Phrase in 30 Seconds
A warm, polite way to wish someone a safe and pleasant journey back to their home.
- Means: 'Go home well' or 'Get home safely' in a polite tone.
- Used in: Parting with friends, colleagues, or acquaintances after a meeting.
- Don't confuse: Use '들어가세요' for superiors instead of '가요' to be extra respectful.
Explication à ton niveau :
Signification
A warm farewell wishing someone a safe journey home.
Contexte culturel
The 'Text Me' Culture: It is very common for the person who said '집에 잘 가요' to expect a text message once the other person arrives. This is a sign of a close relationship. The 'Entering' Nuance: Koreans often use '들어가다' (to enter) instead of '가다' (to go) for home. This reflects the traditional view of the home as a private, enclosed sanctuary. Safety First: Because Korea is generally very safe at night, this phrase is less about literal danger and more about social warmth and 'Jeong' (emotional bonding). Drinking Culture: After a 'Hoesik' (work dinner), the youngest member often stays until everyone else has left, saying '집에 잘 가요' or '조심히 들어가세요' to every senior member.
The 'Yo' Drop
If you are unsure of the formality, always keep the '요'. It is never rude to be too polite, but it is rude to be too casual.
The Follow-up
If someone says this to you, a simple '네, 감사합니다' or '네, 잘 가요' is the perfect response.
The 'Yo' Drop
If you are unsure of the formality, always keep the '요'. It is never rude to be too polite, but it is rude to be too casual.
The Follow-up
If someone says this to you, a simple '네, 감사합니다' or '네, 잘 가요' is the perfect response.
Don't use with '와요'
Remember, '와요' (come) is for when someone is coming to your location. '가요' (go) is for when they are leaving.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing particle and adverb.
집__ __ 가요.
The destination particle '에' and the adverb '잘' are required.
Which phrase is most appropriate for your boss?
사장님, ________.
For a boss, you must use the honorific '들어가세요'.
Match the phrase to the relationship.
1. Close friend, 2. Coworker, 3. Grandmother
Banmal for friends, Haeyo-che for coworkers, Honorifics for elders.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 오늘 정말 즐거웠어요. B: 저도요. 밤이 늦었네요. ________.
The context of 'night is late' implies a farewell wish to go home.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Formality Levels
Banque d exercices
5 exercices집__ __ 가요.
The destination particle '에' and the adverb '잘' are required.
사장님, ________.
For a boss, you must use the honorific '들어가세요'.
1. Close friend, 2. Coworker, 3. Grandmother
Banmal for friends, Haeyo-che for coworkers, Honorifics for elders.
A: 오늘 정말 즐거웠어요. B: 저도요. 밤이 늦었네요. ________.
The context of 'night is late' implies a farewell wish to go home.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt's better to say '수고하세요' (Keep up the good work) or '감사합니다' to a driver. '집에 잘 가요' is for people you know.
No, you can just say '잘 가요' (Go well). Adding '집에' makes it feel more specific and caring.
Then say '조심히 가요' (Go carefully) or '잘 가요'.
Use '집에 잘 가' or '조심히 들어가'. The '요' makes it feel too distant for a romantic partner.
It is 'jibe' (집에). 'Jibi' (집이) would be the subject form, which is incorrect here.
It's a bit casual for an email. In emails, '건강 유의하세요' (Take care of your health) is more common.
It literally means 'Please enter.' It implies entering your home safely. It's the more polite version of '가요'.
Only if you've had a conversation and are parting ways. Otherwise, a simple nod or '감사합니다' is better.
Yes, in this context. It can also mean 'often' or 'skillfully' in other sentences.
The most common response is '네, 잘 가요' or '네, 조심히 가세요'.
Expressions liées
잘 가
informalBye / Go well
조심히 들어가세요
specialized formPlease enter carefully
안녕히 가세요
synonymGo in peace
나 먼저 갈게
contrastI'm leaving first
도착하면 연락해
builds onContact me when you arrive
Où l'utiliser
After a Coffee Date
Person A: 오늘 커피 맛있었어요. (The coffee was great today.)
Person B: 네, 즐거웠어요. 집에 잘 가요! (Yes, it was fun. Get home safe!)
Leaving the Office
Colleague A: 먼저 퇴근하겠습니다. (I'm leaving first.)
Colleague B: 수고하셨어요. 집에 잘 가요. (Good job today. Get home safe.)
After a Group Dinner (Hoesik)
Friend A: 와, 진짜 배불러요. (Wow, I'm really full.)
Friend B: 그러게요. 다들 집에 잘 가요! (I know. Everyone, get home safe!)
Texting after a Date
Sender: 지하철 탔어요? 집에 잘 가요. (Did you catch the subway? Get home safe.)
Receiver: 네, 지금 가고 있어요. 고마워요! (Yes, I'm on my way. Thanks!)
Rainy Day Parting
A: 비가 너무 많이 와요. (It's raining too much.)
B: 우산 잘 쓰고, 집에 잘 가요. (Use your umbrella well, and get home safe.)
Late Night Study Session
Student A: 벌써 11시네. (It's already 11.)
Student B: 그러게. 피곤하다. 집에 잘 가! (Right. I'm tired. Get home safe!)
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Think of 'Jibe' as a 'Jeep' taking you home, and 'Jal' as 'Jolly'. You want a Jolly Jeep ride home!
Association visuelle
Imagine a warm yellow light glowing in the window of a cozy house. As you walk away, you wave to the house, wishing the person inside a 'well' (jal) journey to that light.
Rhyme
Jibe jal gayo, don't be slow, to your house you go!
Story
You are at a party in Seoul. It's midnight. You see your friend Minsu getting into a taxi. You want him to be safe. You shout 'Jibe!' (Home!) 'Jal!' (Well!) 'Gayo!' (Go!). He smiles and waves back.
In Other Languages
In Japanese, 'Ki o tsukete kaette ne' is very similar. In German, 'Komm gut nach Hause' uses the same 'Come/Go well' structure.
Word Web
Défi
Next time you finish a Korean lesson or talk to a Korean friend, don't just say 'Goodbye.' Use '집에 잘 가요' and see their reaction!
Review this phrase every time you leave your own house to anchor the concept of 'going home'.
Prononciation
The 'p' in 'jip' carries over to the 'e', sounding like 'ji-be'.
A clear 'l' sound at the end.
Simple 'ka' and 'yo'.
Spectre de formalité
안녕히 가십시오. (General parting)
집에 잘 가요. (General parting)
집에 잘 가. (General parting)
잘 가라~ (General parting)
The phrase is a combination of native Korean words. '집' (Jip) is the native word for house. '잘' (Jal) is a native adverb. '가다' (Gada) is the native verb for 'to go'. Unlike many Korean words, this phrase does not rely on Chinese characters (Hanja) for its core meaning, though {家|가} (house) and {去|거} (go) are the conceptual roots.
Le savais-tu ?
In the past, people would sometimes say '호랑이 조심해' (Watch out for tigers) as a joke or a serious warning, which served the same social purpose as '집에 잘 가요'.
Notes culturelles
The 'Text Me' Culture: It is very common for the person who said '집에 잘 가요' to expect a text message once the other person arrives. This is a sign of a close relationship.
“저 집에 잘 도착했어요! (I arrived home well!)”
The 'Entering' Nuance: Koreans often use '들어가다' (to enter) instead of '가다' (to go) for home. This reflects the traditional view of the home as a private, enclosed sanctuary.
“조심히 들어가세요. (Please enter [home] carefully.)”
Safety First: Because Korea is generally very safe at night, this phrase is less about literal danger and more about social warmth and 'Jeong' (emotional bonding).
“밤길 조심하고 집에 잘 가요. (Watch the night road and get home safe.)”
Drinking Culture: After a 'Hoesik' (work dinner), the youngest member often stays until everyone else has left, saying '집에 잘 가요' or '조심히 들어가세요' to every senior member.
“부장님, 조심히 들어가세요! (Manager, please get home safe!)”
Amorces de conversation
오늘 너무 늦었네요. (It's so late today.)
비가 오기 시작했어요. (It started raining.)
오늘 도와줘서 정말 고마워요. (Thank you so much for helping today.)
Erreurs courantes
집에 잘 와요.
집에 잘 가요.
L1 Interference
집에 좋은 가요.
집에 잘 가요.
L1 Interference
집을 잘 가요.
집에 잘 가요.
L1 Interference
사장님, 집에 잘 가요!
사장님, 조심히 들어가세요.
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
気をつけて帰ってね (Ki o tsukete kaette ne)
Japanese focuses on 'care,' Korean focuses on 'well/successfully.'
Que llegues bien a casa.
Spanish uses a full clause ('that you arrive'), Korean uses a simple adverb-verb combo.
Rentre bien.
French is very concise; Korean often adds the destination '집에'.
Komm gut nach Hause.
German uses 'come' (komm), Korean uses 'go' (ga).
توصلي بالسلامة (Tawsal bel salama)
Arabic is more formal and carries a religious/spiritual undertone of safety.
慢走 (Mànzǒu)
Chinese focuses on the speed/care of the walk, Korean on the 'well' state of the journey.
Vá com Deus.
Portuguese relies on a religious blessing; Korean is secular and social.
Get home safe.
English uses 'safe' (adjective/adverbial use), Korean uses 'well' (adverb).
Spotted in the Real World
“조심히 들어가요.”
Se-ri says this to the North Korean soldiers when they are parting ways.
“집으로 돌아가는 길...”
The song is about the emotional journey of going home.
“집에 잘 가요, 치과 선생님.”
Chief Hong says this to Hye-jin after walking her home.
Facile à confondre
Learners confuse 'go' and 'come'.
Always use '가요' (go) when the person is moving away from you.
Sounds similar to '잘 가요'.
'자요' means sleep. Use this only if they are going to bed immediately.
Questions fréquentes (10)
It's better to say '수고하세요' (Keep up the good work) or '감사합니다' to a driver. '집에 잘 가요' is for people you know.
usage contextsNo, you can just say '잘 가요' (Go well). Adding '집에' makes it feel more specific and caring.
grammar mechanicsThen say '조심히 가요' (Go carefully) or '잘 가요'.
practical tipsUse '집에 잘 가' or '조심히 들어가'. The '요' makes it feel too distant for a romantic partner.
cultural usageIt is 'jibe' (집에). 'Jibi' (집이) would be the subject form, which is incorrect here.
grammar mechanicsIt's a bit casual for an email. In emails, '건강 유의하세요' (Take care of your health) is more common.
usage contextsIt literally means 'Please enter.' It implies entering your home safely. It's the more polite version of '가요'.
basic understandingOnly if you've had a conversation and are parting ways. Otherwise, a simple nod or '감사합니다' is better.
usage contextsYes, in this context. It can also mean 'often' or 'skillfully' in other sentences.
grammar mechanicsThe most common response is '네, 잘 가요' or '네, 조심히 가세요'.
practical tips
