Travel Phrases — Entry No. 0100
안녕하세요
annyeonghaseyo · expression
안녕하세요
annyeonghaseyo
[ahn-NYUNG-ha-say-yo]
expressionbeginner
Meaning
안녕하세요 is Korea’s all-purpose polite greeting, equivalent to “Hello” or “How are you?” in English. Literally translated, it means “Are you at peace?” — a reflection of the Korean value placed on harmony and well-being. It is the essential greeting for meeting someone for the first time, addressing elders, teachers, or anyone you’re not yet on casual terms with.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
If you’ve ever watched a BTS FESTA dinner or a BLACKPINK fan meeting live stream, you’ve heard 안녕하세요 as the very first word — idols always open with it when greeting fans or introducing themselves on shows like Inkigayo and Music Bank. Stray Kids’ Bang Chan famously opens every broadcast with a bright “안녕하세요, 방찬입니다!” (“Hello, I’m Bang Chan!”), and aespa’s members use it in every MY diary vlog. In the beloved drama Crash Landing on You, the greeting carries enormous emotional weight as characters from two different worlds meet for the very first time.
Example Sentences
안녕하세요, 저는 뷔예요. 만나서 정말 반가워요!
Annyeonghaseyo, jeoneun Bwi-yeyo. Mannaseo jeongmal bangawoyo!
“Hello, I’m V. I’m so genuinely happy to meet you!” — the warm, slightly starstruck energy of an idol greeting fans at a fan sign event.
선생님, 안녕하세요!
Seonsaengnim, annyeonghaseyo!
“Hello, teacher!” — respectful and bright, the classic school-hallway greeting that signals you know your Korean etiquette.
안녕하세요, 한국에 처음 왔어요. 잘 부탁드려요!
Annyeonghaseyo, Hanguge cheoeum wasseoyo. Jal butakdeuryeoyo!
“Hello, I’ve come to Korea for the first time. Please look after me!” — the politely nervous energy of a first-time visitor wanting to make the best possible impression.
⚠️ Don’t use annyeonghaseyo when…
- Texting or chatting with close friends your own age — switch to the casual 안녕 (annyeong) so you don’t sound awkwardly stiff or like you’re reading from a textbook.
- Answering a phone call — Koreans say 여보세요 (yeoboseyo) when picking up, not 안녕하세요, even in fully polite contexts.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Crash Landing on You (2019–2020) — Yoon Se-ri and Ri Jeong-hyuk’s cautious first exchanges are full of formal 안녕하세요 moments, where a simple greeting carries the weight of two worlds colliding.
- K-Pop: BTS — every official group introduction at award shows and fan events opens with a synchronized “안녕하세요, 방탄소년단입니다!” (“Hello, we are BTS!”), a phrase that has now been heard by billions worldwide.
💡 Did You Know? The word 안녕 (annyeong) at the heart of this greeting traces back to the Chinese characters 安寧, meaning “peace” and “tranquility.” So every time a Korean person says 안녕하세요, they’re literally asking whether you’re living in a state of peaceful calm — a greeting philosophy that goes far deeper than a simple “hey.”
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.