인사하다.
Insahada.
Greet someone
Phrase in 30 Seconds
The essential Korean verb for greeting, encompassing bowing, saying hello, or introducing yourself in any social setting.
- Means: To greet or welcome someone using words or physical gestures like bowing.
- Used in: Meeting friends, entering an office, or paying respects to elders.
- Don't confuse: It's not just 'hello'; it covers the entire act of acknowledging someone.
Explanation at your level:
意思
To welcome someone with words or gestures.
文化背景
Bowing is the most critical part of 'insa'. The person of lower status bows first and lower. You should not stop bowing until the other person has finished their bow. When greeting and exchanging business cards (myeong-ham), you should give and receive with two hands. This is considered part of the 'insa' process. Younger Koreans sometimes use 'insa' (인사) to mean 'introduction' on social media, like '인사드려요' when posting a first photo. During 'Jesa' (ancestral rites), 'insa' takes the form of two and a half deep bows to the deceased ancestors.
The 'Two-Hand' Rule
When shaking hands during an 'insa', use your right hand and place your left hand under your right elbow or on your chest to show respect.
Don't Bow Too Fast
A very quick, jerky bow can seem insincere. Move smoothly and hold the bottom of the bow for a split second.
意思
To welcome someone with words or gestures.
The 'Two-Hand' Rule
When shaking hands during an 'insa', use your right hand and place your left hand under your right elbow or on your chest to show respect.
Don't Bow Too Fast
A very quick, jerky bow can seem insincere. Move smoothly and hold the bottom of the bow for a split second.
The Elevator Insa
In apartment buildings, it's becoming common to greet neighbors in the elevator. A simple '안녕하세요' and a nod go a long way.
Eye Contact
Avoid intense eye contact while bowing. It's more polite to look at the other person's chest or the floor near their feet.
自我测试
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '인사하다' or '인사드리다'.
어제 처음으로 여자친구의 부모님을 만나서 ____.
When meeting a girlfriend's parents, you must use the honorific '인사드리다' in the polite past tense.
Which situation is NOT appropriate for '인사하다'?
다음 중 '인사하다'를 쓰기에 어색한 상황은?
Greeting requires another person; you don't 'insa' while reading alone.
Complete the dialogue.
가: 민수 씨, 저분이 우리 사장님이세요. 나: 아, 그래요? 가서 ____.
The speaker is expressing their intention to go and greet the boss in a polite way.
Match the greeting type to the situation.
1. 설날 (New Year) 2. 친구 (Friend) 3. 면접 (Interview)
Sebae is for New Year, 'Annyeong' is for friends, and 'Annyeong-hasimnikka' is for interviews.
🎉 得分： /4
视觉学习工具
Bowing Angles in {인사|人事}하다
常见问题
10 个问题Usually, yes, but the depth changes. A small nod is enough for someone you've already seen that day.
In casual settings with young people, yes. But in formal settings, stick to Korean.
If an elder enters, you should stand up to perform your 'insa'.
Only for friends or people younger than you. Otherwise, it's rude.
It refers to the quality of being good at greeting others. '인사성이 밝다' is a great compliment.
It's a way of showing care and concern, functioning as a warm 'insa'.
Koreans might say '강아지한테 인사해~' to a child, but it's mostly playful.
It specifically means a 'farewell greeting' or saying goodbye.
You can bow once to the center or do a general '안녕하세요' to everyone.
Yes, in emails you might start with '인사드립니다' (I am greeting you).
相关表达
인사말
specialized formGreeting words / Opening remarks
인사성
builds onOne's habit of greeting others
인사드리다
specialized formTo offer a greeting (honorific)
안부
similarAsking after someone's well-being
통성명
similarExchanging names
在哪里用
Meeting a teacher
Student: 선생님, 안녕하세요! (bows)
Teacher: 어, 민수 왔구나. 안녕.
Entering a convenience store
Staff: 어서 오세요!
Customer: (Nods slightly) 안녕하세요.
Leaving a party
Friend A: 나 이제 갈게. 다들 안녕!
Friend B: 잘 가! 다음에 또 봐.
Job Interview
Applicant: 안녕하십니까? 지원자 김철수입니다. (45-degree bow)
Interviewer: 네, 앉으세요.
New Year's Day
Child: 새해 복 많이 받으세요! (Deep bow on floor)
Grandmother: 오냐, 우리 강아지. 여기 세뱃돈이다.
First day at work
Manager: 자, 새로 온 신입 사원입니다. 인사하세요.
New Hire: 반갑습니다! 열심히 하겠습니다!
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'In-Sa' as 'In-Side'. To get 'inside' a Korean social circle, you must start with a greeting.
Visual Association
Imagine a person bending their body into the shape of the letter 'L' (for a bow) while saying 'Annyeong'. The physical movement is the 'insa'.
Rhyme
Insa-hada, don't be harder, greet your neighbor and your father!
Story
A traveler arrived in Seoul and didn't know anyone. He decided to 'insa-hada' to everyone he met. By the end of the day, he had 10 new friends because in Korea, a good greeting opens every door.
Word Web
挑战
Try to 'insa-hada' to three different people today using different levels of formality (a friend, a shopkeeper, and an elder).
In Other Languages
Saludar
Korean requires different verbs (하다 vs 드리다) based on hierarchy.
Saluer
Korean 'insa' is more frequently used to describe the *duty* of greeting.
Grüßen
Korean 'insa' is more tied to physical posture (bowing).
挨拶する (Aisatsu suru)
The specific phrases used during the 'insa' differ (e.g., Ohayou vs Annyeong).
التحية (Al-tahiyya)
Arabic greetings often involve specific religious formulas.
打招呼 (Dǎzhāohu)
Korean uses the Hanja {人事} specifically for the act of greeting.
인사드리다 (Insadreerida)
It is the humble form used to show respect.
Cumprimentar
Korean 'insa' avoids touch; Portuguese 'cumprimentar' often includes it.
Easily Confused
Learners might think it's a 'greeting team'.
In a company, 'insa' almost always means HR (Human Resources).
Both involve meeting new people.
'Sogae' is to introduce a third party or a specific thing; 'Insa' is the act of greeting them.
常见问题 (10)
Usually, yes, but the depth changes. A small nod is enough for someone you've already seen that day.
In casual settings with young people, yes. But in formal settings, stick to Korean.
If an elder enters, you should stand up to perform your 'insa'.
Only for friends or people younger than you. Otherwise, it's rude.
It refers to the quality of being good at greeting others. '인사성이 밝다' is a great compliment.
It's a way of showing care and concern, functioning as a warm 'insa'.
Koreans might say '강아지한테 인사해~' to a child, but it's mostly playful.
It specifically means a 'farewell greeting' or saying goodbye.
You can bow once to the center or do a general '안녕하세요' to everyone.
Yes, in emails you might start with '인사드립니다' (I am greeting you).
