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10+ Ways To Say 'How Are You' In Korean: The Ultimate 2025 Guide To Greetings And Politeness Levels

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Learning how to ask "How are you?" in Korean is far more complex than a simple direct translation. In Korean culture, the way you greet someone is deeply tied to their age, social status, and your relationship with them, requiring you to navigate a complex system of speech levels and honorifics. This guide, updated for December 21, 2025, will show you the essential phrases, from the most formal to the most casual, ensuring you always make a great first impression.

The standard phrase taught to beginners, Annyeonghaseyo (안녕하세요), actually functions more as a general "Hello" and implies a question like "Are you at peace?" or "Are you well?" To truly ask about a person's well-being, you need to master several other key phrases and understand the underlying cultural nuances of Korean Honorifics and Speech Levels.

The Essential Korean Greetings: Formal, Standard, and Casual

The Korean language uses a system of Speech Levels (말투, *maltu*) that dictates verb endings based on the speaker's relationship to the listener. Mastering these is crucial for proper greetings. The three most relevant levels for greetings are the Formal Polite (*Hasipsioche*), the Standard Polite (*Haeyoche*), and the Casual (*Haeche* or *Banmal*).

1. The Standard Polite & Versatile Ways (해요체 - *Haeyoche*)

These phrases are the safest and most common for daily conversation with acquaintances, colleagues, or anyone whose age or status doesn't warrant the highest level of formality. This is the Jondaetmal (존댓말) or "honorific speech" you will use most often.

  • 잘 지냈어요? (Jal jinaesseoyo?)
    • Literal Meaning: "Have you been well?" or "Have you spent your time well?"
    • When to Use: This is the most common and versatile way to ask "How are you?" to someone you haven't seen in a while. It's polite but not overly formal.
  • 어떻게 지내세요? (Eotteoke jinaeseyo?)
    • Literal Meaning: "How are you doing?" or "How have you been spending your time?"
    • When to Use: A slightly more direct and general way to ask about someone's current situation or recent life.
  • 기분이 어때요? (Gibun-i eottaeyo?)
    • Literal Meaning: "How is your mood/feeling?"
    • When to Use: Used when you want to specifically ask about their emotional state, often with close friends or people you know well.

2. The Formal & Highly Respectful Ways (하십시오체 - *Hasipsioche*)

These phrases are reserved for highly formal situations, such as addressing a superior, a very elderly person, in a business presentation, or on the news. This level shows the highest respect.

  • 안녕하십니까? (Annyeonghasimnikka?)
    • Literal Meaning: "Are you at peace?" (Highest formal version)
    • When to Use: The most formal way to say "Hello" and imply a general "How are you?" Use this in a professional setting or when addressing a large audience.
  • 잘 지내셨습니까? (Jal jinaesyeosseumnikka?)
    • Literal Meaning: "Have you been well?" (Highest formal version)
    • When to Use: Use this when addressing a respected elder or superior whom you haven't seen for a long time. The inclusion of the honorific suffix -시- (*-si-*) makes it extremely respectful.
  • 건강하십니까? (Geonghanghasimnikka?)
    • Literal Meaning: "Are you healthy?"
    • When to Use: A traditional and highly formal greeting, especially appropriate for an elderly person.

3. The Casual Ways and Slang (해체 / 반말 - *Haeche* / *Banmal*)

These phrases are only for people you are very close with, such as close friends, younger siblings, or children. Using Banmal (반말) with someone older or of higher status is considered a serious social blunder.

  • 안녕? (Annyeong?)
    • Literal Meaning: "Peace/Well-being?" or "Hi/How are you?"
    • When to Use: The simplest and most common casual greeting. It's the informal version of *Annyeonghaseyo*.
  • 잘 지냈어? (Jal jinaesseo?)
    • Literal Meaning: "Have you been well?" (Informal)
    • When to Use: The casual equivalent of *Jal jinaesseoyo?*, used with close friends you haven't seen recently.
  • 뭐 해? (Mwo hae?)
    • Literal Meaning: "What are you doing?"
    • When to Use: A very casual, contextual greeting often used when calling a friend on the phone or running into them unexpectedly.

Cultural Deep Dive: Why Koreans Don't Always Ask "How Are You?"

In South Korea, greetings are more about acknowledging the other person's presence and showing respect than initiating a detailed conversation about their emotional state. The phrase "How are you?" as a genuine question is often replaced by contextual or traditional greetings, which are important LSI Keywords for understanding Korean communication.

The Traditional and Contextual Greetings

For centuries, a person's well-being was directly linked to their livelihood and sustenance. This is why you will still hear these traditional greetings, especially among older generations or in certain contexts:

  • 식사 하셨어요? (Siksa hasyeosseoyo?)
    • Translation: "Have you eaten?"
    • Cultural Context: Historically, this was a genuine question to ensure the person wasn't starving. Today, it functions as a warm, caring greeting, especially around meal times.
  • 어디 가세요? (Eodi gaseyo?)
    • Translation: "Where are you going?"
    • Cultural Context: This is not an invasive question, but rather a common, friendly acknowledgement. A simple, non-specific answer is usually sufficient.

The focus on group harmony and respect (a key aspect of Korean Culture) means that overly direct questions about one's personal feelings are sometimes avoided, especially in initial interactions. The polite default, *Annyeonghaseyo*, is a sufficient and respectful way to check in.

How to Respond to "How Are You" in Korean: 5 Essential Replies

Knowing how to ask is only half the battle; you must also know how to respond to maintain a natural flow of conversation. The most common response to *Jal jinaesseoyo?* is a simple "Yes, I'm well," followed by asking the question back.

Here are the essential Korean Responses you need to know, all in the standard polite (*Haeyoche*) form:

  • 1. Positive & Standard: 네, 잘 지내요. (Ne, jal jinaeyo.)
    • Meaning: "Yes, I'm doing well."
    • Follow-up: 그리고 [Person's Name/Title]은요? (Geurigo...eunyo?) - "And you?" (The most natural way to return the question).
  • 2. Neutral & Okay: 괜찮아요. (Gwaenchanayo.)
    • Meaning: "I'm okay." or "It's fine."
    • Usage: A common, slightly understated response when you are neither great nor terrible.
  • 3. So-So: 그냥 그래요. (Geunyang geuraeyo.)
    • Meaning: "So-so."
    • Usage: Use this with close friends or colleagues when you want to subtly indicate things aren't perfect, but you don't want to elaborate.
  • 4. Contextual (Busy): 요즘 바빠요. (Yojeum bappayo.)
    • Meaning: "I'm busy these days."
    • Usage: A very common and culturally acceptable response that explains why you might be tired or unable to meet.
  • 5. Not Good (Rarely Used): 나쁘지 않아요. (Nappeuji anayo.)
    • Meaning: "I'm not bad."
    • Note: Directly stating "I'm feeling bad" (기분이 별로예요, *Gibuni byeolloyeyo*) is rare in casual greetings and is usually reserved for very close friends or family. Koreans generally prefer to give a positive or neutral response.

By mastering the variety of phrases and their appropriate contexts—from the formal Hasipsioche to the casual Banmal—you will not only be able to say "How are you" in Korean but also demonstrate a deep respect for the country's rich linguistic traditions and Korean Etiquette. Always remember to match your verb endings to the person you are speaking to, and you will navigate Korean social interactions like a pro.

10+ Ways to Say 'How Are You' in Korean: The Ultimate 2025 Guide to Greetings and Politeness Levels
how are you in korean
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