Getting Started: Sounds, Scripts, and Social Norms

New Words and Phrases: Greetings and First Meetings

In this step, you will learn essential polite expressions for meeting someone in Korean. We will focus on the safe polite -yo style and phrases you can use when greeting, saying goodbye, and introducing yourself.

Language Pattern: Polite -yo Style and Basic Introductions

1. Safe polite speech: the -요 (-yo) style

In everyday Korean, politeness is very important. With new people, older people, or in most public situations, you should use polite speech. A very safe choice is the -요 (-yo) ending.

• It goes at the end of verbs and adjectives to sound polite and friendly.
• You can usually use -요 with strangers, shop staff, teachers, and people you are not close to.

Examples from the vocabulary:

• 안녕하세요 (an-nyeong-ha-se-yo) = Hello (polite)
• 만나서 반가워요 (man-na-seo ban-ga-wo-yo) = Nice to meet you (polite)
• 어디예요? (eo-di-ye-yo?) = Where is it? (polite)

Notice that each sentence ends with 요 (yo). This marks the whole sentence as polite.

2. The formal "thank you" ending -ㅂ니다 / -습니다

You also saw:

• 감사합니다 (gam-sa-ham-ni-da) = Thank you (polite, a bit more formal)

The ending -ㅂ니다 / -습니다 (-mnida / -seumnida) is more formal than -요. It is common in announcements, presentations, or when speaking very politely. For now, just remember that 감사합니다 is a very safe and polite way to say "thank you" to anyone.

3. Saying "I am _" with **저는 _이에요 / 예요

To introduce yourself politely, use this pattern:

• 저는 [name]이에요 / 예요. (jeo-neun [name] i-e-yo / ye-yo.)
• Meaning: I am [name].

Breakdown:

• 저 (jeo) = I / me (humble, polite)
• 는 (neun) = topic marker (shows what you are talking about)
• 이에요 / 예요 (i-e-yo / ye-yo) = am / is / are (polite)

Which one do you choose?

• Use 이에요 (i-e-yo) after a word that ends in a consonant.
• 저는 마이크예요 → Actually, "마이크" ends in a vowel sound, so it uses 예요.
• Example with consonant: 저는 학생이에요. (jeo-neun hak-saeng i-e-yo.) = I am a student.
• Use 예요 (ye-yo) after a word that ends in a vowel.
• 저는 마이크예요. (jeo-neun ma-i-keu ye-yo.) = I am Mike.

For now, you can remember one full sentence:

• 저는 [your name]예요. if your name ends in a vowel sound in Korean spelling.

4. Cultural note: greetings and first meetings

In Korea, when you say 안녕하세요 (an-nyeong-ha-se-yo) and 만나서 반가워요 (man-na-seo ban-ga-wo-yo) to someone you just met, it is polite to:

• Give a small bow (a slight nod of the upper body) instead of a handshake, or together with a light handshake if they offer it.
• Keep eye contact but not too intense; soft, respectful eye contact is best.
• Use 저 (jeo) instead of 나 (na) for "I" with new people, because 저 is the polite form.

These small behaviors match the polite -요 style and show respect in your first meetings.

Practice Dialogue: First Meeting in a Coffee Shop

In this conversation, two people meet for the first time at a coffee shop in Korea. They use polite -yo style, introduce themselves, and say goodbye. Pay attention to the greetings, self-introduction pattern, and how they say goodbye.

Check Your Understanding: Polite Greetings and Signs

Answer this question to check your understanding of key words and polite expressions from the lesson.