안녕하세요?

You usually say this while giving a slight bow.

Your eyes should look down slightly, not staring intensely like a movie villain.

A 15-degree bow is perfect for most daily situations.

You can use it at 8:00 AM or 11:00 PM.

Korean doesn't really have separate 'Good morning' or 'Good evening' phrases.

안녕하세요? covers all time zones and all weather conditions.

If you are entering a shop, say it clearly to the staff.

If you are meeting a friend's older sibling, this is your go-to.

It is the safest way to avoid accidental rudeness.

Think of it as your 'social insurance policy' in Korea.

This phrase is in the 'polite' (haeyo-che) register.

It ends with 요, which is the magic key to politeness.

It is perfect for people you don't know well.

It is also great for people older than you or of higher status.

If you go even higher in formality, you get 안녕하십니까?.

That one sounds like a news anchor or a soldier.

If you go lower, you just say 안녕.

Only say 안녕 to children, pets, or very close friends.

Using 안녕하세요? with your boss is perfect.

Using it with a stranger at a bus stop is also perfect.

It is the 'Goldilocks' of Korean formality levels.

Imagine you are walking into a trendy café in Seoul.

You make eye contact with the barista and say 안녕하세요?.

They will almost certainly reply with the same phrase.

Or maybe you are joining a Zoom call with Korean colleagues.

As soon as your camera turns on, you drop a quick 안녕하세요?.

It sets a professional yet friendly tone immediately.

On Instagram, you might start a caption with 안녕하세요, 여러분!.

This means 'Hello, everyone!' and feels very welcoming.

In a travel vlog, you’d say it to the camera while exploring.

It is the universal 'I am a friendly human' signal.

Even delivery drivers will appreciate a quick 안녕하세요? at the door.

It’s better than just grabbing your fried chicken in silence.

Use it when you enter a restaurant or a small boutique.

Use it when you meet your language exchange partner for the first time.

Use it when you are introduced to someone older than you.

Use it when you are sending an email to a professor.

Use it when you bump into your neighbor in the elevator.

Use it when you start a presentation or a speech.

Use it when you want to ask for directions on the street.

It softens the interaction before you ask for help.

Basically, use it whenever you want to be a decent person.

It is hard to over-use this phrase in daily life.

Do not use it with your best friend from childhood.

It will sound like you are suddenly being cold or distant.

They might ask, 'Are you mad at me or something?'

Do not use it with your pet dog or cat.

They don't care about your polite particles, trust me.

Do not use it in extremely formal military settings.

There, you would need the stiffer 안녕하십니까? version.

Do not use it if you are much older than the other person.

An 80-year-old wouldn't say this to a 5-year-old child.

That would be like wearing a tuxedo to a playground.

Wait for the other person to initiate if you are the boss.

But when in doubt, being 'too polite' is always better.

Many beginners forget the slight rising intonation at the end.

It is technically a question, so let it lift a bit.

Another mistake is forgetting the bow while saying it.

Saying it while standing perfectly stiff looks a bit robotic.

Don't bow so low that you hit your head on the table.

And don't say it while chewing food; that's just universal rudeness.

Finally, don't mix it with English like '안녕하세요, Mr. Kim.'

Use the Korean name system to keep the flow natural.

안녕 — The casual 'Hi' for friends and kids.

안녕하십니까? — The formal 'Hello' for business and TV.

안녕들 하세요? — A plural version meaning 'Are you all well?'

안녕하셨어요? — 'Have you been well?' for people you've met before.

안냐세요 — A cute, slightly slurred version used in texting.

ㅎㅇ — The 'Hi' (HI) internet slang for gaming and chat.

Regional dialects (Satoori) might change the pitch and ending.

In Busan, it might sound a bit tougher and more rhythmic.

Younger generations might shorten it in KakaoTalk messages.

But for a learner, the standard version is your best friend.

It is the 'white T-shirt' of phrases; it never goes out of style.

Do I have to bow every single time?

Yes, usually a small nod or a 15-degree bow is expected. It shows that you aren't just saying words, but showing physical respect to the person.

Can I say it to someone younger than me?

Absolutely, if you don't know them or want to maintain a polite distance. It is very common for adults to use it with each other regardless of age.

Is it 'Good morning' or 'Hello'?

It is both! Korean doesn't really use 'Good morning' (좋은 아침) in natural conversation as much as English does. 안녕하세요? works all day long.

Why is there a question mark?

Because you are literally asking if the person is 'in peace.' Over time, it became a statement, but the grammar and intonation remain like a question.

What if I forget the 'yo' at the end?

You will sound like you are talking down to the person. In Korea, dropping the 요 (banmal) with a stranger is considered quite aggressive or rude.

Can I use it in an email?

Yes, it is the most common way to start a polite email. You usually follow it with your name, like '안녕하세요, [Name]입니다.'