How to Say “goodbye” in Korean
안녕히 가세요
annyeonghi gaseyo
/ɐn.njʌŋ.ɦi ka.se.jo/
politeThis is the most common and polite way to say 'goodbye' to someone who is *leaving* while you are *staying*. It literally means 'go in peace'. Think of it as wishing them a safe journey as they depart.
먼저 안녕히 가세요.
meonjeo annyeonghi gaseyo.
You can go ahead, goodbye. (Said when someone is leaving a meeting before you.)
Other Ways to Say It
Use this when *you* are leaving and the other person is *staying*. It means 'stay in peace'. Imagine you're leaving a friend's house after a visit; you'd say this to them.
저 먼저 갈게요. 안녕히 계세요!
jeo meonjeo galgeyo. annyeonghi gyeseyo!
I'm going to head out now. Goodbye! (Said as you leave a room.)
This is a casual 'goodbye' you'd use with friends, family members younger than you, or people you're very close to and feel comfortable with. It literally means 'go well'.
나중에 봐, 잘 가!
najunge bwa, jal ga!
See you later, bye! (Said to a close friend.)
Similar to 'jal ga', but you use this when you are the one leaving and the other person is staying. It means 'stay well'. Think of saying this to your roommate as you leave for work.
나 출근한다! 잘 있어!
na chulgeunhanda! jal isseo!
I'm heading to work! Bye! (Said to someone who is staying behind.)
A Native Speaker’s Guide
As a Korean speaker, the concept of 'goodbye' isn't as straightforward as it seems in English. We have two main polite forms – 'annyeonghi gaseyo' and 'annyeonghi gyeseyo' – and choosing the right one is all about *who* is leaving and *who* is staying. It reflects a core Korean value: showing consideration for the other person's situation and wishing them well according to it. It’s not just about the words themselves, but the *act* of caring. Then, of course, there are the casual versions 'jal ga' and 'jal isseo,' which follow the same rule but are reserved for close relationships.
I remember one time, a non-Korean speaker was leaving my office and said 'annyeonghi gyeseyo' to all of us as he walked out. Technically, he wasn't wrong to say 'goodbye', but it sounded *really* strange because *he* was the one leaving. It’s not offensive, but everyone exchanged slightly confused glances. It’s like he was telling *us* to stay in peace while *he* was going on his way! It just felt… backwards. The silence after he left was palpable, and someone quietly corrected him afterwards.
Personally, I probably use 'annyeonghi gaseyo' and 'annyeonghi gyeseyo' the most during the workday. It’s polite and appropriate for almost any situation. With my friends, it’s usually 'jal ga' or 'jal isseo', or even just 'bwa' (see you). Among older generations, you might hear even more honorific variations depending on their relationship to the person leaving or staying. The younger generation sometimes shortens 'annyeonghi gaseyo' to just 'gaseyo', which is still polite but slightly less formal. I think the one thing I wish every language learner understood is that the 'leaving/staying' distinction is crucial. It's not just about the translation of 'goodbye,' but about showing respect and awareness of the other person's situation. Get that right, and you'll make a much better impression.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
This is probably the most common mistake. It just sounds odd because you're telling someone who is leaving to 'stay in peace' when they are literally not staying. People won't be offended, but they'll likely correct you, or at least notice the error.
'Jal ga' is too casual. It's like saying 'see ya!' to your boss. They might not say anything, but they'll definitely think you're being impolite.
While 'annyeong' means 'peace' and can be used as a very informal 'hi' or 'bye' between *extremely* close friends, it's abrupt and generally not appropriate when parting ways. It can sound dismissive unless you're really close to the person.
Pronunciation matters! If you just read the romanization and don't listen to how it's actually said, you'll likely mispronounce it, making it hard for people to understand you, or worse, saying something you didn't mean.
Related Expressions
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between annyeonghi gaseyo and annyeonghi gyeseyo?
The difference is who is leaving and who is staying. Use 'annyeonghi gaseyo' when *they* are leaving, and you are staying. Use 'annyeonghi gyeseyo' when *you* are leaving, and they are staying. Think of it like wishing the person who is moving a safe journey or a peaceful stay.
Is it rude to say jal ga to my professor?
Yes, it's definitely too casual. You should always use 'annyeonghi gyeseyo' to someone older than you or in a professional setting, even if you feel relatively close to them. Maintaining a certain level of respect is important in Korean culture.
How do you pronounce annyeonghi gaseyo?
It's pronounced roughly as "ahn-nyung-hee ga-se-yo". It's best to listen to native speakers pronounce it on online dictionaries or pronunciation guides to get the rhythm and intonation right. The vowel sounds are particularly important to get correct.
Can I just say annyeong to say goodbye?
While 'annyeong' itself means 'peace' and can be a very informal greeting or farewell, it's generally not polite to say it as a standalone 'goodbye' to people you aren't very close to. It can come across as abrupt or dismissive. Adding 'gaseyo' or 'gyeseyo' makes it much more appropriate.
When should I use 'jal isseo' instead of 'jal ga'?
Use 'jal isseo' when you are leaving, and the other person is staying. Use 'jal ga' when the other person is leaving, and you are staying. Both are casual, so only use them with close friends and family younger than you.
Is there a more formal way to say goodbye in Korean?
While 'annyeonghi gaseyo/gyeseyo' are already quite polite, you can add honorific suffixes to make them even more formal when speaking to someone of significantly higher status. However, these are less commonly used in everyday conversation, and 'annyeonghi gaseyo/gyeseyo' are usually sufficient.
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