Korean Greetings: Formal, Informal, and Casual Speech Levels

Korean has seven speech levels, but three are commonly used in modern daily life. The formal polite level (-ㅂ니다/습니다 endings) is used in business, with superiors, in speeches, and on news broadcasts. It conveys maximum respect.

The standard polite level (-아/어요 endings) is the most versatile and is used with strangers, acquaintances, older people, and in everyday polite conversation. The casual level (반말, no polite endings) is used with close friends of the same age or younger, siblings, and children.

Age is the primary factor. You should use polite speech with someone even one year older unless they explicitly say you can speak casually. Using the wrong level is a significant social error in Korean culture.

The most common and universally appropriate way to say hello in Korean is 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo). This standard polite greeting works at any time of day and in nearly any social situation. It works with strangers, coworkers, shopkeepers, and acquaintances.

Unlike many European languages, Korean does not have separate morning, afternoon, and evening greetings. The casual form 안녕 (annyeong) is used between close friends of similar age. The formal form 안녕하십니까 (annyeonghashimnikka) is used in very formal settings like business meetings and speeches.

All three come from the word 안녕 meaning peace or well-being. The literal translation is 'Are you at peace?' accompanied by a bow.

밥 먹었어요? (Have you eaten?) is a traditional Korean greeting that reflects the culture's deep connection between food, care, and social bonds. Historically, Korea experienced periods of food scarcity. Asking if someone had eaten was a genuine expression of concern for their wellbeing.

Today, it functions more like 'How are you?' in English. It shows you care about the other person without necessarily expecting a literal answer about their last meal. The appropriate response is usually 네, 먹었어요 (Yes, I've eaten) or 아직이요 (Not yet).

Among close friends and especially older Koreans, this greeting remains very common and warm. It is most often used between people who have an established relationship rather than with complete strangers.

Bowing is an integral part of Korean greetings that accompanies verbal expressions. The depth and duration of the bow signal the level of respect.

A casual nod of about 15 degrees is appropriate for greeting friends and peers. A standard polite bow of about 30 degrees is used with older acquaintances, coworkers, and in most social situations. A deep bow of 45 degrees or more is reserved for formal occasions like meeting elders, superiors, or during traditional ceremonies like Lunar New Year (세배).

In business, bow when exchanging business cards (presented with both hands, received with both hands). When greeting someone significantly older or higher in status, avoid eye contact during the bow. Younger Koreans in casual settings may skip the bow with friends, but maintaining it in appropriate contexts shows cultural awareness.

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The ending 이/니다 (-imnida) appears frequently in Korean because it is the formal polite speech ending used in official contexts, news broadcasts, business, and with superiors. Many learners hear it in formal Korean content and assume it is more common than it actually is in everyday conversation.

In real daily life, most people use the standard polite ending (-아/어요), which is much softer and more conversational. You will hear -imnida in formal settings, professional environments, and with people you do not know well or who are significantly older. Understanding when to use each speech level is one of the most important skills in Korean.

Here are five essential Korean greetings that work in almost any situation:

1. 안녕하세요 (Hello) - Safe, polite greeting for anyone
2. 감사합니다 (Thank you) - Formal, shows appreciation
3. 죄송합니다 (I'm sorry) - Formal apology
4. 안녕히 가세요 (Goodbye to someone leaving) - Polite farewell
5. 잘 지내세요? (How have you been?) - Polite check-in with acquaintances

These five greetings handle the majority of basic social interactions. Once you master them, expand to other phrases based on the specific contexts where you interact in Korean. Consistency matters more than vocabulary size when building greeting fluency.