안녕히 계세요
The Korean phrase 안녕히 계세요 is an absolutely essential and fundamentally crucial interjection that is used specifically when you are the individual who is actively leaving a particular location, while the other person or the group of people you are speaking to are remaining behind at that exact same location. To truly, deeply, and comprehensively understand what this phrase means in its entirety, we must meticulously break down the individual linguistic components and the profound sociocultural implications of the phrase itself. The word 안녕히 is an adverbial form derived from the noun 안녕, which translates directly to peace, well-being, tranquility, or good health. By adding the suffix 히, it transforms into an adverb meaning peacefully, in peace, or with well-being. The second part of the phrase, 계세요, is the imperative or polite present tense form of the highly honorific verb 계시다, which is the respectful counterpart to the standard verb 있다, meaning to exist, to be, or to stay. Therefore, when you combine these two deeply meaningful components, the literal translation of the entire expression becomes stay in peace or exist peacefully. This literal translation beautifully encapsulates the core essence of Korean polite society, where expressing genuine concern for the ongoing well-being of the person remaining is considered a paramount social obligation. Sentence 안녕히 계세요 is spoken by the departing individual.
- 안녕히 (An-nyeong-hi)
- An adverb meaning peacefully, safely, or in a state of complete well-being and tranquility.
Always say 안녕히 계세요 when walking out the door.
- 계세요 (Gye-se-yo)
- The polite, honorific command or statement form of the verb meaning to stay or to exist.
Do not use 안녕히 계세요 with your closest childhood friends.
Mastering 안녕히 계세요 unlocks basic social navigation.
- Cultural Implication
- Reflects a society that highly values spatial dynamics and hierarchical respect during transitions.
The phrase 안녕히 계세요 is a cornerstone of daily polite interaction.
Using the phrase 안녕히 계세요 correctly in everyday Korean life requires a comprehensive understanding of both the linguistic rules and the physical, sociocultural behaviors that accompany the spoken words. First and foremost, the absolute primary rule that must be permanently etched into your memory is the spatial dynamic: you must be the person who is physically departing from the current location, and the recipient of your greeting must be the person who is physically remaining at that location. When stepping out of a cafe, tell the barista 안녕히 계세요.
- Spatial Rule
- The speaker departs; the listener remains stationary in the established environment.
A slight nod while saying 안녕히 계세요 is perfect for retail encounters.
- Physical Delivery
- Always pair the verbal greeting with corresponding respectful body language, primarily bowing.
Maintain polite demeanor when expressing 안녕히 계세요.
Address the whole room with 안녕히 계세요 if you are the sole early departer.
- Pacing
- While formal, native speakers often say it quickly; learners should practice fluid pronunciation.
Consistent practice of 안녕히 계세요 builds cultural fluency rapidly.
The phrase 안녕히 계세요 is absolutely ubiquitous in South Korea, and as a learner or visitor, you will undoubtedly hear it in a vast and diverse array of daily situations, making it one of the most frequently encountered expressions in the entire Korean language. One of the most common and predictable environments where you will hear and use this phrase is in the retail and service industry. Customers say 안녕히 계세요 to the cashier after completing a purchase.
- Retail Context
- Used by departing customers to acknowledge the staff who remain in the store.
Leaving the office early requires a polite 안녕히 계세요 to remaining coworkers.
- Domestic Context
- Essential for guests departing a host's residence to show gratitude and respect.
Ending a formal phone call often involves saying 안녕히 계세요.
Every taxi ride ends with a courteous 안녕히 계세요.
- Anticipation
- Knowing the context allows learners to prepare their greeting proactively.
Listen for 안녕히 계세요 in every public space you visit.
When learning the fundamental greetings of the Korean language, beginners almost universally encounter a specific set of highly common and entirely understandable mistakes regarding the phrase 안녕히 계세요. The single most prevalent, widespread, and frequently committed error is confusing this phrase with its direct counterpart, 안녕히 가세요 (An-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo). Do not accidentally say 안녕히 계세요 to someone who is walking away.
- The Core Mix-up
- Swapping the verbs for 'stay' and 'go' is the number one beginner mistake.
If both people are leaving, neither should use 안녕히 계세요.
- Register Error
- Using highly formal honorifics with close, casual friends creates awkward social distance.
Save 안녕히 계세요 for polite situations, not casual hangouts.
Always pair 안녕히 계세요 with appropriate, respectful body language.
- Mindful Practice
- Consciously thinking about who is moving and who is stationary before speaking.
Avoiding mistakes with 안녕히 계세요 shows great respect for Korean culture.
While 안녕히 계세요 is the absolute standard, universally recognized, and formally polite way to say goodbye when you are the person leaving a location, the Korean language is incredibly rich and nuanced, offering a wide variety of similar words, alternative expressions, and context-specific greetings that serve a comparable communicative function. Understanding these alternatives is essential for developing a truly natural and versatile command of the language. Expanding your vocabulary beyond 안녕히 계세요 allows for more nuanced interactions.
- 안녕 (An-nyeong)
- The casual, informal version used exclusively with close friends and younger people.
Use casual alternatives instead of 안녕히 계세요 with your best friends.
- 먼저 가보겠습니다
- A highly professional way to announce your departure from a workplace.
In an office, '수고하세요' often replaces 안녕히 계세요.
- Vocabulary Breadth
- Knowing multiple ways to say goodbye enhances your communicative competence.
Mastering alternatives to 안녕히 계세요 makes you sound like a native speaker.
Choose your goodbye based on the specific social context and relationship.
Examples by Level
선생님, 안녕히 계세요.
Goodbye, teacher (you are staying).
선생님 (teacher) + 안녕히 계세요 (goodbye to someone staying).
안녕히 계세요. 내일 봐요.
Goodbye. See you tomorrow.
내일 (tomorrow) + 봐요 (see).
사장님, 안녕히 계세요.
Goodbye, boss/owner.
사장님 (owner/boss) is a polite title.
모두 안녕히 계세요.
Goodbye, everyone.
모두 means 'everyone' or 'all'.
저는 갑니다. 안녕히 계세요.
I am going. Goodbye.
저는 (I) + 갑니다 (go, formal).
안녕히 계세요, 할머니.
Goodbye, grandmother.
Used respectfully with elders.
먼저 갈게요. 안녕히 계세요.
I will go first. Goodbye.
먼저 (first) + 갈게요 (I will go).
안녕히 계세요. 감사합니다.
Goodbye. Thank you.
Often paired with 감사합니다 (thank you) in service settings.
시간이 늦어서 저는 이만 가볼게요. 안녕히 계세요.
It's late, so I will get going now. Goodbye.
시간이 늦어서 (because it's late).
오늘 정말 즐거웠습니다. 안녕히 계세요.
I really enjoyed today. Goodbye.
즐거웠습니다 (was enjoyable).
다음에 또 오겠습니다. 안녕히 계세요.
I will come again next time. Goodbye.
다음에 (next time) + 또 (again) + 오겠습니다 (will come).
안녕히 계세요. 주말 잘 보내세요.
Goodbye. Have a good weekend.
주말 (weekend) + 잘 보내세요 (spend well).
도와주셔서 감사합니다. 안녕히 계세요.
Thank you for helping me. Goodbye.
도와주셔서 (because you helped).
회의가 끝나서 저는 먼저 일어날게요. 안녕히 계세요.
The meeting is over, so I will stand up (leave) first. Goodbye.
일어날게요 literally means 'I will stand up' but implies leaving.
안녕히 계세요. 감기 조심하세요.
Goodbye. Be careful not to catch a cold.
감기 (cold) + 조심하세요 (be careful).
맛있게 잘 먹었습니다. 안녕히 계세요.
I ate very well (It was delicious). Goodbye.
Standard polite phrase after eating.
바쁘신데 시간 내주셔서 감사합니다. 안녕히 계세요.
Thank you for making time even though you are busy. Goodbye.
바쁘신데 (even though you are busy) + 시간 내주셔서 (for making time).
제가 먼저 퇴근하겠습니다. 모두 안녕히 계세요.
I will get off work first. Goodbye, everyone.
퇴근하다 (to leave work).
그럼 연락드리겠습니다. 안녕히 계세요.
Then I will contact you. Goodbye.
연락드리겠습니다 (I will give you a contact/call, formal).
오늘 면접 기회를 주셔서 감사합니다. 안녕히 계세요.
Thank you for the interview opportunity today. Goodbye.
면접 (interview) + 기회 (opportunity).
짐은 제가 다 챙겼습니다. 이제 갈게요. 안녕히 계세요.
I have packed all my luggage. I will go now. Goodbye.
짐 (luggage) + 챙기다 (to pack/gather).
어머님, 아버님, 저희는 이만 가보겠습니다. 안녕히 계세요.
Mother, Father, we will be going now. Goodbye.
저희 (we, humble) + 가보겠습니다 (will try to go/will get going).
병원 문 닫을 시간이네요. 안녕히 계세요.
It's time for the hospital/clinic to close. Goodbye.
문 닫을 시간 (time to close the door).
안녕히 계세요. 조만간 다시 뵙겠습니다.
Goodbye. I will see you again soon.
조만간 (soon) + 뵙겠습니다 (will see, humble).
귀중한 조언 진심으로 감사드립니다. 그럼 안녕히 계십시오.
I sincerely thank you for your valuable advice. Well then, goodbye.
계십시오 is the highly formal (하십시오체) version of 계세요.
오늘 논의된 사항은 정리해서 메일로 보내드리겠습니다. 안녕히 계세요.
I will organize the items discussed today and send them by email. Goodbye.
논의된 사항 (discussed items) + 정리해서 (organize and).
오랜만에 뵈어서 정말 반가웠습니다. 건강히, 안녕히 계세요.
It was really nice to see you after a long time. Stay healthy, goodbye.
오랜만에 (after a long time) + 뵈어서 (because I saw you, humble).
불편을 드려 죄송합니다. 이만 물러가겠습니다. 안녕히 계세요.
I apologize for the inconvenience. I will withdraw now. Goodbye.
물러가겠습니다 (I will withdraw/step back, highly polite).
행사가 성공적으로 마무리되어 다행입니다. 먼저 실례하겠습니다. 안녕히 계세요.
It's a relief the event finished successfully. I will excuse myself first. Goodbye.
실례하겠습니다 (I will commit a discourtesy / excuse me).
저희가 준비한 자료는 여기까지입니다. 경청해 주셔서 감사합니다. 안녕히 계세요.
The materials we prepared end here. Thank you for listening. Goodbye.
경청해 주셔서 (for listening attentively).
더 머물고 싶지만 비행기 시간 때문에 일어나야겠습니다. 안녕히 계세요.
I want to stay longer, but I must get up due to my flight time. Goodbye.
머물고 싶지만 (want to stay but).
앞으로도 저희 회사에 많은 관심 부탁드립니다. 안녕히 계십시오.
We ask for your continued interest in our company in the future. Goodbye.
관심 부탁드립니다 (please give us your interest/support).
원장님, 그동안 베풀어 주신 은혜에 깊이 감사드립니다. 평안히 안녕히 계십시오.
Director, I am deeply grateful for the kindness you have shown me all this time. Please stay in absolute peace, goodbye.
평안히 (in absolute peace) adds extreme formal weight.
비록 저는 떠나지만, 이곳에 남은 분들의 건승을 기원합니다. 안녕히 계십시오.
Although I am leaving, I pray for the success of those remaining here. Goodbye.
건승을 기원합니다 (pray for success/good health).
이견을 좁히지 못해 아쉽습니다만, 다음 기회를 기약하며 이만 안녕히 계십시오.
It is a pity we couldn't narrow our differences, but promising a next opportunity, I will say goodbye for now.
이견을 좁히다 (to narrow differences of opinion).
송구스럽사오나 선약이 있어 먼저 자리를 떠야 할 것 같습니다. 안녕히 계십시오.
I am terribly sorry, but I have a prior engagement so I think I must leave the seat first. Goodbye.
송구스럽사오나 (I am terribly sorry but, highly archaic/formal).
오늘 나누었던 고견들, 가슴 깊이 새기겠습니다. 부디 강녕히, 안녕히 계십시오.
The excellent opinions shared today, I will engrave deep in my heart. Please stay in robust health, goodbye.
고견 (excellent opinion) + 강녕히 (in robust health, formal).
사안이 시급하여 부득이하게 먼저 일어나는 점 양해 부탁드립니다. 안녕히 계세요.
Please understand that I must inevitably get up first because the matter is urgent. Goodbye.
부득이하게 (inevitably/unavoidably).
여러분의 따뜻한 환대 덕분에 잊지 못할 추억을 안고 돌아갑니다. 안녕히 계세요.
Thanks to your warm hospitality, I return carrying unforgettable memories. Goodbye.
환대 (hospitality) + 안고 돌아갑니다 (return carrying).
모쪼록 진행 중인 프로젝트가 순조롭게 완수되기를 바랍니다. 그럼 안녕히 계십시오.
By all means, I hope the ongoing project is completed smoothly. Well then, goodbye.
모쪼록 (by all means/please) + 순조롭게 (smoothly).
세월이 흘러도 이곳에서의 가르침은 잊지 않겠습니다. 내내 평안하시고, 안녕히 계십시오.
Even as time passes, I will not forget the teachings from here. Be at peace always, and goodbye.
내내 (always/throughout) + 평안하시고 (be at peace and).
작별의 인사를 고하려니 발걸음이 무겁습니다만, 각자의 도생을 위해 이만 안녕히 계십시오.
My steps are heavy as I try to bid farewell, but for our respective paths in life, I will say goodbye for now.
작별의 인사를 고하다 (to bid farewell, highly literary).
비바람이 몰아쳐도 굳건히 자리를 지키시길 빌며, 소인은 이만 물러가옵니다. 안녕히 계십시오.
Praying that you hold your position firmly even if the wind and rain rage, this humble one withdraws now. Goodbye.
소인 (this humble one) + 물러가옵니다 (withdraws, archaic formal).
미천한 재주나마 보탬이 되었기를 바라며, 훗날을 기약하고 안녕히 계십시오.
Hoping that even my humble talents were of some help, I promise a future day and say goodbye.
미천한 재주 (humble talent).
시대의 격랑 속에서도 부디 옥체 보존하시옵고, 내내 안녕히 계시옵소서.
Even in the turbulent waves of the times, please preserve your precious health, and stay in peace always.
옥체 보존하시옵고 (preserve your precious body/health, extreme honorific).
더 이상의 미련은 접어두고 훌훌 털고 떠나려 합니다. 그동안 감사했고, 안녕히 계십시오.
I intend to fold away any further lingering attachments, shake them off, and leave. Thank you for everything, and goodbye.
미련 (lingering attachment) + 훌훌 털고 (shaking off lightly).
인연이 닿는다면 언젠가 다시 마주칠 날이 오겠지요. 그때까지 부디 안녕히 계십시오.
If our karma connects, a day will come when we cross paths again. Until then, please stay in peace.
인연이 닿다 (karma/destiny connects).
만남이 있으면 헤어짐도 있는 법, 회자정리의 이치를 따르며 이만 안녕히 계십시오.
As there is meeting, there is also parting; following the principle that those who meet must part, I say goodbye.
회자정리 (a Buddhist idiom: those who meet must part).
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~대해서
A2About; a particle indicating the subject of discussion.
~ 에 대해
A2About; concerning; regarding.
~쯤
A2About; approximately (quantity, time)
동의
B1The act of agreeing with someone's opinion or a proposal. A core functional word for IELTS Writing Task 2 'agree or disagree' questions.
모호성
B2The quality of being open to more than one interpretation; inexactness or lack of clarity.
그리고
A1And/and then
공지
A2A formal announcement or notification.
답하다
A1To answer
대답하다
A1To answer
대답
A1Answer; Reply (response to a question)