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Vocabulary
배웅하다

A2 verb #9,000 most common 10 min read

배웅하다

baeunghada Top 9,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 배웅하다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 배웅하다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the basic meaning of '배웅하다' as 'to say goodbye by walking with someone.' You don't need to worry about complex grammar. Just remember that it is an action you do for a friend or family member who is leaving your house or a place where you were together. It is like saying 'I will walk you to the door.' You can use it in simple sentences like '친구를 배웅해요' (I see my friend off). It is the opposite of '마중하다' (meeting someone). Think of '배웅' as the 'Bye-bye' walk.

At the A2 level, you should start using '배웅하다' with the particle '-까지' to show where you are walking the person to. For example, '역까지 배웅해요' (I see them off to the station). You should also learn the common pattern '배웅하러 가다' (to go to see someone off), which is very useful for explaining why you are going to the airport or a bus terminal. At this level, you should also be aware of the polite form '배웅해 드려요' for elders, as showing respect during departures is a key part of basic Korean social interaction.

At the B1 level, you should understand the cultural nuance of '배웅하다.' It is not just a physical movement but a gesture of 'Jeong' (affection). You can use it in more complex sentences with connectors like '-아서/어서' or '-(으)니까.' For example, '비가 오니까 정류장까지 배웅해 줄게요' (Since it's raining, I'll see you off to the bus stop). You should also be able to distinguish it clearly from '보내다' (to send) and '인사하다' (to greet). You might use it to describe daily routines or past experiences involving travel or hosting guests.

At the B2 level, you can use '배웅하다' in various social registers and more nuanced contexts. You should be comfortable using it in the passive-like causative forms or within reported speech. You will encounter it in literature and media to describe emotional partings. You should also learn related nouns like '배웅객' (people seeing others off at a station). You can discuss the importance of '배웅' in Korean business etiquette, such as walking a client to their car or the elevator, and how this differs from Western 'goodbye' customs.

At the C1 level, you should be able to use '배웅하다' and its synonyms like '전송하다' or '환송하다' with precision. You can analyze the emotional weight of '배웅' in Korean cinema or literature, where the act of watching someone leave until they disappear is a powerful symbol of longing or duty. You should understand idiomatic uses and how the word functions in formal diplomatic or corporate protocols. You can use it to explain complex social hierarchies, such as who sees whom off and how far they walk based on their relative status.

At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of '배웅하다.' You understand the subtle differences between '배웅,' '전송,' and '환송' in all contexts, from classical literature to modern technical reports. You can use the word to discuss the evolution of Korean hospitality in a fast-paced urban society. You can handle complex grammatical structures where '배웅' is part of a larger metaphorical expression. You are also aware of regional variations or archaic terms related to seeing people off on long journeys (like '전송객').

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

배웅하다 in 30 Seconds

To physically escort a departing person to a station or door.
A key gesture of Korean hospitality and respect for guests.
The opposite of '마중하다' (to meet someone arriving).
Used with '-까지' to indicate the destination of the escort.

The Korean verb 배웅하다 (bae-ung-ha-da) is a deeply evocative term that translates most closely to 'to see someone off' or 'to escort someone to their point of departure.' Unlike the English phrase, which can sometimes feel like a casual wave from the porch, 배웅하다 carries a significant cultural weight of hospitality, respect, and emotional connection. It describes the physical act of walking or driving with a guest, friend, or family member to a location—such as a front door, a bus stop, a train station, or an airport terminal—to ensure they depart safely and to prolong the shared moment of connection. This word is the functional and emotional counterpart to 마중하다, which means to go out to meet or pick someone up upon their arrival.

Core Concept: The essence of 배웅하다 lies in the 'going with' aspect. It is not merely saying goodbye; it is the physical accompaniment until the very moment the person is out of sight or has boarded their transport. In Korean culture, failing to 배웅 a guest at least to the door is often considered quite rude or cold.
Social Dynamics: The distance of the 배웅 often reflects the level of intimacy or the status of the guest. For a casual friend, you might walk them to the elevator. For an honored elder or a close friend leaving for a long time, you might travel all the way to the airport terminal. It serves as a final gesture of 'Jeong' (affectionate attachment).

"공항까지 친구를 배웅하러 갔어요." (I went to the airport to see my friend off.)

A typical usage showing the destination and the purpose of the trip.

In contemporary South Korean life, you will hear this word in various settings. At the end of a dinner party, the host will likely say, "제가 문 앞까지 배웅해 드릴게요" (I will see you to the door). In K-dramas, dramatic scenes often occur during a 배웅, where characters struggle with the finality of a departure. It is a verb that bridges the gap between 'being together' and 'being apart.' It is important to note that this is an active verb; you are the one performing the action for someone else. You don't 'receive' a seeing-off in the same grammatical way; rather, someone 'does' it for you.

When using 배웅하다, you are signaling your investment in the relationship. It is rarely used for strangers unless in a professional hospitality context (like a hotel concierge). For learners, mastering this word helps you navigate the complex social expectations of Korean politeness. It demonstrates that you understand that a goodbye in Korea is a process, not just a word. Whether it is a short walk to the gate or a long drive to another city, 배웅하다 captures the bittersweet nature of parting ways while promising a future reunion.

Using 배웅하다 correctly involves understanding its role as a transitive verb that typically takes an object (the person being seen off) and often a destination (where you are seeing them off to). The basic sentence structure follows: [Subject]이/가 [Person]을/를 [Location]까지 배웅하다. This structure allows you to specify who is leaving, who is accompanying them, and where the final point of separation occurs.

Grammatical Particles: The particle -까지 (kkaji) meaning 'until' or 'to' is almost always paired with this verb to indicate the physical limit of the escort. For example, '집 앞까지' (to the front of the house) or '역까지' (to the station).
Honorific Forms: If you are seeing off an elder or a superior, you should use the honorific version: 배웅해 드리다. This replaces the standard '하다' with '해 드리다' to show that you are performing the act of seeing them off as a service or gesture of respect.

"부모님을 역까지 배웅해 드렸어요." (I saw my parents off to the station.)

The verb can be used in various tenses and moods. In the present tense, 배웅해요 (polite) or 배웅한다 (plain) describes a current or habitual action. In the future tense, 배웅할 거예요 expresses your intention to accompany someone. It is also frequently used with the purposive ending -(으)러, as in 배웅하러 가다 (to go in order to see someone off). This is the most common way to describe the trip you take to the airport or station.

Furthermore, 배웅하다 is often used in the imperative or suggestive mood when hosts are being polite. A host might say, "제가 나가는 길을 배웅해 줄게요" (I’ll see you out). This softens the departure and makes the guest feel valued until the very last moment. In written contexts, such as novels or scripts, it often appears in descriptive passages to set a melancholy or supportive tone, highlighting the physical distance growing between two people as one walks away and the other stands watching.

In daily life in South Korea, 배웅하다 is a word of transition. You will hear it most frequently in domestic settings and transportation hubs. It is a 'threshold' word—used when moving from a shared space to an individual journey. Understanding its context helps you recognize not just the word, but the social ritual it represents.

The Airport (공항): This is the primary setting for 배웅. In Korea, it is very common for entire families to go to the airport to see off a student studying abroad or a relative moving away. You will hear announcements or see signs related to '배웅하는 곳' (the place for seeing people off).
The Front Door (현관문): In a typical Korean home, when a guest leaves, the host doesn't just say goodbye from the couch. They stand up, go to the 현관 (entryway), and often step outside to the elevator or the street. This action is described as 배웅하다.

"손님이 가실 때 문밖까지 배웅하는 것이 예의입니다." (It is polite to see a guest off outside the door when they leave.)

You will also encounter this word in media. In K-Dramas, a 배웅 scene at a bus stop is a classic trope for developing romance. The slow walk to the stop and the lingering look as the bus pulls away are all part of the 배웅 experience. In news reports, you might hear it used for diplomatic visits: "대통령이 외빈을 비행기 앞까지 배웅했습니다" (The President saw the foreign guest off to the plane).

In business contexts, 배웅하다 is vital. After a meeting, a Korean business partner will often walk you to the elevator or even to your car. This isn't just a walk; it's a formal 배웅 that signifies the successful conclusion of the meeting and respect for the partnership. If you leave a store and the staff bows at the door as you exit, that is a commercialized version of this cultural practice. Recognizing these moments allows you to appreciate the 'hidden' labor of Korean social etiquette.

The most frequent mistake learners make with 배웅하다 is confusing it with its directional opposite, or using it in contexts where a simpler 'goodbye' verb would suffice. Because English uses 'see someone' for both meeting and leaving (e.g., 'I'll see you there' vs 'I'll see you off'), the distinction in Korean can be tricky.

The '마중' vs '배웅' Confusion: This is the number one error. 마중하다 is used when someone is ARRIVING (meeting them). 배웅하다 is used when someone is LEAVING. Learners often say '배웅하러 가요' when they are actually going to pick someone up from the airport. Remember: 마중 is for 'Welcome,' 배웅 is for 'Farewell.'
Misusing with '인사하다': 인사하다 means to greet or say hello/goodbye. You can 인사 without 배웅 (e.g., shouting 'Bye!' from another room), but you usually 인사 while you 배웅. Don't use 배웅하다 if you are just saying the words without the physical act of escorting.

❌ "친구를 공항에서 배웅해서 우리 집에 왔어요." (Incorrect: You can't see someone off and then have them come to your house.)
✅ "친구를 공항에서 마중해서 우리 집에 왔어요." (Correct: I met my friend at the airport and we came to my house.)

Another common mistake is the omission of the object. In English, we can say 'I went to see off,' but in Korean, the object (the person) is almost always required unless it's incredibly clear from the context. Furthermore, learners often forget the honorific -드리다 when talking about elders. Saying "할머니를 배웅했어요" is grammatically correct but socially slightly 'dry'; "할머니를 배웅해 드렸어요" is much more appropriate for a Korean cultural context.

Lastly, be careful with the particle -를. Since 배웅하다 is an action directed at a person, that person must be the direct object. You don't '배웅' *to* a person in the sense of 'to them'; you 'see *them* off.' If you are seeing off a group, you can use '친구들을' or '손님들을.' Avoid using the dative particle -에게 with this verb.

While 배웅하다 is the most common and versatile term for seeing someone off, there are several related words that carry different nuances of formality, direction, and intensity. Choosing the right one depends on the specific situation and your relationship with the person departing.

전송하다 (Jeonsong-hada): This is a more formal and somewhat 'heavy' version of 배웅하다. It is often used in news reports or for official ceremonies. It also has a second meaning: 'to transmit' data or signals, so be careful with context! In the sense of seeing someone off, it implies a more solemn or official farewell.
보내다 (Bonaeda): This is a generic verb meaning 'to send' or 'to let go.' While you can use it for people (e.g., '친구를 보내다'), it lacks the specific nuance of physical accompaniment that 배웅하다 provides. Use this when the focus is on the departure itself rather than the act of walking with them.
작별하다 (Jakbyeol-hada): This means 'to part ways' or 'to say a final farewell.' It is much more dramatic and usually implies a long-term or permanent separation. You wouldn't use this for a friend leaving after dinner; you would use it for a soldier going to war or a couple breaking up.

Word	Focus	Example Context
배웅하다	Accompaniment	Walking a friend to the bus.
마중하다	Arrival/Meeting	Waiting at the gate for a guest.
환송하다	Celebratory Farewell	A party for someone moving.

Another useful word is 환송하다 (Hwansong-hada). This specifically means to 'give a send-off,' often implying a party or a group gathering to wish someone well. If you are having a farewell dinner, that is a 환송회 (farewell party). While 배웅 is the physical act of walking them out, 환송 is the social celebration of their departure. Lastly, 동행하다 (Donghaeng-hada) means 'to accompany' in a general sense, but it doesn't necessarily imply that one person is leaving and the other is staying behind.

For everyday conversation, stick with 배웅하다. It is the perfect balance of polite, warm, and natural. If you want to be extra polite to an elder, remember to use 배웅해 드리다. If you are the one being seen off, you can say "배웅해 주셔서 감사합니다" (Thank you for seeing me off), which is a common and highly appreciated phrase in Korea.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

While many Korean words come from Chinese characters (Hanja), '배웅' is a pure Korean word (Pureum), making it feel more emotionally resonant to native speakers.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /bɛ.uŋ.ɦa.da/

US /beɪ.uŋ.hɑ.dɑ/

The stress is relatively even, but a slight emphasis is often placed on the first syllable '배' (bae).

Rhymes With

마중하다 (Ma-jung-ha-da) 적응하다 (Jeok-eung-ha-da) 반응하다 (Ban-eung-ha-da) 사용하다 (Sa-yong-ha-da) 운동하다 (Un-dong-ha-da) 조용하다 (Jo-yong-ha-da) 활용하다 (Hwal-yong-ha-da) 수용하다 (Su-yong-ha-da)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '배' as 'bee'. It should be 'bae'.
Missing the 'ng' sound in '웅' and saying 'un' instead.
Merging '배' and '웅' into one syllable. They must be distinct: Bae-ung.
Forgetting the aspiration in '하' (ha).
Pronouncing '웅' with a hard 'g' at the end.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The word is common and easy to recognize in text.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct usage of the object particle and destination markers.

Speaking 3/5

Must remember to use honorifics for elders.

Listening 2/5

Distinct pronunciation makes it easy to hear.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

가다 (to go) 오다 (to come) 인사 (greeting) 친구 (friend) 공항 (airport)

Learn Next

마중하다 (to meet) 환송하다 (to give a send-off) 마중 나가다 (to go out to meet) 작별 인사 (farewell greeting) 동행하다 (to accompany)

Advanced

전송하다 (to transmit/send off formally) 영접하다 (to welcome formally) 석별 (sorrow of parting) 귀국 (returning to one's country) 출국 (departing the country)

Grammar to Know

-(으)러 가다/오다

친구를 배웅하러 공항에 가요.

-아/어 주다 (Favor)

제가 문 앞까지 배웅해 줄게요.

-아/어 드리다 (Honorific Favor)

할머니를 배웅해 드렸어요.

-까지 (Destination)

집 앞까지 배웅했어요.

-는 길에 (On the way)

배웅하러 가는 길에 꽃을 샀어요.

Examples by Level

친구를 배웅해요.

I see my friend off.

Present tense, polite form.

엄마를 배웅했어요.

I saw my mom off.

Past tense.

누구를 배웅해요?

Who are you seeing off?

Interrogative form.

집에서 배웅해요.

I see them off at home.

Locative particle -에서.

배웅해 주세요.

Please see me off.

Request form -해 주세요.

동생을 배웅해요.

I see my younger sibling off.

Direct object -을.

안 배웅해요?

Aren't you seeing them off?

Negative form with 안.

배웅하고 싶어요.

I want to see them off.

Desire form -고 싶다.

역까지 친구를 배웅하러 가요.

I am going to the station to see my friend off.

Purpose form -(으)러 가다.

공항까지 배웅해 줄게요.

I will see you off to the airport.

Future/Helpful intent -해 줄게요.

선생님을 배웅해 드렸어요.

I saw the teacher off (honorific).

Honorific past tense -해 드렸다.

버스가 올 때까지 배웅했어요.

I saw them off until the bus came.

Temporal clause -을 때까지.

문 앞까지 배웅해 주세요.

Please see me off to the door.

Polite request with destination.

배웅하러 나갔어요.

I went out to see them off.

Directional verb 나갔다.

혼자 배웅할 수 있어요.

I can see them off by myself.

Ability form -을 수 있다.

누가 배웅하러 와요?

Who is coming to see you off?

Interrogative with purpose.

친구가 떠날 때 배웅하면서 울었어요.

I cried while seeing my friend off as they left.

Simultaneous action -(으)면서.

비가 많이 와서 역까지만 배웅했어요.

Because it rained a lot, I only saw them off to the station.

Causal connector -아서/어서.

배웅해 주러 와 줘서 고마워요.

Thank you for coming to see me off.

Double auxiliary -해 주러 오다.

가족들이 모두 공항에 배웅하러 나왔어요.

The whole family came out to the airport to see them off.

Subject plural marker -들.

손님이 가실 때는 문밖까지 배웅해야 해요.

When a guest leaves, you must see them off outside the door.

Obligation form -해야 하다.

배웅하는 길에 맛있는 것을 먹었어요.

On the way to see them off, I ate something delicious.

Noun modifying form -는 길에.

어제는 늦어서 배웅을 못 했어요.

Yesterday I was late, so I couldn't see them off.

Inability with 못.

배웅하러 갈 시간이 없어요.

I don't have time to go see them off.

Time to do something -을 시간.

멀리 떠나는 친구를 배웅하는 마음이 무거워요.

My heart is heavy as I see off a friend going far away.

Descriptive noun phrase.

공항은 항상 배웅하는 사람들로 붐벼요.

The airport is always crowded with people seeing others off.

Passive-like state 붐비다.

그는 마지막까지 나를 배웅해 주겠다고 약속했어요.

He promised that he would see me off until the very end.

Reported speech -겠다고 약속하다.

배웅하러 나온 김에 장도 보고 갈게요.

Since I came out to see you off, I'll do some grocery shopping too.

Taking advantage of an opportunity -ㄴ 김에.

바쁘신데 배웅까지 해 주셔서 정말 감사합니다.

Thank you so much for even seeing me off when you're busy.

Honorific with contrast -ㄴ데.

배웅하는 뒷모습을 보며 눈물을 닦았어요.

I wiped my tears while watching the back of the person seeing me off.

Watching a 'back view' 뒷모습.

부모님께서는 제가 유학 갈 때 눈물로 배웅해 주셨어요.

My parents saw me off with tears when I went to study abroad.

Adverbial phrase 'with tears'.

배웅을 마치고 돌아오는 길에 공허함을 느꼈어요.

I felt a sense of emptiness on the way back after finishing the seeing-off.

Noun form 배웅 as object of 마치다.

전통적으로 한국에서는 손님을 대문 밖까지 배웅하는 것이 미덕입니다.

Traditionally in Korea, it is a virtue to see a guest off outside the main gate.

Formal explanatory style.

그녀는 기차가 시야에서 사라질 때까지 플랫폼에 서서 배웅했다.

She stood on the platform and saw them off until the train disappeared from view.

Literary narrative style.

대통령은 국빈을 전용기 트랩 앞까지 직접 배웅하며 예우를 갖췄다.

The President showed courtesy by personally seeing the state guest off to the steps of the private jet.

High-level vocabulary (국빈, 예우).

배웅하는 이와 떠나는 이의 마음이 교차하는 곳이 바로 역이다.

The station is precisely the place where the hearts of the one seeing off and the one leaving cross.

Philosophical/Reflective structure.

서로의 안녕을 빌며 짧은 배웅을 마쳤다.

They finished the brief seeing-off while wishing for each other's well-being.

Adverbial clause -(으)며.

아들의 입대를 배웅하러 온 부모님들의 얼굴에는 만감이 교차했다.

A thousand emotions crossed the faces of parents who came to see their sons off for military enlistment.

Idiomatic expression 만감이 교차하다.

배웅이라는 행위 속에는 다시 만날 날을 기약하는 의미가 담겨 있다.

Within the act of seeing someone off, there is the meaning of promising a day to meet again.

Abstract noun usage.

각박한 현대 사회에서 문 앞까지의 배웅조차 생략되는 경우가 많다.

In today's harsh modern society, even seeing someone off to the door is often omitted.

Social commentary with -조차.

석별의 정을 나누며 끝내 배웅의 발길을 돌리지 못했다.

Sharing the sorrow of parting, they ultimately could not turn their steps away from the seeing-off.

Classical/Archaic vocabulary (석별, 발길을 돌리다).

배웅은 단순한 작별을 넘어선, 타인에 대한 지극한 정성의 발현이다.

Seeing someone off is an expression of extreme sincerity toward others, moving beyond a simple farewell.

Complex philosophical definition.

나루터에서 배를 타고 떠나는 임을 배웅하던 옛 여인들의 애환이 서려 있다.

The joys and sorrows of ancient women seeing off their loved ones departing by boat are infused in the ferry site.

Historical/Cultural narrative.

그는 못내 아쉬운 듯 먼발치에서나마 친구의 뒷모습을 배웅하고 있었다.

As if unable to let go, he was seeing off his friend's retreating figure, even if only from a distance.

Nuanced adverbs (못내, 먼발치에서나마).

삶이라는 긴 여정에서 우리는 수많은 만남과 배웅을 반복하며 살아간다.

In the long journey called life, we live repeating countless meetings and seeings-off.

Metaphorical extension.

배웅의 미학은 떠나는 자의 뒷모습을 온전히 지켜봐 주는 데에 있다.

The aesthetics of seeing someone off lie in fully watching over the departing person's back.

Nominalization and focus structure.

형식적인 배웅보다는 진심 어린 눈빛 한 번이 더 큰 위로가 되기도 한다.

Sometimes a sincere look is a greater comfort than a formal seeing-off.

Comparative structure with -보다는.

공항의 배웅 데스크는 매일같이 수만 가지의 사연을 묵묵히 지켜본다.

The airport's seeing-off desks silently witness tens of thousands of stories every day.

Personification of a location.

Common Collocations

공항까지 배웅하다

문 앞까지 배웅하다

역까지 배웅하다

직접 배웅하다

끝까지 배웅하다

배웅하러 나가다

배웅을 받다

눈물로 배웅하다

정성껏 배웅하다

배웅 나가는 길

Common Phrases

배웅해 줄게요

— I will see you off (helpful intent).

집 앞까지 배웅해 줄게요.

배웅하러 가요

— I'm going to see someone off.

지금 친구 배웅하러 공항에 가요.

배웅해 주셔서 감사합니다

— Thank you for seeing me off (polite).

바쁘신데 배웅해 주셔서 감사합니다.

배웅 안 해도 돼요

— You don't have to see me off.

추우니까 배웅 안 해도 돼요. 들어가세요.

어디까지 배웅할까요?

— How far should I see you off?

어디까지 배웅할까요? 버스 정류장까지요?

배웅객이 많다

— There are many people seeing others off.

명절이라 역에 배웅객이 많네요.

배웅하는 마음

— The feeling of seeing someone off.

배웅하는 마음이 슬프네요.

마지막 배웅

— The final seeing-off (often used for funerals or long departures).

할아버지의 마지막 배웅을 하러 왔어요.

배웅하러 나온 가족

— Family who came out to see someone off.

공항에는 배웅하러 나온 가족들이 많았다.

배웅 인사를 나누다

— To exchange farewell greetings during a seeing-off.

우리는 짧게 배웅 인사를 나누고 헤어졌다.

Often Confused With

배웅하다 vs 마중하다

This means meeting someone who is arriving, while 배웅하다 is for someone leaving.

배웅하다 vs 보내다

This is a general term for 'sending,' whereas 배웅하다 implies physically walking with them.

배웅하다 vs 환송하다

This often implies a social event or party for a departure, while 배웅하다 is the physical act of escorting.

Idioms & Expressions

"발길을 떼지 못하다"

— To be unable to leave because of lingering feelings during a seeing-off.

배웅하는 친구를 두고 발길을 떼지 못했다.

Literary

"눈물로 배웅하다"

— To see someone off while crying, showing deep sadness.

어머니는 군대 가는 아들을 눈물로 배웅했다.

Emotional

"먼발치에서 배웅하다"

— To see someone off from a distance without them knowing.

그는 그녀가 떠나는 것을 먼발치에서 배웅했다.

Literary

"뒷모습을 지켜보다"

— To watch someone's back as they leave (the core act of 배웅).

아버지는 딸의 뒷모습을 끝까지 지켜보며 배웅하셨다.

Neutral

"손을 흔들며 배웅하다"

— To see someone off while waving hands.

아이들은 선생님을 손을 흔들며 배웅했다.

Neutral

"마중은 못 가도 배웅은 간다"

— Even if one can't meet an arrival, one should at least see off a departure (emphasizing farewell).

바빠서 마중은 못 갔지만 배웅은 꼭 가야지.

Colloquial

"가는 길을 배웅하다"

— To see someone off on their way.

먼 길 가는 친구를 배웅하러 나왔다.

Neutral

"문턱까지 배웅하다"

— To see someone off exactly to the threshold/door.

손님을 문턱까지 배웅하는 것이 기본이다.

Neutral

"마지막 가는 길을 배웅하다"

— To attend a funeral (metaphorical seeing off of life).

그의 마지막 가는 길을 배웅하러 많은 이들이 모였다.

Formal

"배웅의 미덕"

— The virtue of seeing someone off.

한국인의 배웅의 미덕을 잊지 마세요.

Formal

Easily Confused

배웅하다 vs 마중하다

Both involve going to a specific place (airport/station) for a person.

Direction: 마중 is 'Welcome/Arrival', 배웅 is 'Farewell/Departure'.

공항에 친구를 마중 나갔어요 (met arriving friend) vs. 공항에 친구를 배웅하러 갔어요 (saw off departing friend).

배웅하다 vs 인사하다

Both occur at the end of a visit.

인사하다 is the verbal greeting; 배웅하다 is the physical escorting.

작별 인사를 하고 배웅을 시작했다.

배웅하다 vs 전송하다

Both mean seeing someone off.

전송하다 is formal/official; 배웅하다 is natural/everyday.

기자들이 대통령의 전송을 지켜보았다.

배웅하다 vs 데려다주다

Both involve taking someone somewhere.

데려다주다 is taking someone to their destination; 배웅하다 is taking someone to their departure point.

친구를 집에 데려다주다 (to their house) vs. 친구를 역까지 배웅하다 (to the station).

배웅하다 vs 동행하다

Both involve walking together.

동행하다 is just traveling together; 배웅하다 is walking with someone specifically because they are leaving.

우리는 산책길을 동행했다.

Sentence Patterns

[Person]을/를 배웅해요.

친구를 배웅해요.

[Location]까지 [Person]을/를 배웅해요.

역까지 동생을 배웅해요.

[Person]을/를 배웅하러 가요.

친구를 배웅하러 가요.

[Person]을/를 배웅해 줄게요.

내가 공항까지 배웅해 줄게요.

[Elder]를 배웅해 드려요.

할아버지를 배웅해 드려요.

[Person]을/를 배웅하는 길에 [Action].

친구를 배웅하는 길에 커피를 마셨어요.

[Person]을/를 [Manner]로 배웅하다.

그를 따뜻한 미소로 배웅했다.

[Action]하며 [Person]을/를 배웅하다.

손을 흔들며 떠나는 친구를 배웅했다.

Word Family

Nouns

배웅 The act of seeing someone off.

배웅객 A person who sees someone off (e.g., at an airport).

Verbs

배웅하다 To see someone off.

배웅해 주다 To see someone off (as a favor).

배웅해 드리다 To see someone off (honorific).

마중하다 (to meet)

작별 (farewell)

안녕 (peace/well-being)

전송 (sending off)

동행 (accompanying)

How to Use It

frequency

High in daily life, especially regarding hospitality and travel.

Common Mistakes

Using 배웅하다 when picking someone up. → 마중하다
If the person is arriving, use 마중하다. 배웅하다 is only for people leaving.
Using the particle -에 for destination. → 공항까지 배웅하다
While -에 is for 'to', -까지 (until) is much more natural with 배웅하다.
Using plain 배웅하다 for your grandmother. → 배웅해 드리다
Always use the humble/honorific auxiliary -드리다 for elders.
Saying '배웅해요' when you are the one leaving. → 인사해요 / 갑니다
You cannot 'see yourself off.' Only the person staying behind can '배웅' the person leaving.
Confusing 배웅하다 with 데려다주다. → 데려다주다 (to take home)
배웅하다 is to the departure point; 데려다주다 is all the way to their final destination (like their home).

Tips

The Doorstep Rule

In Korea, always stand up and walk your guest to the door. This physical '배웅' is a sign of respect.

Use -까지

Pair '배웅하다' with '-까지' to specify the endpoint of your accompaniment.

Honorifics Matter

Use '배웅해 드리다' for parents, teachers, and bosses.

B vs M

Remember B is for Bye (배웅) and M is for Meet (마중).

Softening the Farewell

Say '문 앞까지 배웅해 줄게요' to make the end of a meeting feel warmer.

Context Clues

If you hear '공항' and '배웅', someone is definitely leaving for a trip.

Adding Emotion

Use '아쉽게' (regretfully) with '배웅하다' to show you are sad to see them go.

Taxi Etiquette

If you see a friend off to a taxi, stay until the taxi actually starts moving.

Airport Signs

Look for '배웅하는 곳' signs at Incheon Airport to find the departure meeting points.

Pure Korean

Appreciate that this is a native word, reflecting ancient Korean values of hospitality.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Bae' as 'Bye' and 'Ung' as 'Along'. You go 'Bye-Along' with someone. Or, 'Bae' is your 'Bae' (sweetheart) and you want to walk with them until they leave.

Visual Association

Visualize yourself standing at an airport gate, waving your hand until the person disappears into the security line. That entire action is '배웅하다'.

Word Web

Airport Station Goodbye Escort Hospitality Door Waving Jeong

Challenge

Try to use '배웅하다' next time you walk a friend to their car. Say, '제가 차까지 배웅해 드릴게요!'

Word Origin

Native Korean word. Derived from the noun '배웅' combined with the verb-forming suffix '하다'.

Original meaning: The root '배웅' is thought to be related to the idea of 'sending' or 'following behind' someone as they leave.

Koreanic

Cultural Context

Be careful to use honorifics (배웅해 드리다) for elders, or it might seem disrespectful despite your good intentions.

In English-speaking cultures, 'seeing someone off' is often reserved for long trips. In Korea, it is used even for short visits to someone's home.

Commonly seen in K-Drama 'Departure' scenes. Featured in poems about parting (이별). Airport scenes in movies like 'Ode to My Father'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Airport

게이트 앞까지 배웅할게요.
배웅하러 와 줘서 고마워요.
배웅객이 너무 많아요.
조심히 가세요.

At Home

엘리베이터 앞까지 배웅할게요.
문 앞까지 배웅해 드릴게요.
멀리 못 나가서 죄송해요.
다음에 또 오세요.

At a Restaurant/Party

택시 타는 것까지 배웅할게요.
오늘 즐거웠어요.
배웅해 주셔서 감사합니다.
잘 가요!

Military Enlistment

훈련소 앞까지 배웅했어요.
눈물로 배웅했어요.
건강하게 잘 다녀와.
기다릴게.

Business Meeting

차 있는 곳까지 배웅해 드리겠습니다.
조심히 들어가십시오.
오늘 시간 내주셔서 감사합니다.
엘리베이터 잡아드릴게요.

Conversation Starters

"공항에 친구 배웅하러 가본 적 있어요?"

"손님이 오시면 보통 어디까지 배웅해 주세요?"

"누군가를 배웅할 때 가장 슬펐던 적이 언제예요?"

"외국에서는 배웅하는 문화가 한국이랑 어떻게 달라요?"

"부모님을 역까지 배웅해 드린 적이 있나요?"

Journal Prompts

오늘 친구를 배웅하면서 느꼈던 감정에 대해 써 보세요.

한국의 배웅 문화에 대해 어떻게 생각하는지 적어 보세요.

공항에서 누군가를 배웅했던 기억을 자세히 묘사해 보세요.

나를 배웅해 준 사람에게 고마운 마음을 담아 편지를 써 보세요.

배웅과 마중 중 어떤 것이 더 감동적인지 자신의 의견을 써 보세요.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, you can use it metaphorically if your pet 'sees you off' at the door when you leave for work, but it's primarily used for humans.

Yes, '배웅' is the noun form. You can say '배웅을 나가다' (to go out for a seeing-off) or '배웅을 받다' (to be seen off).

No, you can use it for any distance, even just walking someone to the elevator or the front gate of your house.

The direct opposite is '마중하다', which means to go out and meet someone who is arriving.

You should say '배웅해 주셔서 감사합니다' (Polite) or '배웅해 줘서 고마워' (Casual).

Yes, it is very common. Walking a client to the elevator or their car is a standard '배웅' gesture in Korean business culture.

No. '배웅하다' implies you are staying behind or returning after they depart. If you are both going, use '함께 가다' or '동행하다'.

'배웅' is more common and warm. '전송' is formal, often used in news or for very high-ranking officials.

Absolutely. It is most commonly used for meaningful departures like long trips or moving away.

Between close friends, it's okay, but with guests or elders, it's considered polite to at least see them to the door.