Meaning
A phrase said upon returning home or to an office.
Cultural Background
The 'Insa' culture is so strong that even if you live alone, some Koreans still say '다녀왔습니다' to their empty house or their pets to maintain the habit and feel a sense of 'home.' In traditional houses, the threshold of the main gate was a symbolic boundary. Saying this phrase was a way to signal to the 'house spirits' and the family that the boundary was being crossed safely. In Korean companies, returning from a meeting and not saying '다녀왔습니다' to your team can be seen as 'cold' or 'individualistic.' It's a way to re-sync with the group. In dramas, a character returning home and saying this phrase often marks a transition from their 'public' persona to their 'private' self. If they enter silently, it usually signals they are upset or depressed.
The 'Report' Rule
Think of it as reporting for duty. You are letting your 'unit' (family/team) know you are back.
Don't be a Ghost
Entering a Korean home silently is considered very awkward. Even a quiet '다녀왔습니다' is better than nothing.
Meaning
A phrase said upon returning home or to an office.
The 'Report' Rule
Think of it as reporting for duty. You are letting your 'unit' (family/team) know you are back.
Don't be a Ghost
Entering a Korean home silently is considered very awkward. Even a quiet '다녀왔습니다' is better than nothing.
Add '잘'
Adding '잘' (well) before the phrase ('잘 다녀왔습니다') makes you sound very polite and grateful for a safe trip.
Response is Key
If someone says this to you, you MUST respond. '어서 와' or '다녀오셨어요?' are the only acceptable answers.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct phrase to say when you walk into your house after work.
퇴근하고 집에 들어왔을 때 뭐라고 하나요?
You use '다녀왔습니다' when returning to your own home.
Fill in the blank with the correct verb form.
{學校|학교}에 잘 (______) 왔습니다.
The compound verb is '다녀오다'.
Match the phrase to the person you are speaking to.
Speak to your younger brother:
Use 'Banmal' (informal) with younger siblings.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 다녀왔습니다! B: (______)
'어서 와요' (Welcome back/Come in quickly) is a standard response.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Where to use it
Home
- • Living room
- • Front door
Work
- • Your desk
- • Office lobby
Practice Bank
4 exercises퇴근하고 집에 들어왔을 때 뭐라고 하나요?
You use '다녀왔습니다' when returning to your own home.
{學校|학교}에 잘 (______) 왔습니다.
The compound verb is '다녀오다'.
Speak to your younger brother:
Use 'Banmal' (informal) with younger siblings.
A: 다녀왔습니다! B: (______)
'어서 와요' (Welcome back/Come in quickly) is a standard response.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
6 questionsYes, but use the informal '나 다녀왔어' or '다녀왔어' to sound more affectionate.
No. Use '안녕하세요.' You don't live in the restaurant!
Many people still say it to their pets or just to the air to feel like they are truly 'home.'
'다녀왔습니다' is a greeting. '왔습니다' is just a statement that something has arrived (like a taxi or a package).
If you are with friends/family in the room, yes. If you are talking to the hotel staff at the desk, '안녕하세요' is better.
This is a Korean phonological rule called nasalization. 'ㅂ' becomes 'ㅁ' before 'ㄴ'.
Related Phrases
다녀오겠습니다
builds onI will go and come back.
어서 오세요
similarWelcome / Come in quickly.
잘 다녀왔니?
similarDid you have a good trip?
집에 왔어
synonymI'm home.
복귀했습니다
specialized formI have returned to my post.
다녀오셨어요?
similarAre you back?
