Do you plan on working in South Korea or visiting for a business trip? If so, it’s important that you learn the most common business Korean phrases. 

In this article, we’ll introduce you to the most essential Korean for business, so that you’ll be prepared for any situation. By the time you finish reading, you should feel more confident in your abilities to navigate a variety of workplace or business situations, from performing well in your job interview to chatting with coworkers.

Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

1. Why is it Important to Study Business Phrases?
2. Nail Your Job Interview in Korean
3. Business Phrases to Interact with Coworkers
4. Business Phrases to Sound Smart in a Meeting
5. Business Phrases to Handle Business Phone Calls & Emails
6. Phrases for Your Business Trip
7. Business Phrases to Greet Your Colleagues & Boss at Work
8. It’s Important to Understand Business Etiquette in Korea

1. Why is it Important to Study Business Phrases? 

If you’re planning to work in Korea or find a job position that requires you to speak Korean, a working knowledge of business Korean is crucial. For example, in business settings, you must use the highest politeness form to communicate with native Korean speakers; if you fail to speak business Korean, your opinions may not be heard. 

By studying business Korean, you will not only be able to work effectively with Korean colleagues, but you’ll also gain their respect. Korean business is all about building relationships and respecting each other so that you can work as a team. 

Are you ready to learn business Korean phrases with KoreanClass101? Then let’s go!

2. Nail Your Job Interview in Korean

Job interviews are intimidating enough in one’s native language, let alone in a foreign language! In the following sections, we’ll provide you with some practical business-level Korean for your interview.

Greetings and Introductions

Many interviewers will start by asking you to introduce yourself. As simple as it sounds, we know that self-introductions can be difficult, especially since you want to impress your interviewer.

Use the Korean phrase below to kick off your self-introduction in Korean! 

안녕하십니까. [company’s name] [name of the position] 지원자 [name]입니다. (Annyeonghasimnikka. [company’s name] [name of the position] Jiwonja [name]imnida). “Hello. I am [name], an applicant for [company’s name] [position].”

Always start with a greeting, because neglecting to do so will make you sound rude to the interviewer. First of all, there are two common greetings you can use:

• The Korean business greeting 안녕하십니까 (annyeonghasimnikka) is the most commonly used.
• Some people opt to use 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) to sound less serious and more friendly.

Which greeting you use is totally up to you and how you want to approach the interview. In addition, you can replace 안녕하십니까 (annyeonghasimnikka) with 처음 뵙겠습니다 (cheoeum boebgessseumnida), which means “Nice to meet you.” Better yet, you can say the two phrases together!

Examples: 

안녕하십니까. 코리안클래스101 인턴 지원자 박효선입니다.
Annyeonghasimnikka. Koriankeullaeseu101 inteon jiwonja bakhyoseonimnida.
“Hello. I am Hyosun Park, an applicant for a KoreanClass101 internship.”

안녕하세요, 처음뵙겠습니다. 코리안클래스101 마케팅 지원자 매커드 미카엘입니다.
Annyeonghaseyo. Cheoeum boebgessseumnida.Koriankeullaeseu101 maketing jiwonja maekeodeu mikaelimnida.
“Hello, I am Mccard Michael, an applicant for KoreanClass101 marketing.”

Using one of these sentences is a safe way to start your self-introduction, so do memorize them. You can check out our lessons “Tell us about yourself in Korean” and “Introduce yourself in a Korean business meeting” to learn many other ways of introducing yourself in Korean. 

How to Sound Smart When Asking Questions

At the end of the interview, interviewers will ask: 

질문있으십니까?
Jilmunisseusimnikka?
“Do you have any questions?”

Or:

마지막으로 하고 싶은 말이나 궁금하신 점 있으십니까?
Majimageuro hago sipeun marina gunggeumhasin jeom isseusimnikka?
“Is there anything else you want to say?”

You can ask any questions, but the following business phrases in Korean tend to be favored by HR managers. 

이 회사에서 성공하려면 제가 지원하는 직무에서 필요한 자질은 무엇입니까? I hoesaeseo seonggongharyeomyeon jega jiwonhaheun jikmueseo piryohan jajireun mueotimnikka? “What qualities do I need in my job application to be successful in this company?” 이 회사에서 직원의 자기계발을 위해 어떠한 교육을 지원합니까? I hoesaeseo jikwonui jagigyebareul wihae eotteohan gyoyugeul jiwonhamnikka? “What training does the company support for employee self-development?”

Note that if you’re still a beginner in Korean, you should skip these phrases for now. But if you are an upper-intermediate or advanced learner, we recommend that you memorize these sentences and make the most of your chance to impress your interviewers.

3. Business Phrases to Interact with Coworkers

Building personal relationships is a crucial part of doing business in Korea. This is because Koreans believe that by turning business relationships into personal relationships, they can establish trust and build better working relationships between business partners. To facilitate this, colleagues often go out for drinks to build or maintain their relationships. 

If you go drinking or have dinner with your coworkers, you’ll have a chance to get to know your colleagues a lot better. After all, you spend more than forty hours a week at work, and you never know if some of your coworkers will turn out to be your best friends. 

Also, depending on the company’s culture, after-work drinking may be considered “extended” work, so it’s important to behave as such. This style is fading away slowly. We recommend adjusting your behavior according to the atmosphere of the event.

Here are some useful Korean business phrases for interacting with your coworkers! 

Do you want to go drinking with us?

이번주 금요일 회식할 예정인데 시간돼요? Ibeonju geumyoil hoesikhal yejeonginde sigandwaeyo? “We are going to have dinner next Friday, do you want to join us? 오늘 저녁 회식하려고 해요. 같이 가지 않을래요? Oneul jeonyeok hoesikharyeogo haeyo. Gachi gaji aneullaeyo? “We are going to have dinner tonight. Would you like to come with us?” 오늘 금요일이니까 같이 한 잔 하러 갈까? Oneul geumyoirinikka gachi han jan hareo galkka? “It’s Friday, shall we go drinking?”

Of course, you can adjust the phrases above to match your circumstances. 

Examples: 

폴, 다음주 월요일 회식할 예정인데 시간돼요? 
Pol, daeumju woryoil hoesikhal yejeonginde sigandwaeyo?
“Paul, we are going to have dinner next Monday, do you want to join us?”

오늘 저녁 회식하려고 하는데, 같이 가지 않을래요? 
Oneul jeonyeok hoesikharyeogo haeyo. Gachi gaji aneullaeyo?
“We are going to have dinner this evening, would you like to go with us?”

내일 금요일이니까 같이 한 잔 하러 갈까? 
Naeil geumyoirinikka gachi han jan hareo galkka?
“Since tomorrow is going to be Friday, shall we go drinking (tomorrow)?”

Did you know that there’s a Korean gesture that means “Let’s go drink”? Check out the “Let’s Go for a Drink” section of our blog article “10 Korean Hand Gestures You Need to Know” for more details! 

Yes, I would love to!

If you don’t have any plans and want to hang out with your coworkers, you can agree to go with them by saying: 

네, 그럼요.  Ne, geureomyo. “Yes, of course.” 네, 시간 괜찮아요. 같이 가요.  Ne, sigan gwaenchanayo. Gachi gayo. “Yes, I’m available. Let’s go.”

Now, let’s put it into context using the phrases we covered earlier:

폴, 다음주 월요일 회식할 예정인데 시간돼요? 
Pol, daeumju woryoil hoesikhal yejeonginde sigandwaeyo?
“Paul, we are going to have dinner next Monday, do you want to join us?”

네, 시간 괜찮아요. 같이 가요. 
Ne, sigan gwaenchanayo. Gachi gayo.
“Yes, I’m available. Let’s go.”

If you want to learn more Korean business phrases for accepting an invitation, check out the “Accepting an Invitation” lesson on our website. 

No, I can’t go, sorry!

You don’t have to say “yes” to every drinking-out event with your coworkers. They’ll understand if you say no, so don’t feel guilty about declining their invitation. If you have other plans, you can say: 

죄송해요, 그날 약속이 있어서 못 갈 것 같아요.  Joesonghaeyo, Geunal yagsogi isseoseo mot gal geot gatayo. “I am sorry, I have some plans on that day, so I won’t be able to come.”  다음에 기회가 되면 초대해주세요.  Daeume gihoega doemyeon chodaehaejuseyo. “Please invite me next time you have a chance.” 너무 가고 싶지만 못 갈 것 같아요.   Neomu gago sipjiman mot gal geot gatayo. “I would love to go, but I can’t.”

Let’s put it into context:

내일 금요일이니까 같이 한 잔 하러 갈까? 
Naeil geumyoirinikka gachi han jan hareo galkka?
“Since tomorrow is going to be Friday, shall we go drinking (tomorrow)?”

죄송해요, 그날 약속이 있어서 못 갈 것 같아요. 
Joesonghaeyo, Geunal yagsogi isseoseo mot gal geot gatayo.
“I am sorry, I have some plans on that day, so I won’t be able to come.”

We have study materials for “Declining an Invitation,” where we discuss this in more detail. Check it out when you have time!

4. Business Phrases to Sound Smart in a Meeting

Depending on where you plan to work, there may be required business meetings. Don’t worry! In this section, we’ll introduce you to some practical Korean for business meetings. 

Shall we begin?

The business phrase below is commonly used by whoever leads the meeting. When your manager says this phrase, you can reply to him or her with 네 (ne), meaning “yes,” or simply use the silence to indirectly say that you are “ready.”

다들 모였으니, 시작할까요? Dadeul moyeosseuni, sijakhalkkayo? “Since everyone is here, shall we start?”

Example: 

매니저: 다들 모였으니, 시작할까요?
Maenijeo: Dadeul moyeosseuni, sijakhalkkayo?
“Since everyone is here, shall we start?”

소연: 네. 
Soyeon: Ne.
Soyeon: “Yes, please.”

Let’s think of a different situation. What if you are the one who needs to lead a meeting? The phrase below is commonly used to begin a meeting, and is versatile enough to be used with your partner, a client, or even your coworkers. 

바쁘신 와중에 시간 내주셔서 감사합니다. 그럼 시작하겠습니다. Bappeusin wajunge sigan naejusyeoseo gamsahamnida. Geureom sijakhagessseumnida. “Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule. Let’s get started.”

I agree with you.

네, 동의합니다. Ne, donguihamnida. “Yes, I agree.”  저도 같은 생각을 가지고 있습니다. Jeodo gateun saenggageul gajigo itsseubnida. “I have the same idea.”

Example: 

다른 분들도 동의하시나요? 
Dareun bundeuldo donguihasinayo?
“Do you agree with me?”

네, 동의합니다. 
Ne, donguihamnida.
“Yes, I agree.”

After you’ve expressed agreement with someone’s idea, you may want to add more information or your point of view on the topic. Here’s a useful phrase for this: 

~님의 의견에 조금 더 덧붙이자면  ~nimui uigyeone jogeum deo deotbuchijamyeon “I would like to add a little opinion to (someone)~”

Example: 

다른 분들도 동의하시나요? 
Dareun bundeuldo donguihasinayo?
“Do you agree with me?”

네, 동의합니다. 추가로 대리님의 의견에 더 덧붙이자면… 
Ne, donguihamnida. Chugaro daerinimui uigyeone jogeum deo deotbuchijamyeon…
“Yes, I agree. I would like to add my opinion to daerinum…”

I disagree with you.

In business, it’s normal to sometimes disagree with each other. Just remember to stay calm and communicate with each other respectfully. Here are some business phrases you can use to disagree with someone during a meeting. 

죄송하지만 동의할 수 없는데요.  Joesonghajiman donguihal su eomneundeyo. “I am sorry, but I can’t agree with you.” 음, 그렇군요. 하지만 저는 조금 다른 생각을 갖고 있습니다. Eum, geureokunyo. Hajiman jeoneun jogeum dareun saenggageul gatgo itseumnida. “Hmm, right. But I have a slightly different idea.”

Example: 

다른 분들도 동의하시나요? 
Dareun bundeuldo donguihasinayo?
“Do you agree with me?”

대리님, 저는 조금 다른 생각을 갖고 있습니다.
Daerinim, jeoneun jogeum dareun saenggag-eul gatgo itsseumnida.
“I have a slightly different idea.”

아 그래요? 말씀해보세요. 
A gerlaeyo? Malsseumhaeboseyo.
“Oh, is that so? Please tell me.”

Check out the “Essential Phrases for Doing Business Successfully” vocabulary list on KoreanClass101.com. There, you’ll learn twenty Korean business phrases that you can use at work right away!

5. Business Phrases to Handle Business Phone Calls & Emails

Handling business phone calls can be daunting for non-native speakers. All of the other elements you could usually apply to understand what a person is saying—such as facial expression and body language—become invisible, and you’ll have to solely rely upon the tone of their voice. However, there is always a simple manual that you can use as guidance when handling business phone calls.

When You Pick Up the Phone

Let’s say that you’re in charge of picking up phone calls. 여보세요 (yeoboseyo), a phrase that’s commonly used in daily life to say “Hello?” is rarely used in business environments. 

Instead, you should use one of these two phrases when answering a phone call at work: 

네 [company] 입니다. Ne [company] imnida. “Yes, this is [company].” 네, [company] 의 [name]입니다. Ne [company]eui [name] imnida. “Yes, this is [company]. [Name] speaking.”

Example: 

네, 코리안클래스101의 김지연입니다. 
Ne, koriankeullaeseu101ui gimjiyeonimnida.
“Hello, this is KoreanClass101. Kim Jiyeon speaking.”

After you’ve used one of those phrases, the person who called will introduce themself as well. 

안녕하세요, [company]의 [name] 입니다. [reason] 때문에 전화드렸습니다. Annyeonghaseyo, [company]ui [name] imnida. [reason] ttaemune jeonhwadeuryeotseumnida. “Hello, this is [name] of [company]. I called for [reason].”

Let’s put it into context:

네, 코리안클래스101의 김지연입니다. 
Ne, koriankeullaeseu101ui gimjiyeonimnida.
“Hello, this is KoreanClass101 Kim Jiyeon speaking”

안녕하세요, ABCD의 김철수입니다. 오늘 미팅 건때문에 전화드렸습니다. 
Annyeonghaseyo, ABCDui gimcheolsuimnida. Oneul miting geonttaemune jeonhwadeuryeotseumnida.
“Hello, this is Kim Cheol-soo from ABCD. I called you for the meeting today.”

Usually, the receiver will continue the conversation with: 

아, 네 안녕하세요. 
A, ne annyeonghaseyo.
“Ah, yes hello.”

Or:

네 네 말씀하세요. 
Ne ne malsseumhaseyo.
“Yes, yes, tell me.”

Here’s a tip for you: If you find it too difficult to understand the speaker on the phone, kindly ask them to email you instead. It’s also okay to request them to send a summary of the phone call, because in practice, it’s quite common to do this in Korea. You can say:

말씀하신 내용을 이메일로 받을 수 있을까요? Malsseumhasin naeyongeul imeillo badeul su isseulkkayo? “Could you send the summary (or request) from the phone call to my email?”

When Someone is Not Available for a Phone Call

When a caller wants to speak to someone else on your team, but he or she is not available due to a meeting, you can use one of these common Korean business phrases to let the caller know that he or she is not available. 

죄송하지만, [name] 은/는 지금 미팅중이세요. Joesonghajiman, [name] eun/neun jigeum mitingjungiseyo. “I am sorry, but [name] is in a meeting at the moment.”  Or: 지금 미팅중이신데 메모라도 남겨드릴까요? Jigeum mitingjungisinde memorado namgyeodeurilkkayo? “He/she is in the meeting right now, would you like me to write a message for him/her?” 지금 미팅중이신데 전화 왔었다고 전해드릴까요? Jigeum mitingjungisinde  jeonhwa wasseotdago jeonhaedeurilkkayo? “He/she is in a meeting right now, would you like me to let him/her know that you called?”

Example: 

지금 미팅중이신데 메모라도 남겨드릴까요?
Jigeum mitingjungisinde memorado namgyeodeurilkkayo?
“He/she is in a meeting right now, would you like me to write a message for him/her?”

괜찮습니다. 다시 전화하겠습니다.
Gwaenchansseumnida. Dasi jeonhwahagetseumnida.
“It’s okay. I will give him/her a call again later.”

Want to learn some more business phrases to communicate effectively on the phone in Korean? Check out our lesson “Asking for Someone on the Phone” on KoreanClass101.com! 

Writing an Email

Let’s briefly cover how to write Korean business emails.

Remember, your email should start with the following sentence, or something similar:

안녕하세요, [name of the company] [name] 입니다. Annyeonghaseyo, [company]ui [name] imnida. “Hello, this is [name of the company] [name].”

Example: 

안녕하세요, 코리안클래스101 김지연입니다. 
Annyeonghaseyo, koriankeullaeseu101ui gimjiyeonimnida.
“Hello, this is Kim Jiyeon from KoreanClass101.”

Once you have finished the body of the email, end it with:

감사합니다. Gamsahamnida. “Thank you.” [name] 드림 [name] deurim “From [name]”

6. Phrases for Your Business Trip

When you’re traveling abroad for a Korean company, there’s normally someone who books hotels and flight tickets, and builds an itinerary for you and your team.

In this section, let’s focus on phrases for getting yourself checked into and out of your hotel. 

Checking in at a Hotel

안녕하세요, [name]으로 예약 해놨는데요. Annyeonghaseyo, [name]euro yeyak haenwanneundeyo. “Hello, I made a reservation under the name of [name].” 안녕하세요, 체크인을 하고 싶습니다.  Annyeonghaseyo, chekeuineul hago sipseumnida. “Hello, I would like to check in, please.”

Checking out of a Hotel

체크아웃을 하고 싶습니다. Chekeuauseul hago sipseumnida. “I would like to check out, please.”

Check out our lessons “Korean Travel Phrases” and “Going Out to Meet with a Client in South Korea” to learn more essential travel and business phrases before you head out.

7. Business Phrases to Greet Your Colleagues & Boss at Work

Now, let’s go into detail about how to greet in Korean business settings.

Generally, you can speak casually with your colleagues. However, you need to be able to adjust your level of politeness depending on the situation. For example, you can call your colleague by their name followed by unni outside the company building, or when you and your colleague are the only people in the meeting room. Just remember not to use that title during a meeting, as it will make you sound unprofessional. During a meeting, you must address your colleague with the proper title (e.g. daeri, gwajang, etc.).

How to Say Hello at Work

안녕하세요.  Annyeonghaseyo. “Hello.” This phrase is the most commonly used greeting. 안녕하십니까.  Annyeonghasimnikka. “Hello.”  This business phrase is also used, but only by new employees. You can also use this when you need to introduce yourself to your team for the first time.

Example:

[As you enter the office]

안녕하십니까. 
Annyeonghasimnikka.
“Hello.”

How to Say Goodbye at Work

There are many phrases for saying goodbye to your colleagues. It’s considered rude to leave the office without greeting your colleagues, so remember to say goodbye properly.

내일 뵙겠습니다.  Naeil boebgessseumnida. “See you tomorrow.”  먼저 가보겠습니다. Meonjeo gabogessseumnida. “I’m going to leave first.”

먼저 가보겠습니다. (Meonjeo gabogessseumnida.) is the most commonly used phrase. It sounds natural, and people usually reply with 내일 뵈어요 (naeil boeeoyo.) or 안녕히 가세요 (annyeonghi gaseyo).

That said, don’t be disappointed if no one responds to you; usually, people are too focused on their work and just don’t hear you.

Example:

먼저 가보겠습니다.
Meonjeo gabogessseumnida.
“I’m going to leave first.”

내일 뵈어요 
Naeil boeeoyo.
“See you tomorrow.”

How to Greet During Lunchtime

In Korea, lunchtime is usually around noon or one o’clock, and may last one or two hours depending on the company you work for. Here, you’ll learn a few phrases that you can say to your colleagues or boss at lunchtime, or when otherwise leaving the office.

[If you’re leaving the office to meet a client] 다녀오겠습니다. Danyeogesseumnida. “See you later (I’ll go and come back).” [If you’re leaving the office to have lunch] 점심 먹으러 다녀오겠습니다. Jeomsim meogeureo danyeoogesseumnida. “I’m going for lunch.” [If you’re replying to someone] 점심 맛있게 드세요. Jeomsim masitge deuseyo. “Have a great lunch.”

Learn business Korean and boost your confidence today

8. It’s Important to Understand Business Etiquette in Korea

Korea’s working style and etiquette are very different from those in Western countries. Therefore, it’s important to understand Korean etiquette at work.

Although more and more companies have deployed many methods to improve the work atmosphere—such as removing job titles for a flat organizational structure—you still need to be able to read the air and adjust your behavior accordingly. Don’t worry, because these etiquette rules can be learned very quickly. Check out the pages below to learn more about business etiquette and Korean culture at work. 

• Korean Business Course – Customs, Culture, and Language
• Etiquette in South Korea
• Conducting business in Korea – Korean business culture and etiquette

By understanding these cultural differences, you’ll be able to work with Korean colleagues more effectively. Make sure to read our article on “How to Find Jobs in Korea” if you’re planning to work in South Korea one day. It explains in detail about what kind of jobs are available for foreigners and how to land your job in South Korea! 

Lastly, KoreanClass101 discusses many business-related topics where we teach you business Korean phrases, talk about work etiquette, and help you explore Korean culture. We also provide free vocabulary lists, so feel free to check out our website in your spare time.

In summary, we’ve looked at key business phrases in Korean that you can start using right away. Have a question? Feel free to leave us a comment! 

Good luck with your studies and have a great day! 

Many people these days don’t have enough time to study because of their busy lifestyles. If you work full-time, you know exactly what we’re talking about. It’s difficult to learn a language when you have to work eight hours a day, run personal errands after work, and have loved ones to take care of and spend time with at home. 

But this is where technology can play a beneficial role.

Did you know you can study Korean on your smartphone? You can! This allows you to take lessons with you wherever you go and study anytime. You can read articles, watch videos, and even play educational games on the go.

KoreanClass101 is the perfect way to improve your Korean online. Our website and app can help you make the most of your study time, with numerous audio and video lessons, vocabulary lists, and more. We’re the fastest, easiest, and most fun way to learn Korean. In particular, we think you’ll enjoy the KoreanClass101 YouTube channel, which features tons of free videos containing practical information for learners at every level. 

That said, there are many other Korean YouTubers and channels that we think you’ll enjoy. In this article, we’ll introduce you to some of the most popular Korean YouTube channels in 2020. Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

1. 슈스스TV (SyuseuseuTV)
2. 동네 놈들 (Dongne nomdeul)
3. 예림TV (YearimTV)
4. 아내의 식탁 (Anaeui siktak)
5. 세바시 강연 (Sebasi gangyeon)
6. 혀니 (Hyunie)
7. Solfa
8. KBS HUMAN: 뭉클티비 (KBS HUMAN: mungkeultibi)
9. 강형욱의 보듬TV (Ganghyeongugui bodeumTV)
10. [ODG]
11. [KoreanClass101]
12. Final Thoughts

1. 슈스스TV (SyuseuseuTV)

• Category: Fashion
• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5W3wHMAkp6b_8HrhReP5aQ/featured
• Level: Intermediate to Advanced

한혜연 (Han Hyeyeon) is one of the most influential stylists in Korea. She created her own YouTube channel in 2018 to connect with her fans and give them fashion tips. On her channel, she visits various clothing stores, picks out a few different clothing items, and explains how you can mix-and-match your clothes. It’s fun to watch her when she gets excited and screams about finding something she really likes.

There are also subtitles, so Korean learners can easily read along. She uses many adjectives to describe clothing and her feelings, and often goes into great detail. This is a great channel for picking up some descriptive vocabulary! 

2. 동네 놈들 (Dongne nomdeul)

• Category: Comedy (hidden camera)
• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIuFnJrRwHEUcIVtozJnUGA
• Level: Upper-Intermediate to Advanced 

Do you like comedy? Then you’ll love this Korean YouTube channel, hosted by three Korean comedians: 안진호 (An Jinho), 정재형 (Jeong Jaehyeong), and 최부기 (Choe Bugi). 

They tend to use simple Korean words and phrases, since they’re more focused on using body language to convey meaning. While their use of body language will make it easier for you to understand what’s going on, it may be difficult for you to grasp the context. Some of the body language and jokes are specific to Korean culture, and they use a lot of slang that beginners may find difficult to understand. 

Nevertheless, most of their content is easy to understand, as long as you have a good foundation of Korean vocabulary and cultural knowledge. 

If you need a good laugh, what are you waiting for? 

3. 예림TV (YearimTV)

• Category: Education
• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPv_FeQDOXx1gpNM9ZGUqsg
• Level: Beginner

This Korean YouTube channel is geared toward children, featuring stories, songs, and traditional fairytales. This is one of the best Korean learning YouTube channels for absolute beginners, because each video has subtitles and the characters speak slowly. This makes it easier for Korean learners to practice their pronunciation and listening comprehension.  

4. 아내의 식탁 (Anaeui siktak)

• Category: Cooking 
• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCStb6xqP228XXUykrrY-_CQ
• Level: Beginner to Advanced 

Do you like trying out new recipes? Do you want to learn how to cook Korean dishes? 

Then you’re going to love this Korean YouTube cooking channel! 

아내의 식탁 (anaeui siktak), or “Wife’s Table,” introduces various recipes, both Korean and Western. The videos are aesthetically beautiful and feature calming background music. In addition, this channel provides subtitles in both Korean and English, making it perfect for Korean learners. 

Didn’t catch everything in the video? Don’t worry! You’ll find the recipe written in the description of each video.

5. 세바시 강연 (Sebasi gangyeon)

• Category: Vlog 
• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgheNMc3gGHLsT-RISdCzDQ
• Level: Upper-Intermediate to Advanced 

If you’re a fan of TedTalks, then something tells us you’ll love this Korean YouTube channel. 

세바시 강연 (sebasi gangyeon) is the Korean version of TedTalks, where various professionals give a speech on a topic they specialize in. Each speaker has a different presentation style, so you’ll be able to observe many of the different tones, speech levels, and commonly used body gestures in Korea. 

Unfortunately, this channel doesn’t provide subtitles in other languages (English included), so you’ll need a good knowledge of Korean to understand the content. 

6. 혀니 (Hyunie)

• Category: Fashion
• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQjwzV65dUP7Ac7nuGbtpuQ
• Level: Beginner to Advanced 

Here’s another one of the most popular Korean fashion YouTube channels. 

YouTuber Hyunie Shim created her channel in 2012, and she uploads videos that introduce different fashion trends and tips on how to dress up with clothing from reasonably priced brands (such as Zara or H&M). When speaking, she uses a mix of formal and conversational Korean, which definitely reflects how native Korean-speakers communicate in everyday life.

7. Solfa

• Category: Psychology / Entertainment
• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6XZ4fmiUPQk6ws6fGs2rQg
• Level: Beginner to Advanced 

Solfa is known for its array of interesting videos, many of which focus on psychology and cultural trends. 

When the channel was first created, it posted mainly reaction videos (for example, university students trying out a weird item or eating American snacks). However, its recent content is more focused on two people, a man and a woman, conversing about various topics (such as rating fashion styles or debating whether it’s a good idea to go Dutch on a first date). 

This Korean YouTube channel is the best for listening to real Korean. 

8. KBS HUMAN: 뭉클티비 (KBS HUMAN: mungkeultibi)

• Category: Documentary
• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6wiUwl7dPhZOAM92lGgKPg
• Level: Intermediate to Advanced 

The KBS Human channel provides many documentaries from the past, and watching this channel is a great way to see the various lifestyles of Koreans all over the country. If you’re new to Korea, this channel might interest you, since you’ll be able to learn more about both the language and culture of Korea. 

9. 강형욱의 보듬TV (Ganghyeongugui bodeumTV)

• Category: Education 
• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCee1MvXr6E8qC_d2WEYTU5g
• Level: Beginner to Advanced 

If you’re an animal-lover or want to learn how to train a dog, we have the perfect channel for you. 

This Korean YouTube channel features a number of dog training video clips by 강형욱 (Gang Hyeonguk), the most famous and respected dog trainer in Korea. He visits many households to help solve their dog’s problematic behavior, such as biting or barking. By interacting with the dog, he’s able to explain the cause of the dog’s behavior and how to fix it. 

He speaks very slowly, so you can easily understand him (and, of course, his dog training). His videos also have English subtitles so you can read along. 

10. [ODG]

• Category: Psychology
• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpjm6R2yqu1GZjYtsIiXR5w
• Level: All 

Children are very honest when it comes to giving their opinions, and adults can learn a lot from them in this regard. This is the focus of ODG.

This Korean YouTube channel provides various content that involves asking questions to children about deep topics. Example topics include “What is Evil?” or children’s perspective on “Death.”

There are also videos that cover interactions between Korean and American kids. Each child introduces the other to snacks from their country and tries to teach them their language. These interactions are very interesting, and they allow you to vividly see the cultural differences between Korea and America. 

11. [KoreanClass101]

• Category: Education 
• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/koreanclass101
• Level: All 

The KoreanClass101 YouTube channel was created in 2007 and continues to provide insightful videos for Korean learners to help them improve their Korean skills. Here, you can learn to speak, read, write, and understand spoken Korean. You can also learn practical Korean phrases to boost your conversational confidence! 

12. Final Thoughts

Indeed, studying the Korean language on YouTube can be a great way to boost your Korean studies. It’s easy to access and absolutely free! However, one thing is lacking: proper guidance. Learning a new language takes time, and you want to make sure you’re going about it the right way. 

What makes KoreanClass101 better than any other Korean YouTube channel is its focus on Korean learners. This means that you’ll be able to find a video on any topic you’re struggling with: pronunciation, vocabulary, and the list goes on. 

And what’s more? KoreanClass101.com is the best website for you to learn the Korean language. We provide you with the guidance you need, and allow you to learn the language anytime, anywhere, and at your own pace! So why not sign up for KoreanClass101 today? 

Before you go, let us know which of these Korean YouTube channels you’re most interested in watching. Are there any good ones we missed? We look forward to hearing from you in the comments!

There are many different ways to say goodbye in Korean, and each expression is used in a specific context. Studying Korean goodbye phrases and when to use them is crucial in developing your speaking skills, as some phrases may be considered offensive when used in the wrong context. For example, the way you say goodbye to an elder will be different from how you say goodbye to someone your own age.

In this article, you’ll learn how to say goodbye in Korean in any circumstance. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll be one step closer to conversing like a native Korean-speaker! 

Are you ready? Let’s go!

Table of Contents

1. The Most Common Ways to Say Goodbye
2. “I gotta go. Goodbye!” & “See you again!”
3. “Goodbye, see you again.”
4. Saying “Thank you, goodbye,” to Strangers
5. Let’s Test Your “Goodbye” Skills
6. How KoreanClass101 Can Help You with Korean

1. The Most Common Ways to Say Goodbye

As you probably know already, Korean has different politeness levels of speech. So, depending on whom you’re speaking to, you need to adjust your behavior as well as the way you talk. 

Let’s say that you just bought something from a supermarket. As you leave, the cashier tells you goodbye by saying: 안녕히 가세요. (Annyeonghi gaseyo.) To reply, you would need to say: 안녕히 계세요. (Annyeonghi gyeseyo.) 

Did you notice the difference? The phrase is exactly the same except for the 가 (ga) and 계 (gye). 

Here’s the rule for this: 

When you say goodbye to someone who is leaving, or going far from where you are, you say: 안녕히 가세요. (Annyeonghi gaseyo.) You can remember this by keeping in mind that 가다 (gada) means “to go,” just as the other person is about “to go.” — To say goodbye in Korean when you are leaving instead, you say: 안녕히 계세요. (Annyeonghi gyeseyo.)

There are many other ways to say goodbye to someone. Let’s say that you’re at the office and want to say goodbye to your manager. The business level forms of “goodbye” are: 

• 안녕히 가십시오.
  (Annyeonghi gasipsio.)
  “Goodbye.”

• 안녕히 계십시오.
  (Annyeonghi gyesipsio.)
  “Goodbye.”

Now, how would you say goodbye to your friends? Here are some informal goodbye phrases:

• 잘가!
  (Jalga!)
  “Bye!” [Have a safe trip back home.]

• 안녕.
  (Annyeong.)
  “Bye.”

Be careful when using these informal phrases, and remember that they can only be used among friends. If you say this to an elder or someone of a higher status, you’ll sound extremely offensive. 

Example: 

• A: 가르시아 씨, 만나서 반가웠어요.
  (Gareusia ssi, mannaseo bangawosseoyo.)
  “It was nice meeting you, Mr. Garcia.”

• B: 저도요.
  (Jeodoyo.)
  “You too.”

• A: 그럼. 안녕히 가세요.
  (Geureom. Annyeonghi gaseyo.)
  “Goodbye.”

• B: 네. 안녕히 계세요.
  (Ne. Annyeonghi gyeseyo.)
  “Goodbye.”

I gotta go. See you tonight!

2. “I gotta go. Goodbye!” & “See you again!”

Let’s say that you’re at a friend’s birthday party and you realize that the last train arrives in fifteen minutes. How would you say “I gotta go” in Korean? How would you hint that you need to leave soon? 

Say one of these phrases:

Formal: 이만 들어가볼게요. (Iman deureogabolgeyo.) – “I am afraid that I need to leave now.” Formal-casual: 저 갈게요. (Jeo galgeyo.) – “I’m going.” Formal-casual: 저 가야겠어요. (Jeo gayagesseoyo.) – “I have to run.” Informal: 가야겠다. (Gayagetda.) – “I gotta go.”

More examples:

Formal

• 죄송하지만 이만 들어가볼게요.
  (Joesonghajiman iman deureogabolgeyo.)
  “I’m sorry, but I need to go.”

Casual

• 앗, 벌써 시간이 이렇게 됐네. 가야겠다.
  (At, beolsseo sigani ireoke dwaenne. Gayagetda.)
  “Oh. Time flies. I gotta go.”

School is over! See you tomorrow!

3. “Goodbye, see you again.”

Here, you’ll learn different ways to say: “Goodbye, see you again.”

Let’s say that you and your friend are walking together and are about to go your separate ways. In this case, you can say: 또 봐! (Ttobwa!), meaning “See you!” because you’re with your friend. Another appropriate phrase would be: 안녕 (annyeong). 

Now let’s say that you’re with a business partner and are about to say goodbye. The most appropriate phrase here would be: 다음에 또 뵙겠습니다. (Daeume tto boepgetseumnida.) 

With the basics covered, let’s see a few more ways to give a proper farewell in Korean at different formality levels: 

• 다음에 또 봐요. [formal]
  (Daeume tto bwayo.)
  “Catch you later.”

• 나중에 봐요! [formal-casual]
  (Najunge bwayo!)
  “Later!”

• 잘가요! [formal-casual]
  (Jalgayo!)
  “Bye bye!”

• 우리 다음에 또 봐요!
  (Uri daeume tto bwayo!)
  “See you again!”

• 다음에 또 봐.
  (Daeume tto bwa.)
  “See you again.”

• 또 봐! [casual]
  (Ttoba!)
  “See you!”

More examples: 

• A: 오늘 정말 즐거웠어요. 고마워요.
  A: Oneul jeongmal jeulgeowosseoyo. Gomawoyo.
  A: “I had so much fun today. Thank you.”

• B: 별 말씀을요. 다음에 또 봬요.
  B: Byeol malsseumeuryo. Daeume tto bwaeyo.
  B: “Don’t mention it. I will see you next time. ”

• A: 네. 다음에 또 봬요.
  A: Ne. Daeume tto bwaeyo.
  A: “I will see you next time.”

Learn about parting phrases in Korea in this dedicated lesson:

• Farewells – Make Sure You Don’t Use the Wrong Word!

Goodbye!

4. Saying “Thank you, goodbye,” to Strangers

Let’s say that you asked where the bathroom was at the department store. A receptionist kindly explained to you where the bathroom was, and you wanted to politely say: “Thank you, goodbye.” In this case, you could say: 감사합니다. 안녕히 계세요. (gamsahabnida. annyeonghi gyeseyo.) This phrase translates as: “I appreciate it. Goodbye.”

While that phrase is grammatically correct, people rarely say it in a situation like the one above. 

Instead, they’re more likely to use one of these phrases: 

• 네, 알겠습니다. (감사합니다.)
  [Ne, algetsseumnida. (Gamsahamnida.)]
  “Okay, I understand. (Thank you.)”

• 아 네, 감사합니다.
  (A ne, gamsahamnida.)
  “Ah okay, thank you.”

• 좋은 하루 되세요. [common phrase in the service industry]
  (Joeun haru doeseyo.)
  “Have a good day.”

Example:

• A: 무엇을 도와드릴까요?
  A: Mueoseul dowadeurilkkayo?
  A: “How may I help you?”

• B: 저..분실물 센터는 어디에 있나요?
  B: Jeo..bunsilmul senteoneun eodie innayo?
  B: “Um…where is the lost and found center?”
  
  (After you receive the information)

• B: 네, 알겠습니다. 감사합니다.
  B: Ne, algetsseumnida. Gamsahamnida.
  B: “Okay, I understand. Thank you.”

How do you say “Have a great day” in Korean?

5. Let’s Test Your “Goodbye” Skills

Now that you’ve read all about saying goodbye in Korean, let’s do some exercises! 

Q1. You’re on a date with someone and are about to say goodbye. What’s the most appropriate way to say goodbye to your date? 

1. 네, 알겠습니다. 감사합니다.
   (Ne, algetsseumnida. Gamsahamnida.)
   “Okay, I understand. Thank you.”

2. 다음에 또 봬요.
   (Daeume tto bwaeyo.)
   “I will see you next time.”

3. 안녕히 가십시오.
   (Annyeonghi gasipsio.)
   “Goodbye.”

Q2. You’ve finished your grocery shopping at a supermarket near your house. The cashier in front of you says 안녕히 가세요. (annyeonghi kashipshio.), meaning “Goodbye.” How would you respond? 

1. 무엇을 도와드릴까요?
   (Mueoseul dowadeurilkkayo?)
   “How may I help you?”

2. 안녕히 가십시오.
   (Annyeonghi gasipsio.)
   “Goodbye.”

3. 안녕히 계십시오.
   (Annyeonghi gyesipsio.)
   “Goodbye.”

Q3. You’re at a friend’s birthday party. You realize that the last bus departs soon and you need to leave the party early or you’ll miss it. How would you let your friend know that you have to go now? 

1. 미안, 막차버스가 12시라서… 나 가볼께.
   (Mian, makchabeoseuga yeoldusiraseo..na gabolkke.)

2. 미안, 막차버스가 12시라서… 안녕히 계세요.
   (Mian, makchabeoseuga yeoldusiraseo… annyeonghi gyeseyo.)

3. 안녕, 막차버스가 12시라서… 좋은 하루되세요.
   (Annyeong, makchabeoseuga yeoldusiraseo…joeun harudoeseyo.)

Q4. Your homestay mother is about to leave the house. How would you say “goodbye” to her politely? 

1. 안녕히 가세요.
   (Annyeonghi gaseyo.)

2. 안녕.
   (Annyeong.)

3. 다음에 또 봬요.
   (Daeume tto bwaeyo.)

Here are the answers:

Q1: 2
Q2: 3
Q3: 3
Q4: 1

If you’re still unsure about how to say goodbye in Korean, check out these two pages on KoreanClass101.com: 

• Learn how to use some common Korean greetings.
• Learn about saying goodbye (for beginners).

Hello and goodbye!

6. How KoreanClass101 Can Help You with Korean 

In this article, you learned how to say goodbye in various situations. Here’s a list of pages that you can check out in your spare time to learn more about this topic with cultural insights.

• How to Say Hello and Goodbye at Your Workplace
• Learn some ways to say “goodbye” in Korean
• Etiquette in South Korea
• Korean words and phrases

Of course, you’ll need to say “Hello” before you say “Goodbye!” Here are some useful pages on the topic: 

• How to Say Hello in Korean
• 한국에서 자주 쓰이는 인사말 (hangugeseo jaju sseuineun insamal) – “Common Ways to Say Hello”
• 일반적인 작별 인사법 (ilbanjeog-n jagbyeol insabeob) – “Most Common Ways to Say Goodbye”

KoreanClass101.com is the best place to learn Korean in a fast, easy, and effective way. Create your free lifetime account today for access to numerous free features, such as themed vocabulary lists and new lessons every week. We provide you with practical information related to vocabulary, grammar, and Korean culture, so you’ll never be at a loss in your Korean learning! 

When was the last time you said goodbye to someone in Korean? Before you go, leave us a comment and let us know—we would love to hear your stories. 

Good luck with your Korean studies!