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15+ Ways To Say 'Bye' In Korean: The Ultimate Guide To Farewell Phrases For Every Situation (2025 Update)

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Learning how to say goodbye in Korean is one of the most critical steps in mastering the language, far more complex than simply saying "hello." Unlike the universal "bye" in English, Korean requires you to navigate a nuanced social landscape, using completely different phrases depending on whether you are the one leaving or the other person is leaving, and crucially, the level of formality required for the relationship. As of December 2025, mastering these context-specific farewells is essential for showing respect and fluency in Korean culture.

This comprehensive guide breaks down the essential Korean goodbye phrases, from the formal expressions used in business settings to the casual slang you’ll find in K-dramas and text messages. Understanding these distinctions—such as the difference between Annyeonghi Gaseyo (안녕히 가세요) and Annyeonghi Gyeseyo (안녕히 계세요)—will instantly elevate your Korean conversational skills and help you avoid awkward social missteps.

The Essential Korean Goodbye: Formal and Contextual Farewells

The core of saying goodbye in Korean revolves around two key phrases. These phrases are based on the verb stems for "to go" (가다 - Gada) and "to stay" (있다 - Itda), combined with the respectful adverb Annyeonghi (안녕히), meaning "peacefully" or "well."

1. Annyeonghi Gaseyo (안녕히 가세요) - "Go Peacefully"

  • When to Use: You are staying, and the other person is leaving.
  • Formality: Polite/Standard.
  • Literal Meaning: "Go peacefully."
  • Context: This is the most common phrase you will use when bidding farewell to a shopkeeper, a taxi driver, or a friend who is leaving your house or office. It is a respectful wish for them to have a safe journey. The verb Gaseyo (가세요) is the polite imperative form of "to go".

2. Annyeonghi Gyeseyo (안녕히 계세요) - "Stay Peacefully"

  • When to Use: You are leaving, and the other person is staying.
  • Formality: Polite/Standard.
  • Literal Meaning: "Stay peacefully."
  • Context: You use this when you are the one departing from someone else’s location, such as leaving a friend’s home, exiting a business meeting, or leaving your boss’s office. The verb Gyeseyo (계세요) is the polite imperative form of "to stay".

Crucial Entity Distinction: If you and the other person are both leaving a shared location (e.g., a restaurant), you can simply use Annyeonghi Gaseyo (안녕히 가세요) to each other, as you are both technically "going."

Casual and Informal Ways to Say Bye in Korean

When speaking with friends, colleagues of the same age, or younger people, the formal phrases can sound stiff and unnatural. The casual, or informal, level uses a different set of vocabulary that is much quicker and more relaxed.

3. Annyeong (안녕) - The All-Purpose Casual Greeting

  • When to Use: With close friends, family, or people younger than you.
  • Formality: Casual/Informal.
  • Context: Annyeong (안녕) is the ultimate casual word, meaning both "hello" and "bye." It’s often the first Korean word people learn and is used ubiquitously in casual settings.

4. Jal Ga (잘 가) - "Go Well"

  • When to Use: You are staying, and the other person is leaving (a casual version of Annyeonghi Gaseyo).
  • Formality: Casual.
  • Literal Meaning: "Go well."
  • Context: This is a simple, affectionate way to tell a friend to have a safe journey. Jal (잘) means "well".

5. Jal Isseo (잘 있어) - "Stay Well"

  • When to Use: You are leaving, and the other person is staying (a casual version of Annyeonghi Gyeseyo).
  • Formality: Casual.
  • Literal Meaning: "Stay well."
  • Context: Used when you are the one departing from a friend's place. The verb Isseo (있어) is the casual form of "to stay".

Advanced Korean Farewell Phrases for Specific Situations

True fluency comes from knowing the specific phrases that fit niche situations, demonstrating topical authority and a deep understanding of Korean social norms.

6. Jal Deureogaseyo (잘 들어가세요) - "Go in Well"

  • Context: Used specifically when someone is going home.
  • Formality: Polite.
  • Meaning: This phrase is a thoughtful way of wishing someone a safe trip back to their residence, literally meaning "Go in well" (들어 - Deureo, meaning "enter").

7. Daeume Bwayo (다음에 봐요) - "See You Next Time"

  • Context: Suitable for colleagues or acquaintances you expect to see again.
  • Formality: Polite.
  • Meaning: Daeume (다음에) means "next time." This is a common and versatile phrase, especially in professional or semi-casual settings.

8. Tto Bwoeyo (또 봬요) - "See You Again"

  • Context: Similar to the above, emphasizing seeing the person "again."
  • Formality: Polite.
  • Meaning: Tto (또) means "again." It’s a slightly more formal variation of "See you next time".

9. Josimhi Gaseyo (조심히 가세요) - "Go Carefully"

  • Context: Used when the weather is bad, or the journey is difficult.
  • Formality: Polite.
  • Meaning: By adding the adverb Josimhi (조심히), meaning "carefully," you express genuine concern for the other person’s safety.

10. Naega Meonjeo Galge (내가 먼저 갈게) - "I'll Go First"

  • Context: Used among close friends when you need to leave before them.
  • Formality: Casual.
  • Meaning: This phrase is a common courtesy to announce your departure from a group setting. Naega (내가) means "I," and Meonjeo (먼저) means "first."

Modern Korean Goodbyes: Texting and Slang

In the digital age, Korean communication has evolved, giving rise to unique texting abbreviations and Konglish (Korean + English) phrases that are vital for modern conversations.

11. ㅂㅂ (bb) - The Texting Abbreviation

  • Context: Text messaging, instant messaging (KakaoTalk).
  • Formality: Extremely Casual/Slang.
  • Meaning: This is a Hangeul (한글) abbreviation for "bye bye." The characters ㅂ (Bieup) are the first consonants of the word 빠이빠이 (Ppaip-pai), which is a Konglish version of "bye bye".

12. 빠이 (Ppai) - The Konglish Bye

  • Context: Casual conversations and texting.
  • Formality: Casual/Konglish.
  • Meaning: A direct, phonetic borrowing of the English word "bye." It is quick, easy, and universally understood among younger Koreans.

13. Jal Ja (잘 자) - "Sleep Well"

  • Context: Used at the end of a phone call or text late at night.
  • Formality: Casual.
  • Meaning: A simple way to say "good night" or "sleep well" to a close friend or partner.

14. Ssukdeul-gaseyo (수고하세요) - "Work Hard" (A Farewell to Workers)

  • Context: Used when leaving a place where someone is working (e.g., a restaurant, office, or construction site).
  • Formality: Polite.
  • Meaning: While literally meaning "work hard," it is a common farewell phrase to acknowledge a person's effort and wish them well in their continued work.

Mastering the Korean Farewell: Key Entities and Takeaways

The secret to using these phrases correctly lies in recognizing your position relative to the other person and the social hierarchy. The distinction between 'to go' and 'to stay' is the fundamental concept that separates a beginner from a fluent speaker.

To ensure you never make a mistake, always remember these key entities and their roles:

  • 가세요 (Gaseyo): The polite form of "to go." Use it when the other person is leaving.
  • 계세요 (Gyeseyo): The polite form of "to stay." Use it when you are leaving.
  • 안녕 (Annyeong): The default casual option for almost any situation.
  • 다음에 (Daeume): The word for "next time," used in "See you next time" phrases.
  • 또 (Tto): The word for "again," used in "See you again" phrases.
  • 존댓말 (Jondaetmal): The term for "polite language" used in Korean, which includes phrases like Annyeonghi Gaseyo.
  • 반말 (Banmal): The term for "casual language" used with close friends, which includes phrases like Jal Ga and Annyeong.

By integrating these 15+ ways to say goodbye into your vocabulary, you will demonstrate a profound respect for Korean language and culture, making your interactions smoother and more authentic in any setting, whether you’re wrapping up a professional call or sending a late-night text to a friend.

15+ Ways to Say 'Bye' in Korean: The Ultimate Guide to Farewell Phrases for Every Situation (2025 Update)
how to say bye in korean
how to say bye in korean

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