처음 뵙겠습니다
cheoeum boepgetseumnida
Nice to meet you
Wörtlich: I will see you for the first time
In 15 Sekunden
- The gold standard for polite first-time introductions.
- Literally translates to 'I see you for the first time.'
- Best used with a slight bow in professional settings.
Bedeutung
This is the most polite and standard way to say 'How do you do?' or 'Nice to meet you' when you are meeting someone for the very first time. It signals that you are a respectful person who values good manners.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 7Meeting a new boss
사장님, 처음 뵙겠습니다. 김철수입니다.
Boss, nice to meet you. I am Chul-soo Kim.
Meeting a blind date
안녕하세요, 처음 뵙겠습니다. 말씀 많이 들었어요.
Hello, nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you.
Meeting your girlfriend's father
아버님, 처음 뵙겠습니다.
Sir, it is an honor to meet you for the first time.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The first meeting is often accompanied by the exchange of business cards (Myeong-ham). You should give and receive cards with both hands, and take a moment to read the card before putting it away. Saying '처음 뵙겠습니다' during this process is standard. In a company setting, your title is often more important than your name. When saying '처음 뵙겠습니다', it's common to follow up with your department and rank. Even in Korean communities abroad (like in the US or Brazil), this phrase remains a vital way for younger generations to show they still respect traditional values when meeting elders. On professional networking sites like LinkedIn, Koreans often start their first message with '처음 인사드립니다' (I greet you for the first time), which is the written equivalent of '처음 뵙겠습니다'.
The Bow is Key
Don't just say the words. A slight bow (about 15-30 degrees) makes the phrase authentic. Keep your hands at your sides or folded in front.
The 'One-Time' Rule
Remember, this is a 'disposable' phrase. Once you've used it with someone, it's gone forever for that relationship. Using it again is a social faux pas.
In 15 Sekunden
- The gold standard for polite first-time introductions.
- Literally translates to 'I see you for the first time.'
- Best used with a slight bow in professional settings.
What It Means
Think of this as your 'First Impression Power Move.' It is the most polite way to say hello to a stranger. It literally means 'I am seeing you for the first time.' It sounds very professional and respectful. Use it when you want to show you have great manners.
How To Use It
Stand tall but give a small, respectful bow. Say 처음 뵙겠습니다 with a gentle smile. You don't need to shout it. It is usually the very first thing out of your mouth. After this, you usually introduce your name. It sets a high-quality tone for the conversation.
When To Use It
Use this in any formal or semi-formal setting. It is perfect for job interviews. Use it when meeting your partner’s parents for the first time. It works great when meeting a new client at work. If you are joining a new club, this makes you look very polished.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this with people you have already met. It implies you forgot them entirely! That can be a bit hurtful or just plain awkward. Also, avoid using it with kids or people much younger than you. It sounds way too stiff for a playground. Don't use it in a loud, messy club where everyone is casual.
Cultural Background
In Korea, the first meeting dictates the entire relationship. Using the humble verb 뵙다 shows you are lowering yourself. This is a sign of high respect to the other person. It reflects the Confucian roots of Korean social hierarchy. It’s about creating harmony from the very first second.
Common Variations
The most common alternative is 만나서 반갑습니다. That one is more like 'Nice to meet you.' You can even combine them! Say 처음 뵙겠습니다. 만나서 반갑습니다. This is the ultimate polite combo. If things are more casual, just 반가워요 works fine.
Nutzungshinweise
This phrase is strictly formal. It uses the 'humble' register, meaning you should never use it to describe yourself seeing someone of lower status (like a child or a subordinate in a very casual setting).
The Bow is Key
Don't just say the words. A slight bow (about 15-30 degrees) makes the phrase authentic. Keep your hands at your sides or folded in front.
The 'One-Time' Rule
Remember, this is a 'disposable' phrase. Once you've used it with someone, it's gone forever for that relationship. Using it again is a social faux pas.
Pair it with 'Jal Butak-deurimnida'
To sound like a native, always follow up with 'Jal butak-deurimnida' (Please treat me well). It's the perfect 1-2 punch for introductions.
Eye Contact
In Korea, during the bow, you should look down at the floor, not maintain eye contact. Once you stand back up, you can make brief, polite eye contact.
Beispiele
7사장님, 처음 뵙겠습니다. 김철수입니다.
Boss, nice to meet you. I am Chul-soo Kim.
Using the title 'Sajangnim' with this phrase is very professional.
안녕하세요, 처음 뵙겠습니다. 말씀 많이 들었어요.
Hello, nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you.
A polite way to start a potentially romantic introduction.
아버님, 처음 뵙겠습니다.
Sir, it is an honor to meet you for the first time.
Essential for making a good impression on elders.
여러분, 처음 뵙겠습니다. 잘 부탁드립니다.
Everyone, nice to meet you. Please look after me.
A classic 'new employee' greeting in Korea.
안녕하세요, 처음 뵙겠습니다. 이메일로 연락드렸던 박지민입니다.
Hello, nice to meet you. I am Jimin Park, who emailed you.
Perfect for a first-time formal text or KakaoTalk message.
어? 우리 어제 만났는데... 처음 뵙겠습니다?
Huh? We met yesterday... Nice to meet you (for the first time)?
Used jokingly when someone forgets they already met you.
와, 정말 처음 뵙겠습니다! 너무 팬이에요!
Wow, nice to meet you for the first time! I'm such a fan!
Expresses excitement while maintaining polite respect.
Teste dich selbst
You are meeting your new boss for the first time. Which greeting is most appropriate?
사장님, ________. 김민수입니다.
Meeting a boss for the first time requires the highest level of formality and the specific 'first meeting' phrase.
Complete the dialogue between two business partners meeting for the first time.
A: 처음 뵙겠습니다. 박준호입니다. B: 반갑습니다. ________. 이영희입니다.
In a formal introduction, both parties typically use '처음 뵙겠습니다' to show mutual respect.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: You are meeting your girlfriend's grandmother for the first time.
Grandmothers are elders who command high respect, making '처음 뵙겠습니다' the only correct choice.
Fill in the missing word to complete the humble greeting.
처음 ________.
The humble verb stem '뵙-' is required for this specific formal expression.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 Aufgaben사장님, ________. 김민수입니다.
Meeting a boss for the first time requires the highest level of formality and the specific 'first meeting' phrase.
A: 처음 뵙겠습니다. 박준호입니다. B: 반갑습니다. ________. 이영희입니다.
In a formal introduction, both parties typically use '처음 뵙겠습니다' to show mutual respect.
Situation: You are meeting your girlfriend's grandmother for the first time.
Grandmothers are elders who command high respect, making '처음 뵙겠습니다' the only correct choice.
처음 ________.
The humble verb stem '뵙-' is required for this specific formal expression.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenYes, if it's a formal setting like work. If it's a casual party, '처음 봬요' or just '반가워요' is better.
It's safer to say '안녕하세요' (Hello) and '혹시 우리 만난 적 있나요?' (Have we met before?) rather than risking '처음 뵙겠습니다'.
Not really. Formal Korean requires the full length to maintain the level of respect.
'뵙다' is a humble verb specifically designed to show respect to the person you are seeing. '만나다' is neutral and lacks that social weight.
Usually, you say '처음 뵙겠습니다' first, then your name. Example: '처음 뵙겠습니다. 저는 제임스입니다.'
Yes, but '처음 인사드립니다' is slightly more common in written form. '처음 뵙겠습니다' is very much a 'face-to-face' phrase.
The other person will usually say the exact same thing back: '네, 처음 뵙겠습니다.'
Koreans will be extremely impressed if you use this correctly. it shows you've studied their culture, not just the language.
Functionally yes, but literally it means 'I see you for the first time'.
Just say '반갑습니다' (Nice to meet you). It's less formal but still very polite and safe for beginners.
Yes, the phrase is common across the peninsula, though North Korean intonation and some formal suffixes may differ slightly.
No, it would sound very strange and overly formal. Just say '안녕' (Hi) to children.
Verwandte Redewendungen
만나서 반갑습니다
similarNice to meet you
잘 부탁드립니다
builds onPlease look after me / I look forward to working with you
처음 봬요
variationHow do you do? (Polite)
오랜만입니다
contrastLong time no see
실례합니다
similarExcuse me
