Understanding and practicing proper etiquette is crucial when interacting within Korean society, showing respect and building positive relationships. This guide covers essential Korean expressions and cultural insights related to etiquette (예절 – yejeol), helping you navigate social situations with confidence and politeness.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
This is the fundamental phrase for expressing the act of learning about Korean customs and manners.
- Expression: 한국 예절 배우기
Pronunciation: Hanguk yejeol baeugi
Meaning: Learning Korean etiquette
Basic Etiquette Vocabulary
Familiarize yourself with these fundamental terms related to Korean manners and politeness levels.
- Expression: 예절
Pronunciation: yejeol
Meaning: Etiquette, manners - Expression: 존댓말
Pronunciation: jondaetmal
Meaning: Formal language (used with elders, superiors, strangers) - Expression: 반말
Pronunciation: banmal
Meaning: Informal language (used with close friends, younger people) - Expression: 높임말
Pronunciation: nopimmal
Meaning: Honorific language (another term for polite/formal speech) - Expression: 인사
Pronunciation: insa
Meaning: Greeting, bow - Expression: 감사합니다
Pronunciation: gamsahamnida
Meaning: Thank you (formal) - Expression: 고맙습니다
Pronunciation: gomapseumnida
Meaning: Thank you (formal, slightly softer than 감사합니다) - Expression: 죄송합니다
Pronunciation: joesonghamnida
Meaning: I am sorry (formal) - Expression: 미안합니다
Pronunciation: mianhamnida
Meaning: I am sorry (formal, slightly softer than 죄송합니다) - Expression: 실례합니다
Pronunciation: sillyehamnida
Meaning: Excuse me (for interrupting, getting attention, squeezing past) - Expression: 잠시만요
Pronunciation: jamsimanyo
Meaning: Just a moment / Excuse me (often used when passing through a crowd) - Expression: 괜찮습니다
Pronunciation: gwaenchanseumnida
Meaning: It’s okay / No, thank you (formal)
Dining Etiquette Phrases
Korean dining involves specific customs and phrases showing respect, especially towards elders.
- Expression: 잘 먹겠습니다
Pronunciation: jal meokgetseumnida
Meaning: I will eat well (said before starting a meal) - Expression: 잘 먹었습니다
Pronunciation: jal meogeotseumnida
Meaning: I ate well (said after finishing a meal) - Expression: 맛있게 드세요
Pronunciation: masitge deuseyo
Meaning: Enjoy your meal (said to others) - Expression: 먼저 드세요
Pronunciation: meonjeo deuseyo
Meaning: Please eat first (said to elders or guests) - Expression: 많이 드세요
Pronunciation: mani deuseyo
Meaning: Please eat a lot - Expression: 물 좀 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: mul jom jusigesseoyo?
Meaning: Could you please give me some water? - Expression: 이거 더 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: igeo deo jusigesseoyo?
Meaning: Could I please have more of this? - Expression: 건배!
Pronunciation: geonbae!
Meaning: Cheers! - Expression: 술 한 잔 받으세요
Pronunciation: sul han jan badeuseyo
Meaning: Please accept a drink (when offering alcohol) - Expression: 제가 따르겠습니다
Pronunciation: jega ttareugetseumnida
Meaning: I will pour (the drink) - Expression: 어른 앞에서 술을 마실 때는 고개를 돌리고 마셔야 해요.
Pronunciation: eoreun apeseo sureul masil ttaeneun gogaereul dolligo masyeoya haeyo.
Meaning: When drinking alcohol in front of elders, you should turn your head. - Expression: 밥그릇을 들고 먹지 마세요.
Pronunciation: bapgeureuseul deulgo meokji maseyo.
Meaning: Don’t lift your rice bowl while eating.
Greeting and Social Interaction Phrases
Proper greetings and interactions are key to making a good impression in Korea.
- Expression: 안녕하세요
Pronunciation: annyeonghaseyo
Meaning: Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon / Good evening (formal) - Expression: 안녕히 가세요
Pronunciation: annyeonghi gaseyo
Meaning: Goodbye (said to someone leaving, formal) - Expression: 안녕히 계세요
Pronunciation: annyeonghi gyeseyo
Meaning: Goodbye (said when you are leaving, formal) - Expression: 처음 뵙겠습니다
Pronunciation: cheoeum boepgetseumnida
Meaning: How do you do? (lit. I am seeing you for the first time; very formal) - Expression: 만나서 반갑습니다
Pronunciation: mannaseo bangapseumnida
Meaning: Nice to meet you (formal) - Expression: 제 이름은 [Name]입니다
Pronunciation: je ireumeun [Name]imnida
Meaning: My name is [Name] (formal) - Expression: 성함이 어떻게 되세요?
Pronunciation: seonghami eotteoke doeseyo?
Meaning: What is your name? (very formal/honorific) - Expression: 말씀 많이 들었습니다
Pronunciation: malsseum mani deureotseumnida
Meaning: I’ve heard a lot about you (formal, polite) - Expression: 다음에 또 뵙겠습니다
Pronunciation: daeume tto boepgetseumnida
Meaning: I’ll see you again next time (formal) - Expression: 도와주셔서 감사합니다
Pronunciation: dowajusyeoseo gamsahamnida
Meaning: Thank you for your help (formal) - Expression: 신세 많이 졌습니다
Pronunciation: sinse mani jyeotseumnida
Meaning: I’m greatly indebted to you (formal expression of gratitude) - Expression: 조심해서 가세요
Pronunciation: josimhaeseo gaseyo
Meaning: Go safely / Take care on your way (formal)
Gift Giving Etiquette Phrases
Giving and receiving gifts in Korea involves specific polite expressions.
- Expression: 선물입니다
Pronunciation: seonmurimnida
Meaning: This is a gift/present. - Expression: 약소하지만 받아주세요
Pronunciation: yaksohajiman badajuseyo
Meaning: It’s small/humble, but please accept it. - Expression: 별거 아니에요
Pronunciation: byeolgeo anieyo
Meaning: It’s nothing special. - Expression: 마음에 드셨으면 좋겠습니다
Pronunciation: maeume deusyeosseumyeon jokesseumnida
Meaning: I hope you like it. - Expression: 뭘 이런 걸 다 준비하셨어요
Pronunciation: mwol ireon geol da junbihasyeosseoyo
Meaning: Oh, why did you prepare something like this? / You shouldn’t have (polite initial refusal/expression of surprise) - Expression: 감사히 받겠습니다
Pronunciation: gamsahi batgetseumnida
Meaning: I will receive it gratefully. - Expression: 잘 쓰겠습니다
Pronunciation: jal sseugetseumnida
Meaning: I will use it well (said when receiving a practical gift). - Expression: 잘 먹겠습니다
Pronunciation: jal meokgetseumnida
Meaning: I will eat it well (said when receiving food/drink). - Expression: 초대해 주셔서 감사합니다. 이건 작은 선물이에요.
Pronunciation: chodaehae jusyeoseo gamsahamnida. igeon jageun seonmurieyo.
Meaning: Thank you for inviting me. This is a small gift. - Expression: 두 손으로 주고 받으세요.
Pronunciation: du soneuro jugo badeuseyo.
Meaning: Give and receive with two hands. - Expression: 포장은 보통 바로 뜯지 않아요.
Pronunciation: pojangeun botong baro tteutji anayo.
Meaning: Usually, the wrapping isn’t opened immediately. - Expression: 필요한 거였는데 고맙습니다.
Pronunciation: piryohan geoyeonneunde gomapseumnida.
Meaning: This was something I needed, thank you.
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding these cultural points will enhance your understanding and practice of Korean etiquette.
- Age and Hierarchy: Korean society places significant emphasis on age and social status. This is reflected in the language (존댓말 vs. 반말) and behavior. Always use formal language (존댓말) with elders, superiors, and people you don’t know well.
- Bowing (인사): Bowing is a fundamental part of greetings and showing respect. The depth and duration of the bow depend on the situation and the person you are greeting. A deeper, longer bow shows more respect.
- Dining Customs: Wait for elders to start eating first. Use spoons for rice and soup, and chopsticks for side dishes. Avoid lifting your rice bowl from the table. When pouring drinks for others (especially elders), use two hands or support your pouring arm with the other hand. When receiving a drink from an elder, hold the cup with two hands.
- Giving and Receiving: When giving or receiving items, especially gifts, money, or business cards, use two hands to show respect. If using one hand is unavoidable, support your forearm with the other hand.
- Addressing People: Avoid calling people older than you or in senior positions by their first name. Use their title (e.g., 선생님 – seonsaengnim/teacher, 사장님 – sajangnim/CEO, president) or their full name followed by 씨 (-ssi, polite marker) or 님 (-nim, more formal marker).
Real Conversation Example
This conversation demonstrates proper etiquette when a student meets a professor.
Situation: A foreign exchange student (Alex) meets their Korean professor (Professor Kim) for the first time in the professor’s office.
Roles: A: Alex (Student), B: Professor Kim
- Expression: A: (Knocks lightly) 실례합니다. 교수님 계십니까?
Pronunciation: sillyehamnida. gyosunim gyesimnikka?
Meaning: Excuse me. Professor, are you in? - Expression: B: 네, 들어오세요.
Pronunciation: ne, deureooseyo.
Meaning: Yes, come in. - Expression: A: (Enters and bows) 안녕하십니까, 교수님. 저는 이번 학기 교환학생으로 온 알렉스라고 합니다. 처음 뵙겠습니다.
Pronunciation: annyeonghasimnikka, gyosunim. jeoneun ibeon hakgi gyohwanhaksaengeuro on allekseurago hamnida. cheoeum boepgetseumnida.
Meaning: How do you do, Professor? I am Alex, an exchange student for this semester. How do you do? (lit. I am seeing you for the first time). - Expression: B: 아, 알렉스 씨. 만나서 반가워요. 앉으세요.
Pronunciation: a, allekseu ssi. mannaseo bangawoyo. anjeuseyo.
Meaning: Ah, Alex-ssi. Nice to meet you. Please sit down. - Expression: A: 네, 감사합니다. (Sits down)
Pronunciation: ne, gamsahamnida.
Meaning: Yes, thank you. - Expression: B: 한국 생활은 좀 어때요? 어려운 점은 없고요?
Pronunciation: hanguk saenghwareun jom eottaeyo? eoryeoun jeomeun eopgoyo?
Meaning: How is life in Korea? Are there any difficulties? - Expression: A: 아직은 모든 것이 새롭지만 재미있습니다. 특히 한국 예절을 배우는 것이 중요하다고 생각해서 노력하고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: ajigeun modeun geosi saeropjiman jaemiitseumnida. teuki hanguk yejeoreul baeuneun geosi jungyohadago saenggakaeseo noryeokago itseumnida.
Meaning: Everything is still new, but it’s interesting. I especially think learning Korean etiquette is important, so I am trying hard. - Expression: B: 그래요? 아주 좋은 자세네요. 궁금한 것이 있으면 언제든지 물어보세요.
Pronunciation: geuraeyo? aju joeun jaseneyo. gunggeumhan geosi isseumyeon eonjedeunji mureoboseyo.
Meaning: Is that so? That’s a very good attitude. If you have any questions, feel free to ask anytime. - Expression: A: 네, 정말 감사합니다, 교수님! 앞으로 잘 부탁드립니다. (Bows slightly when saying goodbye later)
Pronunciation: ne, jeongmal gamsahamnida, gyosunim! apeuro jal butakdeurimnida.
Meaning: Yes, thank you very much, Professor! Please take good care of me (expression asking for future favor/guidance).
Practice Tips
Mastering Korean etiquette takes time and observation~! Don’t worry too much about being perfect right away, but showing effort is greatly appreciated!
- Observe: Pay close attention to how Koreans interact with each other in various situations, especially regarding age and status.
- Use 존댓말: When in doubt, always use formal language (존댓말) and polite endings like -요 (-yo) or -ㅂ니다/습니다 (-mnida/seumnida). It’s better to be too formal than too casual.
- Practice Bowing: Practice bowing slightly when greeting people, saying thank you, or apologizing.
- Use the Phrases: Try incorporating the phrases you learned here into your daily interactions, even simple ones like “감사합니다” and “죄송합니다”.
- Ask Questions: If you’re unsure about etiquette in a specific situation, it’s okay to politely ask a Korean friend or colleague. They will likely appreciate your effort to learn!
Keep practicing, and soon these expressions and manners will become second nature~! 화이팅! (Fighting!)
