and practice)

Role-play 1: Hotel check-in greeting

Etiquette note: Hand your passport/card with two hands.

Role-play 2: Asking a passerby for a moment

Swap-in options: Replace [장소] with 지하철역 (subway station), 화장실 (restroom), 버스 정류장 (bus stop).

Role-play 3: Ending a conversation politely