Master ‘Annyeonghaseyo’ Like a K-Drama CEO!
Hello! It’s your friendly guide from Maeil Hangeul, here to level up your Korean skills!
Today, we’re diving into the most important phrase in Korean: the formal greeting. This is your key to making a great first impression, whether you’re meeting a new colleague, a teacher, or your favorite idol’s parents! Have you ever noticed in K-dramas how characters show respect when they first meet? Especially in those popular office dramas, a polite and confident first greeting sets the tone for everything. Let’s learn how to greet someone formally and confidently, just like a star from a hit Seoul drama!
Your First Impression Toolkit (3 Key Expressions)
Here are the essential phrases you need for any formal first meeting.
- 한국어 표현: 안녕하세요
- 발음 [로마자]: An-nyeong-ha-se-yo
- 영어 뜻: Hello / Good day
- 상세 설명: This is the most famous and versatile Korean greeting. It literally means “Are you at peace?”. You can use it at any time of day. It’s polite, respectful, and perfect for when you meet someone for the first time, or when greeting someone older or of higher status than you. When you say it, it’s polite to give a slight bow or a nod of your head.
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한국어 표현: 처음 뵙겠습니다
- 발음 [로마자]: Cheo-eum boep-ge-sseum-ni-da
- 영어 뜻: It’s the first time we’re meeting. (Nice to meet you for the first time.)
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상세 설명: This is a very formal and polite expression used only when you are meeting someone for the very first time. It shows a high level of respect. You would typically say “안녕하세요” first, followed by “처음 뵙겠습니다.”
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한국어 표현: 만나서 반갑습니다
- 발음 [로마자]: Man-na-seo ban-gap-seum-ni-da
- 영어 뜻: It’s nice to meet you.
- 상세 설명: This is the standard, polite way to say “Nice to meet you.” It’s a little less formal than “처음 뵙겠습니다” but is still perfectly appropriate for most first encounters, including business settings. You can use it right after “안녕하세요.”
Example Dialogue: A K-Drama Moment
Imagine two new colleagues, Minjun and Sora, meeting for the first time at their new company, just like in the popular drama “Startup Success.”
A (Minjun): 안녕하세요. 처음 뵙겠습니다. 제 이름은 김민준입니다.
(Annyeonghaseyo. Cheoeum boepgesseumnida. Je ireum-eun Kim Minjun-imnida.)
(Hello. It’s a pleasure to meet you for the first time. My name is Kim Minjun.)
B (Sora): 네
