The Formal and Casual Manner of Being Courteous Using Korean Greetings

If you want to greet someone, you are not familiar with, you would do so formally in the Korean language. Greetings are not only for socializing purposes but they can also be used to demonstrate respect.

Varying cultures have varying manner of greeting somebody. The word "annyeong" which means "hello" is used in Korea for greeting close acquaintances. Annyeong is an informal word that close friends use among themselves. Similarly, "jal jinetsuh?" or "jal jinetsuh-you?" are spoken to informally say "how are you doing?" The greeting "jal jinetsuh" is used when you are speaking to somebody of similar social standing or somebody of a humblers social standing than the one speaking. This word is used in situations where the greeting takes place between two peers, an employer to an employee and a mom to the son.

To formally say "hi" one could say "annyeonghaseyo." To ask "how do you do?" formally, you could use "jal jinetsuh-yo" or "jal jineshuhtseupnika." The formal way of greeting is used to greet those who have a higher social rank than you are such as an instructor, father or mother, employer or an elder. The differentiation between formal and informal lingo originated from the influence of thoughts that esteem social hierarchy.

Respect is extremely regarded in Korea. As observed from the culture, parents and the elderly are always given due respect by bowing. Though eras have changed and many youngsters today say "hello" when addressing their father and mother and seniors, people still follow the custom of bowing. The custom of bowing is still practiced though especially in formalities or during special occasions such as national holidays. There are Koreans who uphold the custom.

One will notice that there are a variety of varieties of greeting in the Korean language. To say "Hi, how are you?" in an informal way, you can use "Annyeong, jal jinetsuh?" Remember that "annyeong" is informal and is to be used among friends. The formal way to say "hello" is "annyeonghaseyo." The phrase "long time no see" would be "Orenmani-eh-yo." The expression "~geh Jineda" is used to ask "How have been spending your time?"

There are many questions that are commonly used to ask an individual's well-being such as "What have you been up to?" which is "Mwuh-hago Jinetsuh?" in the Korean language. "Jal Itsuht-uh-yo?" is used to courteously question "How have you been?" Inquiring about how an individual is feeling today is "Oneul uhddeyo" in the Korean language. To ask a person "How do you feel this day?" the expression is "Oneul giboon-i uhdduhngayo?"

The first step in studying a new lingo involves knowing the primary forms of greetings. There will be many more expressions that you will learn and apply in everyday situations as you study and expose yourself to the Korean language.

Even more Resources:
#What is "Glad" in Korean?
Various Phrases for Well Wishes in the Korean Language
Learning Commonly Used Greetings in Korean
Possible ways of Practicing Korean