Learning Korean isn’t just about memorizing vocabulary or grammar rules — it’s about building real relationships. If you want to make Korean friends, greetings and small talk are your entry point into natural conversations. They’re simple to learn, culturally rich, and help break the ice in any setting.
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This guide introduces the most useful Korean expressions for meeting people and keeping a friendly conversation going. From formal greetings to casual questions, you’ll learn how to sound confident, respectful, and approachable — just like a native speaker.
👋 Common Korean Greetings
In Korean, greetings are essential in both casual and formal situations. One of the most common greetings is 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo), which means "Hello" in a polite form. You can use it in almost any setting — at school, work, stores, or when meeting someone for the first time.
For friends or people younger than you, use the casual version 안녕 (annyeong). It’s friendly and relaxed, similar to saying “Hi” or “Hey” in English. When meeting someone for the first time in a formal setting, say 처음 뵙겠습니다 (cheoeum boepgetseumnida) to mean "Nice to meet you." This shows respect and is commonly used in business or older-age introductions.
Another useful phrase is 반갑습니다 (bangapseumnida), which also means "Nice to meet you" and is often paired with a handshake or bow. When ending a conversation, say 안녕히 가세요 (annyeonghi gaseyo) if the other person is leaving, or 안녕히 계세요 (annyeonghi gyeseyo) if you’re the one leaving.
It’s also common in Korea to bow slightly when saying hello or goodbye, especially in formal or respectful situations. The depth of your bow depends on the level of formality — a small nod for casual, deeper bow for elders or business.
📌 Korean Greeting Phrases Table
| Korean Phrase | Romanization | Meaning | Formality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 안녕하세요 | annyeonghaseyo | Hello | Polite |
| 안녕 | annyeong | Hi / Bye | Casual |
| 처음 뵙겠습니다 | cheoeum boepgetseumnida | Nice to meet you | Formal |
Practice these greetings with friends, in Korean study groups, or when meeting Korean speakers online. Just a few respectful words can open the door to great conversations and lasting friendships.
🗣 Easy Korean Small Talk
Small talk is a big part of everyday life in Korea, especially when building new relationships. Asking simple, polite questions shows interest and creates comfort. One classic example is 밥 먹었어요? (bap meogeosseoyo?) which means "Did you eat?" While it sounds like a question about food, it's often used like “How are you?” in a friendly, caring way.
Another easy small talk starter is 날씨 좋네요 (nalssi johneyo) — "The weather is nice." Weather is a safe and universal topic. You can also say 요즘 뭐 해요? (yojeum mwo haeyo?) meaning "What are you up to these days?" to keep conversations going smoothly.
If you're in a social setting like a café or language exchange, asking 여기 자주 와요? (yeogi jaju wayo?) — "Do you come here often?" is a great way to show interest. Another fun one is 이거 좋아해요? (igeo joahaeyo?) — "Do you like this?" when talking about K-dramas, music, or food.
Koreans appreciate when foreigners try to speak even a little Korean. You don’t need to be perfect — just polite, positive, and genuine. Start with simple phrases, smile, and speak with confidence.
💬 Korean Small Talk Examples
| Phrase | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 밥 먹었어요? | bap meogeosseoyo? | Did you eat? / How are you? |
| 날씨 좋네요 | nalssi johneyo | Nice weather |
| 요즘 뭐 해요? | yojeum mwo haeyo? | What are you up to? |
🤝 Approaching People in Korean
Making new friends in Korea may feel challenging at first, especially if you’re shy or unsure about local customs. But with the right phrases and attitude, starting a conversation becomes much easier. Koreans are often friendly and curious, especially if you're a foreigner trying to speak their language.
When meeting someone new, it's polite to start with 실례합니다 (sillyehamnida) — “Excuse me” — to get their attention in a respectful way. If you're introducing yourself, you can say 저는 [이름]이에요 (jeoneun [name] ieyo), which means “I’m [name].” Follow it with 만나서 반가워요 (mannaseo bangawoyo) — “Nice to meet you.”
You can also ask someone’s name with 이름이 뭐예요? (ireumi mwoyeyo?) — “What’s your name?”. After exchanging names, a great way to keep the interaction going is by asking about hobbies or interests. Try 취미가 뭐예요? (chwimiga mwoyeyo?) — “What are your hobbies?”
Body language is important too. Smile, make light eye contact (but not too much), and avoid speaking too loudly. Koreans value calm and respectful tones in conversations. If you show genuine curiosity and use a few Korean phrases, most people will respond warmly.
📋 Useful Phrases to Meet People
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 실례합니다 | sillyehamnida | Excuse me |
| 이름이 뭐예요? | ireumi mwoyeyo? | What’s your name? |
| 취미가 뭐예요? | chwimiga mwoyeyo? | What are your hobbies? |
The key is to be friendly, relaxed, and show that you’re trying. Even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect, Korean people are usually encouraging and happy to help you learn.
🌏 Cultural Notes for Better Conversations
Understanding Korean culture is just as important as learning vocabulary. Respect and social harmony play a big role in how people interact. Using the right speech level (formal vs. informal) shows whether you're being polite or overly casual — and it matters more than you might think.
For strangers, elders, or colleagues, always use 존댓말 (jondaetmal) — polite speech. Casual speech 반말 (banmal) is only for close friends, kids, or people younger than you. Misusing levels can make someone uncomfortable even if your grammar is perfect.
In Korean culture, asking someone’s age or job may happen early in a conversation. It’s not considered rude — it helps people determine how to speak to each other. You can ask politely with 몇 살이에요? (myeot sal-ieyo?) — “How old are you?” or 무슨 일 하세요? (museun il haseyo?) — “What do you do?”
Also, Koreans tend to avoid direct confrontation or blunt opinions. Keep your tone friendly and avoid negative comments. Compliments are always welcome — for example, 한국어 잘하시네요! (hangugeo jalhasineyo!) — “You speak Korean well!”
🎯 Cultural Points Summary
| Tip | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Use 존댓말 | Always use polite speech unless very close. |
| Ask age/job early | It's normal in Korea to help set social hierarchy. |
| Compliment efforts | Praise Korean skills or interest in culture. |
By learning not only the words but also the etiquette, you’ll stand out as someone who respects Korean culture — and that goes a long way in forming meaningful friendships.
🗨️ Real-Life Dialogue Examples
Learning phrases is great, but seeing them in real-life conversations helps everything make sense. In this section, you’ll see examples of how small talk and greetings are naturally used in Korean. These short dialogues reflect casual and polite styles.
Here’s a simple dialogue between two people meeting for the first time:
A: 안녕하세요! 처음 뵙겠습니다. (annyeonghaseyo! cheoeum boepgetseumnida.)
B: 네, 반갑습니다. (ne, bangapseumnida.)
A: 저는 마이클이에요. (jeoneun Michael-ieyo.)
B: 저는 수지예요. 만나서 반가워요. (jeoneun Suji-yeyo. mannaseo bangawoyo.)
Now a casual version between friends:
A: 안녕! 오랜만이야. (annyeong! oraenmaniya.)
B: 그러게! 잘 지냈어? (geureoge! jal jinaesseo?)
A: 응, 요즘 뭐 해? (eung, yojeum mwo hae?)
B: 그냥 일하고 있어~ (geunyang ilhago isseo~)
📘 Dialogue Type Comparison
| Context | Speech Level | Example Phrase |
|---|---|---|
| Formal Introduction | Polite | 처음 뵙겠습니다 |
| Friendship Reconnect | Casual | 오랜만이야 |
Try reading the dialogues aloud and practicing with a language partner. Role-play is one of the best ways to build fluency and confidence.
🎯 Practice Activities You Can Try
Now that you’ve learned useful greetings and small talk expressions, it’s time to practice! Don’t wait until you’re “ready” — real progress happens when you try. Here are simple activities you can start today to apply what you’ve learned.
1. Mirror Practice: Say greetings and short phrases to yourself in the mirror.
2. Language Exchange: Join online meetups with Korean speakers via apps like HelloTalk or Tandem.
3. Flash Cards: Make cards with Korean phrases on one side and English/Romanization on the other.
4. Drama Repetition: Pick lines from K-dramas and repeat them with correct tone.
5. Record Yourself: Practice your pronunciation by recording and comparing to native speakers.
📌 Practice Goals Table
| Activity | Focus | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Mirror Talk | Fluency | Confidence boost |
| Drama Repetition | Pronunciation | Natural tone |
The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll feel speaking Korean. Consistency beats perfection — just keep showing up and trying your best.
🙋 FAQ
Q1. What does "밥 먹었어요?" really mean?
A1. It’s a friendly way to ask “How are you?”, not literally about eating.
Q2. Can I say “안녕” to everyone?
A2. No. Use it only with friends or younger people. Otherwise say “안녕하세요”.
Q3. How do I avoid sounding rude in Korean?
A3. Use polite speech (존댓말) and keep a calm tone. A slight bow also helps.
Q4. Is it okay to ask someone’s age?
A4. Yes. It’s culturally normal and helps determine speech levels.
Q5. What if I don’t know any Koreans to practice with?
A5. Use language apps like HelloTalk, Tandem, or join Korean communities online.
Q6. How do I know when to use 존댓말 or 반말?
A6. Always start with 존댓말 until the other person asks you to speak casually.
Q7. Can I rely on Romanization only?
A7. Romanization helps at first, but learning Hangul is essential for accuracy.
Q8. What’s the safest greeting to use everywhere?
A8. “안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo)” fits almost every situation.
Q9. Do Koreans really bow when greeting?
A9. Yes, especially in formal settings or when showing respect.
Q10. What is a polite way to say goodbye?
A10. Use “안녕히 가세요” if they’re leaving, “안녕히 계세요” if you’re leaving.
Q11. Do people shake hands in Korea?
A11. Yes, but usually combined with a small bow. Let the other person lead.
Q12. Is “반가워요” polite enough?
A12. Yes, but “반갑습니다” is more formal and safe for first meetings.
Q13. Which apps help practice Korean?
A13. HelloTalk, Tandem, Speaky, and Meetup events help you practice naturally.
Q14. Is it rude if I make pronunciation mistakes?
A14. Not at all. Effort matters more than perfection in Korean culture.
Q15. How do I remember greeting phrases?
A15. Daily repetition, flashcards, or saying greetings in the mirror helps a lot.
Q16. Are morning and night greetings common?
A16. Not really. Koreans use “안녕하세요” all day long.
Q17. What’s the difference between 가세요 and 계세요?
A17. Use “가세요” if the other person leaves, “계세요” if you leave.
Q18. How do I show interest politely?
A18. Ask about hobbies, food, music, or dramas using “좋아해요?”
Q19. Can I switch to English if I get stuck?
A19. Yes, but mix simple Korean phrases to keep the conversation going.
Q20. What compliments are safe to use?
A20. “멋있어요”, “예뻐요”, “한국어 잘하시네요” are friendly and natural.
Q21. How can I practice greetings every day?
A21. Greet yourself, practice aloud, or start texts with Korean greetings.
Q22. What if Koreans reply in English?
A22. Ask kindly: “한국어로 말해도 돼요?” — “Can we speak in Korean?”
Q23. Is humor OK in Korean small talk?
A23. Yes, but avoid sarcasm. Light, positive jokes are best.
Q24. What topics should I avoid?
A24. Avoid politics, appearance criticism, or money-related questions early on.
Q25. Are hand gestures like waving OK?
A25. Yes, but avoid pointing with a single finger — use the whole hand instead.
Q26. How do I ask someone to repeat?
A26. Say “다시 말해 주세요” — it’s polite and commonly used.
Q27. What’s an easy icebreaker question?
A27. “한국 음식 좋아해요?” works well in almost any situation.
Q28. How long should small talk last?
A28. 1–3 minutes is normal. If it flows naturally, continue the conversation.
Q29. Can I mix English and Korean?
A29. Yes! Many Koreans mix languages casually, especially younger speakers.
Q30. What should I do if I make a mistake?
A30. Smile, correct yourself if you can, and continue. Mistakes show you’re learning.
Disclaimer: Korean expressions may vary depending on region, age, and context. This guide provides general standards and common usage for learning purposes. Always adapt based on the setting and person you're speaking with.
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