Signification
An informal farewell used by someone who is staying to a person leaving.
Contexte culturel
The 'Bae-ung' (seeing off) culture means you should say '잘 가요' while standing up and ideally walking the person to the door. Sitting down while saying it can be seen as cold. In an office, the person staying always says '잘 가요' or '수고했어요' (you worked hard) to the person leaving. It acknowledges the effort of the day. On KakaoTalk, '잘 가요' is often shortened to '잘가' or even 'ㅂㅂ' (bye bye) among friends, but '잘 가요' remains the standard for polite group chats. Historically, '잘 가요' was a literal prayer for safety from tigers and bandits on mountain passes.
The Wave
Always accompany '잘 가요' with a small hand wave. It makes the 'yo' ending feel more sincere.
The 'Stay' Trap
If you are the one walking out the door, bite your tongue! Don't say '잘 가요'. Say '안녕히 계세요'.
Signification
An informal farewell used by someone who is staying to a person leaving.
The Wave
Always accompany '잘 가요' with a small hand wave. It makes the 'yo' ending feel more sincere.
The 'Stay' Trap
If you are the one walking out the door, bite your tongue! Don't say '잘 가요'. Say '안녕히 계세요'.
Add '집에'
Saying '집에 잘 가요' (Go home well) sounds much more caring and natural than just '잘 가요'.
Eye Contact
In Korea, looking someone in the eye while saying goodbye is important, but a slight bow of the head adds extra politeness.
Teste-toi
You are at home. Your friend is leaving. What do you say?
친구: 저 이제 갈게요. (Friend: I'm going now.) 당신: ________.
Since you are staying and the friend is leaving, '잘 가요' is the correct farewell.
Complete the phrase to say 'Go home well'.
집에 __ 가요.
'잘' (well) is the adverb used to wish someone a good journey.
Match the phrase to the correct person.
To whom would you say '잘 가요'?
'잘 가요' is polite but not formal enough for superiors or elders.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: 오늘 정말 재미있었어요. B: 저도요. 밤이 늦었네요. ________.
When it's late at night, adding '조심히' (carefully) to '잘 가요' is very natural.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Farewell Variations
Polite
- • 잘 가요
- • 조심히 가요
Formal
- • 안녕히 가세요
- • 안녕히 가십시오
Casual
- • 잘 가
- • 나중에 봐
Banque d exercices
4 exercices친구: 저 이제 갈게요. (Friend: I'm going now.) 당신: ________.
Since you are staying and the friend is leaving, '잘 가요' is the correct farewell.
집에 __ 가요.
'잘' (well) is the adverb used to wish someone a good journey.
To whom would you say '잘 가요'?
'잘 가요' is polite but not formal enough for superiors or elders.
A: 오늘 정말 재미있었어요. B: 저도요. 밤이 늦었네요. ________.
When it's late at night, adding '조심히' (carefully) to '잘 가요' is very natural.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt's better to say '감사합니다' or '수고하세요'. '잘 가요' sounds a bit too personal for a driver.
No, it is gender-neutral. Both men and women use it equally.
You both say '잘 가요' or '조심히 가요' to each other as you head in different directions.
You should respond with '네, 안녕히 계세요' (Yes, stay in peace) because they are the one staying.
No, it's too spoken-style. Use '안녕히 계십시오' or '감사합니다' to end an email.
Yes, in this context it means 'successfully' or 'safely'.
You would use the informal '잘 가' for a pet!
'바이바이' (Bye bye) is very cute/English-influenced. '잘 가요' is standard Korean.
Yes, but '조심히 잘 다녀오세요' (Go and come back safely) is more common for long trips.
They use similar forms, but '안녕히 가십시오' is more common in their formal public speech.
Expressions liées
안녕히 가세요
formalGo in peace
잘 가
synonymGo well (informal)
조심히 가요
similarGo carefully
안녕히 계세요
contrastStay in peace
나중에 봐요
builds onSee you later
