🇰🇷 Lesson 1: Greetings and Basic Introductions

Introduction

Welcome to your first Korean lesson! 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) - Hello! In this lesson, you'll learn the most essential Korean words and phrases you need to greet people and introduce yourself. These are the building blocks of Korean communication, and you'll use them every single day.

🎯 By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to:

• Greet people in formal and informal situations
• Introduce yourself with your name
• Say thank you and express basic politeness
• Say goodbye appropriately

💡 Why start with greetings? In Korean culture, proper greetings and showing respect are fundamental. The language has built-in levels of formality, which means how you greet someone depends on your relationship with them. Don't worry - we'll start simple!

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Core Concepts: Understanding Korean Politeness Levels

🎭 The Formality System

Before we dive into specific words, you need to know something unique about Korean: the language changes based on who you're speaking to. This isn't about being fancy - it's built into the grammar itself!

┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│     KOREAN POLITENESS LEVELS        │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│  👔 FORMAL (존댓말 jondaenmal)      │
│  → Strangers, elders, teachers,     │
│     bosses, customers               │
│                                     │
│  👕 INFORMAL (반말 banmal)          │
│  → Close friends, younger siblings, │
│     children                        │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘

⚠️ Common Mistake: Beginners often use informal language with everyone because it's shorter and easier. This is like calling your teacher by their first name in English - awkward! When in doubt, always use formal language until the other person tells you otherwise.

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👋 Essential Greeting Vocabulary

Let's learn your first Korean words! Pay attention to the pronunciation guides.

1. 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) - Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon

🗣️ Pronunciation: ahn-nyoung-hah-seh-yo (5 syllables)

Breaking it down:

• 안녕 (annyeong) = peace, well-being
• 하세요 (haseyo) = polite verb ending "to do"
• Literally: "Are you at peace?" or "Are you well?"

This is your all-purpose formal greeting - use it morning, noon, or night! It's like English "hello" but works any time of day.

💡 Tip: When saying 안녕하세요, Koreans often bow slightly. A small nod is perfect for casual situations, a deeper bow for more formal ones.

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2. 안녕 (annyeong) - Hi / Bye (informal)

🗣️ Pronunciation: ahn-nyoung (2 syllables)

Notice this is the same word as before, just without the polite ending! This is the informal version for close friends and people younger than you.

🆚 안녕하세요 vs 안녕:

┌────────────────┬──────────────┬──────────────┐
│   Situation    │  Use This    │  NOT This    │
├────────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┤
│ Meeting boss   │ 안녕하세요   │ ❌ 안녕      │
│ Your teacher   │ 안녕하세요   │ ❌ 안녕      │
│ Store clerk    │ 안녕하세요   │ ❌ 안녕      │
│ Best friend    │ 안녕         │ (안녕하세요) │
│ Little sibling │ 안녕         │ (안녕하세요) │
└────────────────┴──────────────┴──────────────┘

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3. 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) - Thank you

🗣️ Pronunciation: gahm-sah-ham-nee-dah (5 syllables)

Etymology: 감사 (gamsa) comes from Chinese characters meaning "feeling" + "gratitude"

This is formal thank you - perfect for strangers, service workers, teachers, and formal situations.

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4. 고맙습니다 (gomapseumnida) - Thank you (alternative)

🗣️ Pronunciation: goh-mahp-seum-nee-dah (5 syllables)

This is another way to say thank you formally. It's pure Korean (not from Chinese), so it feels slightly warmer and more personal.

🆚 감사합니다 vs 고맙습니다: Both mean the same thing! 감사합니다 is slightly more formal and commonly used in business/official settings. 고맙습니다 feels a bit warmer. You can use either one!

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5. 고마워 (gomawo) - Thanks (informal)

🗣️ Pronunciation: goh-mah-woh (3 syllables)

This is the casual "thanks" for friends and close people.

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6. 네 (ne) - Yes

🗣️ Pronunciation: neh (1 syllable, sounds like "neh" not "nee")

Simple and universal! Works in all situations.

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7. 아니요 (aniyo) - No

🗣️ Pronunciation: ah-nee-yoh (3 syllables)

This is the polite "no."

💡 Cultural note: Koreans don't say "no" as directly as English speakers do. They might say "it's a bit difficult" or "I'll think about it" instead. But 아니요 is perfectly fine for simple yes/no questions!

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8. 저는 ___ 입니다 (jeoneun ___ imnida) - I am ___

🗣️ Pronunciation: juh-neun ___ eem-nee-dah

This is how you introduce yourself with your name!

Breaking it down:

• 저 (jeo) = I, me (humble form)
• 는 (neun) = topic particle (like saying "as for me")
• 입니다 (imnida) = "to be" verb (formal)

Example: 저는 Sarah 입니다 (jeoneun Sarah imnida) = "I am Sarah"

🧠 Memory trick: Think "Jeoneun = Je (I) + on (like "on the topic of")" → "On the topic of me..."

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9. 이름 (ireum) - Name

🗣️ Pronunciation: ee-reum (2 syllables)

Useful phrases:

• 이름이 뭐예요? (ireumi mwoyeyo?) = "What is your name?" (formal but friendly)
• 제 이름은... (je ireumeun...) = "My name is..."

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10. 저 (jeo) vs 나 (na) - I, me

🗣️ Pronunciation: juh vs nah

Korean has two words for "I"!

┌──────────────────────────────────┐
│  저 (jeo) = Formal/Humble "I"   │
│  Use with: strangers, elders,    │
│           teachers, bosses       │
│                                  │
│  나 (na) = Informal "I"          │
│  Use with: friends, family,      │
│           younger people         │
└──────────────────────────────────┘

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11. 안녕히 가세요 (annyeonghi gaseyo) - Goodbye (to person leaving)

🗣️ Pronunciation: ahn-nyoung-hee gah-seh-yo

Breaking it down:

• 안녕히 (annyeonghi) = peacefully
• 가세요 (gaseyo) = please go
• Literally: "Go peacefully"

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12. 안녕히 계세요 (annyeonghi gyeseyo) - Goodbye (to person staying)

🗣️ Pronunciation: ahn-nyoung-hee gyeh-seh-yo

Breaking it down:

• 안녕히 (annyeonghi) = peacefully
• 계세요 (gyeseyo) = please stay
• Literally: "Stay peacefully"

🤔 Did you know? Korean has different goodbyes depending on who's leaving! If you're leaving a shop, the clerk says 안녕히 가세요 (go peacefully) to you. You say 안녕히 계세요 (stay peacefully) back!

┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│     WHO SAYS WHAT GOODBYE?          │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│  You leaving a store:               │
│  YOU → 안녕히 계세요 (stay)         │
│  CLERK → 안녕히 가세요 (go)         │
│                                     │
│  Friend leaving your house:         │
│  FRIEND → 안녕히 계세요 (stay)      │
│  YOU → 안녕히 가세요 (go)           │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘

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13. 잘 가 (jal ga) - Bye (informal, to person leaving)

🗣️ Pronunciation: jahl gah

Short for 잘 가세요, this is the casual "bye" to friends who are leaving.

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14. 잘 있어 (jal isseo) - Bye (informal, to person staying)

🗣️ Pronunciation: jahl ee-ssuh

Casual "bye" when you're the one leaving.

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15. 만나서 반갑습니다 (mannaseo bangapseumnida) - Nice to meet you

🗣️ Pronunciation: mahn-nah-suh bahn-gahp-seum-nee-dah

Breaking it down:

• 만나서 (mannaseo) = meeting/having met
• 반갑습니다 (bangapseumnida) = I'm glad
• Literally: "Having met you, I'm glad"

This is what you say after introducing yourself!

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🎬 Examples: Real-Life Situations

Example 1: Meeting Someone for the First Time (Formal)

🎭 Scenario: You're at a Korean language exchange meetup. You see your language partner for the first time.

Dialogue:

You: 안녕하세요!
     (annyeonghaseyo!)
     Hello!

Partner: 안녕하세요!
         (annyeonghaseyo!)
         Hello!

You: 저는 Alex 입니다.
     (jeoneun Alex imnida)
     I am Alex.

Partner: 저는 지수 입니다. 만나서 반갑습니다.
         (jeoneun Jisu imnida. mannaseo bangapseumnida)
         I am Jisu. Nice to meet you.

You: 만나서 반갑습니다!
     (mannaseo bangapseumnida!)
     Nice to meet you!

Why these choices:

• Both use 안녕하세요 (formal hello) because you're meeting for the first time
• Both use 저 (jeo) for "I" instead of 나 (na) - showing respect
• The formal verb ending 입니다 (imnida) maintains politeness

💡 Tip: Notice Koreans often say their name is just "Jisu" not "I am Jisu" - but adding 저는 (jeoneun) makes it more complete and easier for learners!

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Example 2: At a Café (Service Interaction)

🎭 Scenario: You're ordering coffee at a Korean café. The barista hands you your drink.

Dialogue:

Barista: 여기 있습니다.
         (yeogi itseumnida)
         Here you are. [Not in today's vocabulary, but common!]

You: 감사합니다!
     (gamsahamnida!)
     Thank you!

Barista: 네, 안녕히 가세요.
         (ne, annyeonghi gaseyo)
         Yes, goodbye. (Go peacefully)

You: 안녕히 계세요!
     (annyeonghi gyeseyo!)
     Goodbye! (Stay peacefully)

Why these choices:

• You use 감사합니다 (formal thank you) - appropriate for service staff
• The barista says 안녕히 가세요 because YOU are leaving
• You respond with 안녕히 계세요 because THEY are staying

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Example 3: Meeting a Friend (Informal)

🎭 Scenario: You meet your close Korean friend at school.

Dialogue:

You: 안녕!
     (annyeong!)
     Hi!

Friend: 안녕! (annyeong!)
        Hi!

[Later, friend helps you with homework]

You: 고마워!
     (gomawo!)
     Thanks!

Friend: (smiles)

[End of the day, friend leaves]

Friend: 잘 있어!
        (jal isseo!)
        Bye! (you stay)

You: 잘 가!
     (jal ga!)
     Bye! (you go)

Why these choices:

• All informal language because you're close friends
• 안녕 instead of 안녕하세요
• 고마워 instead of 감사합니다
• 잘 가/잘 있어 instead of 안녕히 가세요/계세요

⚠️ Common Mistake: Students sometimes mix formal and informal in the same conversation. Pick one level and stick with it! Don't say "안녕하세요" then "고마워" to the same person right after.

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Example 4: Asking Someone's Name

🎭 Scenario: You want to know your new classmate's name.

Dialogue:

You: 안녕하세요! 저는 Maya 입니다.
     (annyeonghaseyo! jeoneun Maya imnida)
     Hello! I am Maya.

Classmate: 안녕하세요! 저는 준호 입니다.
           (annyeonghaseyo! jeoneun Junho imnida)
           Hello! I am Junho.

You: 만나서 반갑습니다!
     (mannaseo bangapseumnida!)
     Nice to meet you!

Junho: 만나서 반갑습니다!
       (mannaseo bangapseumnida!)
       Nice to meet you!

Pattern to memorize:

1. Greet (안녕하세요)
2. Introduce yourself (저는 ___ 입니다)
3. Nice to meet you (만나서 반갑습니다)

🧠 Memory device: Think "GRIN" - Greet, Reveal name, "I (나/저) am...", Nice to meet you

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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Using 안녕 with strangers

❌ Wrong: Using 안녕 with your teacher, boss, or stranger ✅ Correct: Use 안녕하세요 until you know someone well

Why it matters: This is like addressing your boss as "dude" - it's too casual and can seem rude.

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Mistake 2: Mixing up the goodbyes

❌ Wrong: Saying 안녕히 가세요 when YOU'RE the one leaving ✅ Correct: Say 안녕히 계세요 when you leave (telling them to stay well)

How to remember: 가 = "go," 계 = "stay." Say the opposite of what YOU are doing!

🚶 You leaving → 안녕히 계세요 (you STAY well)
🧍 You staying → 안녕히 가세요 (you GO well)

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Mistake 3: Forgetting particles

❌ Wrong: 저 Sarah 입니다 (missing 는) ✅ Correct: 저는 Sarah 입니다

The particle 는 (neun) is essential! It marks the topic of your sentence. Without it, the sentence sounds choppy.

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Mistake 4: Pronouncing 네 as "nee"

❌ Wrong: "Nee" (sounds like English "knee") ✅ Correct: "Neh" (sounds like "meh" but with "n")

Korean 네 is one syllable: neh. Not two syllables like "nee-eh."

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Mistake 5: Using 나 instead of 저 in formal situations

❌ Wrong: 나는 David 입니다 (to a teacher) ✅ Correct: 저는 David 입니다

나 (na) is for close friends only. Using it in formal situations sounds arrogant.

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📖 Mini-Story: A Day in Seoul

Let's see all our vocabulary in action! This story uses all 15 words/phrases from today's lesson.

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Meeting at the Language School

It's your first day at a Korean language school in Seoul. You walk into the classroom nervously.

Teacher: 안녕하세요! (annyeonghaseyo - Hello!)

You: 안녕하세요! (annyeonghaseyo - Hello!)

Teacher: 이름이 뭐예요? (What's your name? - ireumi mwoyeyo?)

You: 저는 Sam 입니다. (jeoneun Sam imnida - I am Sam)

Teacher: 만나서 반갑습니다! (mannaseo bangapseumnida - Nice to meet you!)

You: 만나서 반갑습니다! (mannaseo bangapseumnida - Nice to meet you!)

You sit down and class begins. The teacher asks you a question.

Teacher: Sam, 한국 사람이에요? (Are you Korean? - not in today's vocab)

You: 아니요. (aniyo - No)

After class, you go to a café. The barista gives you your coffee.

You: 감사합니다! (gamsahamnida - Thank you!)

Barista: 네, 안녕히 가세요. (ne, annyeonghi gaseyo - Yes, goodbye/go peacefully)

You: 안녕히 계세요! (annyeonghi gyeseyo - Goodbye/stay peacefully)

Later, you meet your roommate, a close friend.

Roommate: 안녕! (annyeong - Hi!)

You: 안녕! (annyeong - Hi!)

Your roommate helps you unpack.

You: 고마워! (gomawo - Thanks!)

That evening, your roommate goes out.

Roommate: 잘 있어! (jal isseo - Bye! [I'm leaving, you stay])

You: 잘 가! (jal ga - Bye! [You go, I'm staying])

You think about your day. You remember:

• 저 (jeo) = I/me (formal)
• 나 (na) = I/me (informal)
• 이름 (ireum) = name

You used the right level of politeness with everyone. 네 (ne - yes), you did well!

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🎯 Key Takeaways

Must-Know Words (15 total)

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│           FORMAL GREETINGS                  │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) - Hello         │
│ 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) - Thank you       │
│ 고맙습니다 (gomapseumnida) - Thank you      │
│ 안녕히 가세요 (annyeonghi gaseyo) - Bye    │
│ 안녕히 계세요 (annyeonghi gyeseyo) - Bye   │
│ 만나서 반갑습니다 (mannaseo bangapseumnida)│
│   - Nice to meet you                        │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────┘

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│          INFORMAL GREETINGS                 │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 안녕 (annyeong) - Hi/Bye                    │
│ 고마워 (gomawo) - Thanks                    │
│ 잘 가 (jal ga) - Bye (to person leaving)   │
│ 잘 있어 (jal isseo) - Bye (to person staying)│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────┘

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│          ESSENTIAL WORDS                    │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 네 (ne) - Yes                               │
│ 아니요 (aniyo) - No                         │
│ 저 (jeo) - I/me (formal)                    │
│ 나 (na) - I/me (informal)                   │
│ 이름 (ireum) - Name                         │
│ 저는 ___ 입니다 (jeoneun ___ imnida)       │
│   - I am ___                                │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Grammar Patterns

Self-introduction formula:

안녕하세요 + 저는 [NAME] 입니다 + 만나서 반갑습니다

Politeness Rules

1. When in doubt, go formal (use 세요/습니다 endings)
2. Match the level - don't mix formal and informal
3. Use 저 (jeo) with strangers, 나 (na) with friends
4. Goodbye depends on who's leaving, not your preference

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🔧 Try This: Practice Exercise

Situation 1: You enter a Korean restaurant. Practice saying hello to the staff. → Say: 안녕하세요!

Situation 2: Your Korean friend just gave you a ride home. Thank them casually. → Say: 고마워!

Situation 3: You're leaving a shop. The owner waves goodbye. What do you say? → Say: 안녕히 계세요! (You're leaving, they're staying)

Situation 4: Introduce yourself to a new teacher. → Say: 안녕하세요! 저는 [your name] 입니다. 만나서 반갑습니다!

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📚 Further Study

1. Talk To Me In Korean - Level 1 Lesson 1 - Free structured lessons with audio

2. How to Study Korean - Unit 0 - Comprehensive grammar explanations for beginners

3. Korean Pronunciation Guide - University of Cambridge - Practice getting the sounds right

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📋 Quick Reference Card

Copy this and keep it handy!

╔════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║     KOREAN GREETINGS CHEAT SHEET          ║
╠════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ HELLO (formal) → 안녕하세요               ║
║ HELLO (casual) → 안녕                     ║
║                                            ║
║ THANK YOU (formal) → 감사합니다           ║
║ THANKS (casual) → 고마워                  ║
║                                            ║
║ YES → 네  |  NO → 아니요                 ║
║                                            ║
║ I AM ___ (formal) → 저는 ___ 입니다      ║
║                                            ║
║ NICE TO MEET YOU → 만나서 반갑습니다     ║
║                                            ║
║ BYE (you leave/formal) → 안녕히 계세요   ║
║ BYE (they leave/formal) → 안녕히 가세요  ║
║ BYE (you leave/casual) → 잘 있어         ║
║ BYE (they leave/casual) → 잘 가          ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════╝

🔑 GOLDEN RULE: When in doubt, use formal!

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🎉 Congratulations! You've learned your first 15 Korean words and phrases. These are the foundation of every Korean conversation. Practice them daily, and soon they'll become second nature!

Next lesson: Numbers, basic questions, and more vocabulary to expand your conversational abilities. 화이팅! (hwaiting - you can do it!)