Two Options: Option A has a moderately formal ending, which is suitable for most everyday interactions with customers, colleagues and strangers. Option B has a fully formal ending and is suitable for corporate settings.

When Can I Use This Phrase (Options A & B)? The phrase is an equivalent of “Hello”, “How Are You?”, “Good Morning”, “Good Afternoon”, “Good Evening”, etc. You can use it to greet someone. Note that this phrase, although an equivalent of “Hello”, is not used for starting a telephone conversation.

Pronunciation Tip: Native speakers say the whole phrase without a pause. However, if you have difficulty simulating the sound, it is perfectly fine to insert a brief pause at the position marked with a double slash “//”. Doing so may make your pronunciation better understood.

--- OPTION A (Moderately Formal) ---

Play Sound
Ahn Nyung // Ha Seh Yo? 안녕하세요?

Pronunciation Practice: It may be helpful to our readers if we break down the sound file into two parts. Listen to and practice the first and second parts of the phrase separately and then combine them.

First Part
Second Part
Whole Phrase

--- OPTION B (Fully Formal) ---

Play Sound
Ahn Nyung // Ha Sim Ni Ka? 안녕하십니까?

Pronunciation Practice: Listen to and practice the first and second parts of the phrase separately and then combine them.

First Part
Second Part
Whole Phrase

Play Sound
Gam Sah // Ham Ni Da 감사합니다.

When Can I Use This Phrase? This phrase is an equivalent of “Thank You”.

Degree of Formality: The phrase shown here has a formal (polite) ending. It can be used for customers, business partners and strangers.

Pronunciation Tip: Native speakers say the whole phrase without a pause. However, if you have difficulty simulating the sound, it is perfectly fine to insert a brief pause at the position marked with a double slash “//”. Doing so may make your pronunciation better understood.

Pronunciation Practice: It may be helpful to our readers if we break down the sound file into two parts. Listen to and practice the first and second parts of the phrase separately and then combine them.

First Part
Second Part
Whole Phrase

<Form 1>
Play Sound
Yeh 예
<Form 2>
Play Sound
Neh 네

Important Note: There are two formal phrases meaning “Yes” in Korean: “Yeh” and "Neh". The second form, “Neh", may sound like a negative answer to speakers of some Western languages, but it also means “Yes” in Korean. Which form to use is matter of personal preference; both are used with equal frequencies.

Degree of Formality: Both are formal (polite) phrases. They can be used for customers, business partners and strangers.

Play Sound
Ah Ni Yo 아니요.

Degree of Formality: The phrase shown here is sufficiently formal (polite) to be used for customers, business partners and strangers

Play Sound
Sil Lye // Ham Ni Da 실례합니다.

When Can I Use This Phrase? This phrase is roughly an equivalent of “Excuse me” (although the literal meaning is different). You can use it to politely get someone's attention or when you are about to cause minor inconvenience to someone. There are, however, some differences between the English and Korean phrases. The Korean phrase as shown here should not be used if you have already caused trouble (one second ago, for example); then you should say the phrase in the past tense (not shown here). Also, the Korean phrase cannot be used to indicate that you did not clearly hear what another person said.

Degree of Formality: The phrase shown here has a formal (polite) ending. It can be used for customers, business partners and strangers.

Pronunciation Tip: Native speakers say the whole phrase without a pause. However, if you have difficulty simulating the sound, it is perfectly fine to insert a brief pause at the position marked with a double slash “//”. Doing so may make your pronunciation better understood.

Pronunciation Practice: It may be helpful to our readers if we break down the sound file into two parts. Listen to and practice the first and second parts of the phrase separately and then combine them.

First Part
Second Part
Whole Phrase

Play Sound
Jam Si Man Yo 잠시만요.

When Can I Use This Phrase? This phrase is an equivalent of “One moment, please”. You can use it to ask someone to wait for a brief moment.

Degree of Formality: The phrase shown here is sufficiently formal (polite) to be used for customers, business partners and strangers

Play Sound
Young Uh // Ha Seh Yo? 영어 하세요?

Degree of Formality: The phrase shown here is sufficiently formal (polite) to be used for customers, business partners and strangers

Pronunciation Tip: Native speakers say the whole phrase without a pause. However, if you have difficulty simulating the sound, it is perfectly fine to insert a brief pause at the position marked with a double slash “//”. Doing so may make your pronunciation better understood.

Pronunciation Practice: It may be helpful to our readers if we break down the sound file into two parts. Listen to and practice the first and second parts of the phrase separately and then combine them.

First Part
Second Part
Whole Phrase

Play Sound
Saeng Il // Chook Ha // Ham Ni Da 생일 축하합니다.

When Can I Use This Phrase? This phrase is an equivalent of “Happy Birthday”.

Degree of Formality: The phrase shown here is sufficiently formal (polite) to be used for most customers, business partners, etc. However, do not use this phrase for your relatives who are in your parent’s or grandparent’s generation (you should use a different phrase). Even in business settings, if the other person is clearly in your grandparent’s generation, this phrase may not sound respectful enough (but not necessarily rude, especially if they know you are a foreigner).

Pronunciation Tip: Native speakers say the whole phrase without a pause. However, if you have difficulty simulating the sound, it is perfectly fine to insert a brief pause at the positions marked with a double slash “//”. Doing so may make your pronunciation better understood.

Pronunciation Practice: It may be helpful to our readers if we break down the sound file into three parts. Listen to and practice each part of the phrase separately and then combine them.

First Part
Second Part
Third Part
Whole Phrase

Play Sound
Chook Ha // Ham Ni Da 축하합니다.

When Can I Use This Phrase? This phrase is an equivalent of “Congratulations”. You can use it to congratulate someone on anything.

Degree of Formality: The phrase shown here has a formal (polite) ending. It can be used for customers, business partners, etc.

Pronunciation Tip: Native speakers say the whole phrase without a pause. However, if you have difficulty simulating the sound, it is perfectly fine to insert a brief pause at the position marked with a double slash “//”. Doing so may make your pronunciation better understood.

Pronunciation Practice: It may be helpful to our readers if we break down the sound file into two parts. Listen to and practice the first and second parts of the phrase separately and then combine them.

First Part
Second Part
Whole Phrase

Play Sound
Uh Suh // O Seh Yo 어서 오세요.

When Can I Use This Phrase? This phrase is used typically in a small business setting (e.g., restaurants and shops) to welcome guests.

Degree of Formality: The phrase shown here is sufficiently formal (polite) to be used for customers.

Pronunciation Tip: Native speakers say the whole phrase without a pause. However, if you have difficulty simulating the sound, it is perfectly fine to insert a brief pause at the position marked with a double slash “//”. Doing so may make your pronunciation better understood.

Pronunciation Practice: It may be helpful to our readers if we break down the sound file into two parts. Listen to and practice the first and second parts of the phrase separately and then combine them.

First Part
Second Part
Whole Phrase