1. 안녕하세요 — Annyeonghaseyo

Meaning: Hello

안녕하세요 is the safest and most useful Korean greeting for beginners. You can use it when meeting a teacher, customer, neighbour, shop employee or someone you do not know well.

It is appropriate in most polite everyday situations.

Example

A: 안녕하세요!

Hello!

B: 네, 안녕하세요!

Yes, hello!

When entering a café, restaurant or small shop in Korea, you may hear the employee say 안녕하세요. You can smile, make eye contact and reply with the same expression.

Harry’s Story:

Sometimes, I greet my students first by saying 안녕하세요. When they reply with 안녕하세요, I may respond with 안녕 if they are students I see often. However, 안녕 is an informal greeting and should not normally be used when speaking to a teacher, a senior or someone older. I remember correcting students who greeted me with 안녕 because they did not yet understand this difference.

2. 감사합니다 — Gamsahamnida

Meaning: Thank you

감사합니다 is a polite and formal way to express gratitude. You will hear it constantly in shops, restaurants, offices and public places.

You can use it when someone gives you something, helps you or provides a service.

Example

A: 주문하신 커피 나왔습니다.

Your coffee is ready.

B: 감사합니다.

Thank you.

When saying 감사합니다, looking at the other person and giving a small nod makes the expression feel warmer and more sincere.

3. 괜찮아요 — Gwaenchanayo

Meanings: It’s okay / I’m okay / No, thank you

괜찮아요 is one of the most flexible expressions in Korean. Its meaning depends on the situation.

If someone apologises, 괜찮아요 can mean “It’s okay.”

If someone asks whether you are hurt or uncomfortable, it can mean “I’m okay.”

It can also be a polite way to decline something.

Example 1

A: 미안해요.

I’m sorry.

B: 괜찮아요.

It’s okay.

Example 2

A: 더 드릴까요?

Would you like some more?

B: 아니요, 괜찮아요.

No, thank you. I’m fine.

Pay attention to the speaker’s expression and the situation. The words may be the same, but the intended meaning can be different.

4. 잠깐만요 — Jamkkanmanyo

Meaning: Wait a moment / Just a moment

Use 잠깐만요 when you need someone to wait briefly. It is useful in shops, restaurants, offices and conversations with friends.

Example

잠깐만요. 지갑을 찾고 있어요.

Just a moment. I’m looking for my wallet.

You can also say 잠시만요, which has a similar meaning and sounds slightly more formal.

Be careful not to use 잠깐! with strangers. Without 요, it sounds informal and may feel abrupt.

5. 진짜요? — Jinjayo?

Meaning: Really?

진짜요? is used when you are surprised, impressed or unsure whether something is true.

Example

A: 저 한국에서 10년 살았어요.

I lived in Korea for ten years.

B: 진짜요?

Really?

Your tone is important. A rising, surprised tone makes the expression sound interested and friendly.

With close friends, Koreans often shorten it to 진짜? However, 진짜요? is safer when speaking politely.

6. 맞아요 — Majayo

Meaning: That’s right / Exactly

맞아요 is used to agree with someone or confirm that something is correct.

Example

A: 한국어는 동사가 문장 끝에 와요.

In Korean, the verb comes at the end of the sentence.

B: 네, 맞아요.

Yes, that’s right.

When you strongly agree, you can say:

맞아요, 맞아요!

That’s right! Exactly!

Another common expression is 정말 맞아요, meaning “That is absolutely right.”

7. 아니에요 — Anieyo

Meanings: No / That’s not it / Not at all / You’re welcome

아니에요 literally means “It is not.” However, Koreans use it in several everyday situations.

It can correct incorrect information:

A: 선생님이에요?

Are you a teacher?

B: 아니에요. 학생이에요.

No. I’m a student.

It can also be a modest response to praise or thanks:

A: 도와주셔서 감사합니다.

Thank you for helping me.

B: 아니에요.

Not at all. / You’re welcome.

Although 아니에요 can function like “You’re welcome,” the more literal expression 천만에요 is not used as frequently in ordinary conversation as many textbooks suggest.

8. 어떡해! — Eotteokhae!

Meanings: What should I do? / Oh no!

어떡해 is used when you are worried, surprised or faced with an unexpected problem.

Example

버스를 놓쳤어. 어떡해!

I missed the bus. What should I do?

This is an informal expression, so it is most natural with friends or when talking to yourself.

In a polite situation, you can say:

어떡해요?

What should I do?

Do not confuse 어떡해 with 어떻게. They sound similar, but 어떻게 generally means “how.”

어떻게 가요?

How do I get there?

9. 맛있어요 — Masisseoyo

Meaning: It’s delicious

맛있어요 is one of the most useful expressions when eating in Korea. You can use it to compliment food at a restaurant or someone’s home.

Example

이 음식 정말 맛있어요.

This food is really delicious.

Before eating, Koreans often say:

잘 먹겠습니다.

Thank you for the meal. / I will enjoy the meal.

After finishing, they may say:

잘 먹었습니다.

Thank you for the meal. / I enjoyed the meal.

Using these expressions can make dining with Korean people feel much more natural.

10. 뭐 해요? — Mwo haeyo?

Meaning: What are you doing?

뭐 해요? is a common question used in person, on the phone or in a text message.

Example

A: 지금 뭐 해요?

What are you doing now?

B: 집에서 한국어 공부해요.

I’m studying Korean at home.

Between close friends, 뭐 해? is more natural. Adding 요 makes the expression polite:

뭐 해? — informal

뭐 해요? — polite

When texting, Koreans sometimes write it without a space as 뭐해요? However, 뭐 해요? follows the standard spacing rule.

How to Practise These Expressions

Do not try to memorise all 10 expressions only by reading them. Korean pronunciation becomes easier when you connect each phrase to a real situation.

Try this simple practice method:

1. Watch the video once without speaking.
2. Watch it again and repeat each Korean phrase.
3. Copy the speaker’s facial expression and intonation.
4. Imagine a real situation in which you could use the phrase.
5. Make one short sentence using each expression.

For example, instead of memorising only 맛있어요, practise:

• 김치찌개가 맛있어요.
• Kimchi stew is delicious.

Learning a phrase together with its situation will help you remember it and use it naturally.

Final Thoughts

These 10 phrases may look simple, but they are an important part of everyday Korean conversation. Expressions such as 괜찮아요, 아니에요 and 어떡해 can communicate several different meanings depending on context and tone.

That is why learning Korean is not only about translating words. It is also about observing the situation, the relationship between the speakers and the way an expression is delivered.

Watch the video again, repeat the phrases aloud and choose three expressions to use this week.

Which phrases did you already know? Tell us your favourite Korean expression in the comments.

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