Lesson 1 · Beginner 1 · A1
Greetings & Basic Courtesy
인사
Greetings are the first step in any language. Korean has different levels of politeness, and in this lesson you will learn the polite -요 and -니다 forms that are safe to use with anyone you meet: shop staff, teachers or new friends.
🎯 Learning goals
After this lesson you will be able to:
- Greet people and say goodbye correctly
- Thank and apologize with the right level of politeness
💬 Key phrases
안녕하세요
annyeonghaseyo
Hello / Hi (polite)
안녕히 가세요
annyeonghi gaseyo
Goodbye (to someone leaving)
안녕히 계세요
annyeonghi gyeseyo
Goodbye (to someone staying)
감사합니다
gamsahamnida
Thank you (formal)
고마워요
gomawoyo
Thanks (polite, friendly)
죄송합니다
joesonghamnida
I'm sorry (formal)
미안해요
mianhaeyo
Sorry (polite)
괜찮아요
gwaenchanayo
It's okay / I'm fine
네
ne
Yes
아니요
aniyo
No
반갑습니다
bangapseumnida
Nice to meet you
잘 지냈어요?
jal jinaesseoyo?
How have you been?
📐 Grammar
-(스)ㅂ니다 / -아요·어요
Two polite speech styles
The -(스)ㅂ니다 style is formal: news, announcements, meetings or someone important. The -아요/어요 style is polite but warmer, and it is the one you will use most in daily life. Both show respect.
| Base form | -(스)ㅂ니다 / -아요·어요 |
|---|---|
| 감사하다 | 감사합니다 / 감사해요 |
| 반갑다 | 반갑습니다 / 반가워요 |
| 죄송하다 | 죄송합니다 / 죄송해요 |
| 괜찮다 | 괜찮습니다 / 괜찮아요 |
Example
처음 뵙겠습니다. 반갑습니다.
cheoeum boepgetseumnida. bangapseumnida.
How do you do? Nice to meet you.
늦어서 죄송합니다.
neujeoseo joesonghamnida.
I am sorry for being late.
도와주셔서 감사합니다.
dowajusyeoseo gamsahamnida.
Thank you for helping me.
🗣 Dialogue
안녕하세요, 민지 씨!
annyeonghaseyo, minji ssi!
Hello, Minji!
준호 씨, 안녕하세요! 잘 지냈어요?
junho ssi, annyeonghaseyo! jal jinaesseoyo?
Junho, hello! How have you been?
네, 잘 지냈어요. 민지 씨는요?
ne, jal jinaesseoyo. minji ssineunyo?
Yes, I've been well. How about you?
저도 잘 지냈어요. 아, 이거 선물이에요.
jeodo jal jinaesseoyo. a, igeo seonmurieyo.
I've been well too. Oh, this is a gift for you.
와, 감사합니다!
wa, gamsahamnida!
Wow, thank you!
아니에요. 안녕히 계세요!
anieyo. annyeonghi gyeseyo!
Not at all. Goodbye!
안녕히 가세요!
annyeonghi gaseyo!
Goodbye, get home safely!
✏️ Grammar practice
Choose the word that completes each sentence.
✅ Quick quiz
Choose the correct meaning.
Updated: November 2026