Korean has two polite goodbyes, and the choice depends on who is leaving. Say 안녕히 가세요 (annyeonghi gaseyo, "go in peace") to someone who is leaving, and 안녕히 계세요 (annyeonghi gyeseyo, "stay in peace") to someone who is staying while you go. With friends, a simple 안녕 (annyeong) or 잘 가 (jal ga) works.
- To someone leaving
- 안녕히 가세요 (annyeonghi gaseyo)
- To someone staying
- 안녕히 계세요 (annyeonghi gyeseyo)
- Casual
- 안녕 (annyeong), 잘 가 (jal ga)
- See you
- 또 봐요 (tto bwayo)
- Level
- A1
Annyeonghi gaseyo or annyeonghi gyeseyo: which one?
Picture who walks away. 가세요 (gaseyo) comes from 가다, to go, so you say it to the person going. 계세요 (gyeseyo) is the honorific of 있다, to stay or be, so you say it as you leave someone behind. Leaving a shop, you say 안녕히 계세요 to the assistant, and the assistant answers 안녕히 가세요.
When both of you are walking off in different directions, nobody stays, so both say 안녕히 가세요.
| Korean | Romanization | Speech level | Situation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 안녕히 가세요 | annyeonghi gaseyo | Polite | The other person leaves, or you both leave |
| 안녕히 계세요 | annyeonghi gyeseyo | Polite | You leave; the other person stays |
| 안녕히 가십시오 | annyeonghi gasipsio | Formal (합쇼체) | Staff to customers, announcements |
| 안녕히 계십시오 | annyeonghi gyesipsio | Formal (합쇼체) | Leaving a very formal meeting |
| 잘 가 | jal ga | Casual (반말) | To a friend who is leaving |
| 잘 있어 | jal isseo | Casual (반말) | To a friend who stays as you go |
안녕히 (annyeonghi) is the adverb from the same 안녕 that gives you hello, so both phrases wish the other person peace. The casual 안녕 covers hello and goodbye alike (see how to say hello in Korean).
How do you say see you later in Korean?
These sit happily after a goodbye, or replace it between friends. Drop 요 (yo) for the casual version.
또 봐요.
Tto bwayo.
See you again.
내일 봐.
Naeil bwa.
See you tomorrow.
Casual.
다음에 봐요.
Daeume bwayo.
See you next time.
조심히 가세요.
Josimhi gaseyo.
Get home safely.
Literally "go carefully".
들어가세요.
Deureogaseyo.
Take care.
Literally "go on in (home)"; common when parting and when ending phone calls.
How do you say good night in Korean?
For bedtime goodbyes, Korean uses sleep verbs. With parents, grandparents or anyone older, 안녕히 주무세요 (annyeonghi jumuseyo) uses the honorific verb for sleeping. Between friends, or to a child, 잘 자 (jal ja) is enough.
안녕히 주무세요.
Annyeonghi jumuseyo.
Good night.
Respectful; said to elders.
잘 자.
Jal ja.
Sleep well.
Casual.
잘 자요.
Jal jayo.
Good night.
Polite, to someone you are not formal with.
What goodbye mistakes should learners avoid?
Mixing up 가세요 and 계세요 is the classic one, and Koreans will understand you anyway. The bigger risk is register: 잘 가 or 안녕 to an older person sounds careless. Leaving shops, you will also hear 수고하세요 (sugohaseyo, "keep up the good work"); many people say it to staff, but it is best avoided with someone senior, who may find it presumptuous. If you have to leave early, pair the goodbye with an apology: see how to say sorry in Korean.
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Read free in your browserFrequently asked questions
Does annyeong mean hello or goodbye?
Both. 안녕 (annyeong) is the casual greeting for friends and children, used on arriving and on leaving. Context tells you which.
What do you say when leaving a shop in Korean?
You are leaving and the staff are staying, so say 안녕히 계세요 (annyeonghi gyeseyo). Staff will usually say 안녕히 가세요 (annyeonghi gaseyo) or 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) as you go.
How do you say bye on the phone in Korean?
Polite calls often end with 네, 들어가세요 (ne, deureogaseyo). Between friends, 응, 안녕 (eung, annyeong) or 끊을게 (kkeuneulge, I'll hang up) is common.
Is annyeonghi gaseyo formal?
It is polite rather than strictly formal, so it suits nearly everyone. The formal versions end in -십시오: 안녕히 가십시오 (annyeonghi gasipsio).