25 Everyday Korean Phrases You'll Use Every Single Day

You do not need perfect grammar to start speaking Korean. A small set of polite phrases will carry you through greetings, shopping, meals, and first conversations. Here are the expressions Koreans use constantly, all in polite 해요체 or common set forms, with notes on when to use them.

Greetings

• 안녕하세요.

  [annyeonghaseyo]

  Hello. (any time of day)

• 안녕히 가세요.

  [annyeonghi gaseyo]

  Goodbye. (to someone leaving)

• 안녕히 계세요.

  [annyeonghi gyeseyo]

  Goodbye. (when you are leaving and they stay)

• 오랜만이에요.

  [oraenmanieyo]

  Long time no see.

• 처음 뵙겠습니다.

  [cheoeum boepgetseumnida]

  Nice to meet you. (formal first meeting)

The two goodbyes confuse many learners. 가세요 means "go in peace," so you say it to the person who is leaving. 계세요 means "stay in peace," so you say it when you leave.

Thanks and apologies

• 감사합니다.

  [gamsahamnida]

  Thank you.

• 고마워요.

  [gomawoyo]

  Thank you. (warm, polite)

• 죄송합니다.

  [joesonghamnida]

  I'm sorry. (formal)

• 미안해요.

  [mianhaeyo]

  I'm sorry. (polite)

• 괜찮아요.

  [gwaenchanayo]

  It's okay. / No problem. / I'm fine.

괜찮아요 is a true multi-tool. It can accept an apology, decline an offer politely ("I'm fine, thanks"), or ask if someone is okay when said as a question.

Small talk

• 잘 지냈어요?

  [jal jinaesseoyo]

  How have you been?

• 네, 잘 지냈어요.

  [ne jal jinaesseoyo]

  Yes, I've been well.

• 요즘 어때요?

  [yojeum eottaeyo]

  How are things these days?

• 주말 잘 보내세요.

  [jumal jal bonaeseyo]

  Have a good weekend.

• 수고하셨습니다.

  [sugohasyeotseumnida]

  Thank you for your hard work. (said at the end of work or a task)

수고하셨습니다 has no exact English equivalent. Coworkers say it to each other when leaving work, and customers may say it to staff. It acknowledges effort.

Understanding and not understanding

• 네, 알겠어요.

  [ne algesseoyo]

  Yes, I understand. / Got it.

• 잘 모르겠어요.

  [jal moreugesseoyo]

  I'm not sure. / I don't really know.

• 다시 한번 말해 주세요.

  [dasi hanbeon malhae juseyo]

  Could you say that again, please?

• 천천히 말해 주세요.

  [cheoncheonhi malhae juseyo]

  Please speak slowly.

• 이게 한국어로 뭐예요?

  [ige hangugeoro mwoeyo]

  What is this called in Korean?

These phrases are a learner's best friends. Native speakers are usually happy to slow down or repeat.

Meals

• 잘 먹겠습니다.

  [jal meokgetseumnida]

  Thank you for the food. (before eating)

• 잘 먹었습니다.

  [jal meogeotseumnida]

  Thank you for the meal. (after eating)

• 맛있어요!

  [masisseoyo]

  It's delicious!

• 배불러요.

  [baebulleoyo]

  I'm full.

잘 먹겠습니다 literally means "I will eat well." Saying it before a meal, especially when someone else is paying or cooking, is a lovely sign of gratitude.

Reactions

• 진짜요?

  [jinjjayo]

  Really?

• 대박!

  [daebak]

  Awesome! / No way! (casual, enthusiastic)

• 그렇군요.

  [geureokunyo]

  I see.

Tips for using these phrases

• Bow slightly while saying hello or thank you, especially to elders.
• Use 네 (yes) often while listening; it signals attention, not always agreement.
• Smile. Politeness in Korean comes through tone as much as words.

Answering the phone

Koreans answer the phone with 여보세요, a polite "hello" used only on calls. When you end a call with someone you respect, 들어가세요 (literally "please go in") is a common, warm way to say goodbye.

These phrases form the backbone of daily Korean. Once they feel automatic, you can build on them with grammar, but you will already be able to connect with people from the first day.