Greeting parents respectfully is a fundamental aspect of Korean culture, reflecting deep-rooted values of filial piety and respect for elders. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural insights for properly greeting parents, whether they are your own, your partner’s, or a friend’s.
Core Expression
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Expression: 부모님께 인사드리기
Pronunciation: bu-mo-nim-kke in-sa-deu-ri-gi
Meaning: Greeting parents (The act of formally greeting parents)
Basic Greetings for Parents
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Expression: 안녕하세요, 아버님/아빠.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, a-beo-nim/a-ppa.
Meaning: Hello, Father. (아버님 is more formal, 아빠 is more familiar) -
Expression: 안녕하세요, 어머님/엄마.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, eo-meo-nim/eom-ma.
Meaning: Hello, Mother. (어머님 is more formal, 엄마 is more familiar) -
Expression: 다녀왔습니다.
Pronunciation: da-nyeo-wat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m home. / I’ve returned. (Used when returning home) -
Expression: 다녀오겠습니다.
Pronunciation: da-nyeo-o-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I’ll be back. / I’m leaving now. (Used when leaving the house) -
Expression: 잘 지내셨어요?
Pronunciation: jal ji-nae-syeot-seo-yo?
Meaning: Have you been well? -
Expression: 식사하셨어요?
Pronunciation: sik-sa-ha-syeot-seo-yo?
Meaning: Have you eaten? (Common polite inquiry, shows care) -
Expression: 안녕히 주무셨어요?
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-hi ju-mu-syeot-seo-yo?
Meaning: Did you sleep well? (Morning greeting) -
Expression: 안녕히 주무세요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-hi ju-mu-se-yo.
Meaning: Sleep well. / Good night. (Evening farewell) -
Expression: 먼저 들어가겠습니다.
Pronunciation: meon-jeo deu-reo-ga-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will go in first. (Polite phrase when entering before them) -
Expression: 조심히 들어가세요.
Pronunciation: jo-sim-hi deu-reo-ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Please go in safely. (Said when seeing them off) -
Expression: 다음에 또 뵙겠습니다.
Pronunciation: da-eum-e tto boep-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will see you again next time. (Formal farewell) -
Expression: 찾아뵙겠습니다.
Pronunciation: cha-ja-boep-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will come visit you. (Formal way to say you’ll visit)
Expressing Respect and Gratitude
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Expression: 항상 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: hang-sang gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you always. -
Expression: 늘 고맙습니다.
Pronunciation: neul go-map-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I am always grateful. -
Expression: 부모님 덕분입니다.
Pronunciation: bu-mo-nim deok-bun-im-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s thanks to you, parents. -
Expression: 걱정 끼쳐드려 죄송합니다.
Pronunciation: geok-jeong kki-cheo-deu-ryeo joe-song-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m sorry for worrying you. -
Expression: 신경 써 주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: sin-gyeong sseo ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for your consideration/care. -
Expression: 오래오래 건강하세요.
Pronunciation: o-rae-o-rae geon-gang-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Please stay healthy for a long, long time. -
Expression: 존경합니다.
Pronunciation: jon-gyeong-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I respect you. -
Expression: 말씀 명심하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: mal-sseum myeong-sim-ha-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will take your words to heart. -
Expression: 많이 배웠습니다.
Pronunciation: ma-ni bae-wot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I have learned a lot (from you). -
Expression: 키워주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: ki-wo-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for raising me.
Asking About Well-being
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Expression: 건강은 어떠세요?
Pronunciation: geon-gang-eun eo-tteo-se-yo?
Meaning: How is your health? -
Expression: 별일 없으시죠?
Pronunciation: byeol-il eop-seu-si-jyo?
Meaning: Nothing particular is wrong, right? / Everything is okay, right? -
Expression: 요즘 어떻게 지내세요?
Pronunciation: yo-jeum eo-tteo-ke ji-nae-se-yo?
Meaning: How have you been lately? -
Expression: 피곤하지 않으세요?
Pronunciation: pi-gon-ha-ji a-neu-se-yo?
Meaning: Aren’t you tired? -
Expression: 어디 불편하신 데는 없으시고요?
Pronunciation: eo-di bul-pyeon-ha-sin de-neun eop-seu-si-go-yo?
Meaning: Is there anywhere you feel uncomfortable/pain? -
Expression: 잘 주무셨어요?
Pronunciation: jal ju-mu-syeot-seo-yo?
Meaning: Did you sleep well? -
Expression: 입맛은 좀 어떠세요?
Pronunciation: im-mat-eun jom eo-tteo-se-yo?
Meaning: How is your appetite? -
Expression: 기분은 괜찮으세요?
Pronunciation: gi-bun-eun gwaen-chan-eu-se-yo?
Meaning: Are you feeling okay? / How is your mood? -
Expression: 무리하지 마세요.
Pronunciation: mu-ri-ha-ji ma-se-yo.
Meaning: Please don’t overwork yourself. -
Expression: 제가 도울 일은 없을까요?
Pronunciation: je-ga do-ul il-eun eop-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Is there anything I can help you with?
Cultural Tips
Bowing: When greeting parents or elders, especially for the first time or on formal occasions like holidays, a deep bow (절 – jeol) or a respectful nod/bow from the waist is customary. The depth of the bow signifies the level of respect.
Table Of Content
Using Honorifics (존댓말 – Jondaenmal): Always use formal language (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal) when addressing parents, especially parents-in-law or the parents of friends. This includes using honorific verb endings like -(으)세요 (-eu-se-yo) and -습니다/ㅂ니다 (-seum-ni-da/-m-ni-da), and specific honorific vocabulary (e.g., 진지 – jin-ji for meal, 주무시다 – ju-mu-si-da for sleep).
Addressing Parents: Use respectful titles like 아버님 (a-beo-nim – father, formal) and 어머님 (eo-meo-nim – mother, formal). While your own parents might allow more casual terms like 아빠 (a-ppa) and 엄마 (eom-ma), it’s safer to start formal, especially with in-laws or others’ parents. Avoid using their given names.
Gift Giving: When visiting parents, especially after a long time or during holidays like Chuseok or Seollal, it’s customary to bring a gift. Popular gifts include health foods, fruits, high-quality toiletries, or cash in a nice envelope. The act of giving shows thoughtfulness and respect.
Receiving Items: When giving or receiving items (like gifts or even drinks) to/from parents or elders, use two hands to show respect. If using one hand is unavoidable, support your right forearm with your left hand.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A son (Minjun) visits his parents’ home for the weekend.
Characters:
- A: 민준 (Minjun – Son)
- B: 어머니 (Eomeoni – Mother)
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Expression: A: 어머니, 저 왔어요. 다녀왔습니다!
Pronunciation: A: eo-meo-ni, jeo wa-sseo-yo. da-nyeo-wat-seum-ni-da!
Meaning: A: Mother, I’m here. I’m home! -
Expression: B: 어서 와라, 아들. 오는 길 힘들지 않았어?
Pronunciation: B: eo-seo wa-ra, a-deul. o-neun gil him-deul-ji a-na-sseo?
Meaning: B: Welcome, son. Was the journey difficult? -
Expression: A: 아니요, 괜찮았어요. 아버지는 어디 계세요?
Pronunciation: A: a-ni-yo, gwaen-chan-a-sseo-yo. a-beo-ji-neun eo-di gye-se-yo?
Meaning: A: No, it was fine. Where is Father? -
Expression: B: 잠깐 산책 나가셨어. 곧 오실 거야. 그동안 잘 지냈니?
Pronunciation: B: jam-kkan san-chaek na-ga-syeot-seo. got o-sil geo-ya. geu-dong-an jal ji-naen-ni?
Meaning: B: He went out for a short walk. He’ll be back soon. Have you been well? -
Expression: A: 네, 덕분에요. 어머니는 건강 괜찮으세요?
Pronunciation: A: ne, deok-bun-e-yo. eo-meo-ni-neun geon-gang gwaen-chan-eu-se-yo?
Meaning: A: Yes, thanks to you (and Father). Is your health okay, Mother? -
Expression: B: 그럼, 괜찮고 말고. 얼른 들어와서 밥 먹자. 너 좋아하는 갈비찜 해놨어.
Pronunciation: B: geu-reom, gwaen-chan-go mal-go. eol-leun deu-reo-wa-seo bap meok-ja. neo jo-a-ha-neun gal-bi-jjim hae-nwa-sseo.
Meaning: B: Of course, I’m fine. Come in quickly and let’s eat. I made Galbijjim (braised short ribs) that you like. -
Expression: A: 와, 정말요? 감사합니다, 어머니!
Pronunciation: A: wa, jeong-mal-lyo? gam-sa-ham-ni-da, eo-meo-ni!
Meaning: A: Wow, really? Thank you, Mother!
Practice Tips
Greeting parents respectfully is crucial in Korean culture! Start by practicing the basic greetings like 안녕하세요 (an-nyeong-ha-se-yo) and 다녀왔습니다 (da-nyeo-wat-seum-ni-da) until they feel natural~ Remember to always use formal language (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal) unless your parents explicitly tell you otherwise.
Try role-playing! Imagine visiting your parents or your partner’s parents. Practice asking about their well-being with phrases like 잘 지내셨어요? (jal ji-nae-syeot-seo-yo?) and 건강은 어떠세요? (geon-gang-eun eo-tteo-se-yo?). Don’t forget to express gratitude often using 감사합니다 (gam-sa-ham-ni-da) or 고맙습니다 (go-map-seum-ni-da). Pay attention to the cultural tips, especially bowing and using two hands. Consistent practice will make these interactions smooth and respectful! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
