A2 Expression Neutral

잘 다녀와요.

jal danyeowayo.

Have a good trip/time!

Phrase in 30 Seconds

A polite way to wish someone a safe return when they are leaving for a short trip or errand.

  • Means: 'Go and come back well' (a standard farewell for someone returning soon).
  • Used in: Saying goodbye to family, friends, or colleagues leaving for the day.
  • Don't confuse: Do not use this for someone moving away permanently; use '안녕히 가세요' instead.
Departure + Expectation of Return = 잘 다녀와요

Explanation at your level:

This phrase means 'have a safe trip' for short times. Use it when someone leaves the house for work or school.
This is a polite expression used when someone is leaving for a short period. It combines 'well' (잘) and 'go and return' (다녀오다). It is essential for daily social etiquette in Korea.
The phrase '잘 다녀오다' is a cornerstone of Korean social interaction. It functions as a phatic expression, reinforcing the expectation of a return. It is specifically used for daily routines, distinguishing it from general farewells used for long-term travel or permanent departures.
In the context of Korean pragmatics, '잘 다녀오다' serves to mitigate the anxiety of separation. By explicitly wishing for a successful return, the speaker validates the social bond. It is a highly conventionalized formula that native speakers use automatically when a household member or colleague departs for the day.
The linguistic structure of '잘 다녀오다' reflects a cyclical view of time and space. It is a compound verb that encapsulates the entire journey—departure and return—into a single semantic unit. Its usage is governed by strict register constraints, requiring the speaker to adjust the honorific level based on the social hierarchy and the relationship with the departing person.
From a cognitive linguistics perspective, '잘 다녀오다' functions as a conceptual metaphor where the 'home' is the central anchor point. The phrase is not merely a wish for safety but an affirmation of the subject's membership within the domestic or professional unit. Its usage is a diagnostic of one's integration into Korean social structures, as it requires an intuitive grasp of the 'in-group' versus 'out-group' dynamics that define Korean interpersonal communication.

Meaning

Wishing someone well as they leave for a trip or activity.

🌍

Cultural Background

The return is a social obligation.

💡

Context is key

Only use for short trips.

Meaning

Wishing someone well as they leave for a trip or activity.

💡

Context is key

Only use for short trips.

Test Yourself

Which is appropriate for a friend leaving for school?

A: 잘 다녀와요. B: 안녕히 계세요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: A

A is for someone leaving, B is for someone staying.

🎉 Score: /1

Frequently Asked Questions

1 questions

Yes, if you add '조심히'.

Related Phrases

🔗

다녀오겠습니다

builds on

I will go and come back.

Where to Use It

🏠

Morning Routine

Wife: 잘 다녀오세요!

Husband: 네, 다녀올게요.

neutral
🎒

Child to School

Mom: 학교 잘 다녀와!

Child: 응, 다녀올게!

informal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'DA-NYEO' as 'Done-Yo' (I'm done with the trip and coming back).

Visual Association

Imagine a boomerang. You throw it out (the person leaves), and it comes back to your hand (the person returns).

Story

Every morning, Min-su leaves for work. His wife says '잘 다녀와요!' Min-su smiles, knowing he has a home to return to. He finishes his work and comes back exactly as promised.

Word Web

다니다오다안녕히 가세요조심히 가세요다녀오겠습니다인사

Challenge

Say this to a friend or family member every time they leave the house for 3 days.

In Other Languages

Japanese high

行ってらっしゃい (Itterasshai)

None, they are functional equivalents.

Spanish moderate

Que te vaya bien

Korean emphasizes the return, Spanish emphasizes the experience.

French moderate

Bon voyage

Korean is for daily errands; French is for travel.

German high

Komm gut zurück

German is used for longer trips; Korean is for daily life.

Arabic high

ترجع بالسلامة (Tarja' bil-salama)

Arabic is more formal/solemn.

Chinese low

慢走 (Màn zǒu)

Korean focuses on the return.

Portuguese moderate

Boa viagem

Lacks the 'return' focus.

Korean n/a

잘 다녀오세요

The baseline.

Easily Confused

잘 다녀와요. vs 안녕히 가세요

Learners use this for everyone.

Use this for people not returning soon.

FAQ (1)

Yes, if you add '조심히'.

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