How to Say Goodbye in Korean: 안녕히 계세요 vs. 안녕히 가세요 Explained
Essential Korean Expressions
How to Say Goodbye in Korean: 안녕히 계세요 vs. 안녕히 가세요
Learn which Korean farewell to use depending on who is leaving, who is staying, and how formal the situation is.
Lesson Summary
- 안녕히 계세요 is used when you leave and the other person stays.
- 안녕히 가세요 is used when the other person leaves or both people depart.
- 안녕, 잘 가, and 또 봐 are casual farewells.
- 먼저 가보겠습니다 is useful when leaving work before others.
- A slight bow adds politeness in formal situations.
Quick Answer
Use 안녕히 계세요 when you are leaving and the other person is staying. Use 안녕히 가세요 when the other person is leaving, or when both people are leaving in different directions.
Why Korean Uses Two Main Goodbye Phrases
Korean farewells reflect the relationship between the speaker, listener, and location. 안녕히 계세요 contains 계세요, the honorific form of “to stay,” while 안녕히 가세요 contains 가세요, the polite honorific form of “to go.”
This distinction is part of Korean honorific speech, or 존댓말, and helps speakers show respect while describing who remains and who departs.
Learning how to say goodbye in Korean becomes much easier once you focus on one question: who is leaving, and who is staying?
This lesson explains the two main polite farewells, casual options for friends, workplace expressions, and practical memory tricks.
Learning how to say goodbye in Korean can feel confusing for beginners because English relies heavily on a single phrase—"goodbye." In Korean culture, however, choosing the correct farewell depends on one crucial factor: who is leaving and who is staying behind.
If you choose the wrong phrase, you might accidentally tell your host to "go in peace" while you are the one walking out the door! In this complete guide, you will master the main polite expressions 안녕히 계세요 (An-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo) and 안녕히 가세요 (An-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo), learn simple visual memory tricks, explore casual options for friends, and discover proper workplace farewell etiquette.
안녕히 계세요 vs. 안녕히 가세요
| Situation | Use | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| You leave; they stay | 안녕히 계세요 | Stay in peace |
| They leave, or both leave | 안녕히 가세요 | Go in peace |
When should you say 안녕히 계세요?
Say 안녕히 계세요 when you are leaving and the listener is staying behind. It literally means “Please stay in peace.”
In context: In Korean, 안녕히 계세요 is a location-based farewell used by the person who departs. It respectfully wishes peace to the person who remains.
When you are leaving a venue—such as a friend's house, a restaurant, a store, or an office—and the person you are speaking to is staying behind, use 안녕히 계세요 (An-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo).
• Hangul: 안녕히 계세요
• Pronunciation: Ahn-nyeong-hee gyeh-seh-yo
• Literal Meaning: "Please stay in peace."
• Politeness Level: Polite Formal (존댓말 - Jondaetmal)
When to use it: Use this phrase whenever you depart from a location while the other person remains. For instance, when you finish your meal at a restaurant and walk out, or when leaving a shop after purchasing an item, say 안녕히 계세요 to the owner or staff.
• 안녕히 (An-nyeong-hi): Peacefully / In peace
• 계세요 (Gye-se-yo): Polite honorific form of 계시다 (to stay/exist)
Put together, you are wishing that the person remains peacefully in their current location.
When should you say 안녕히 가세요?
Say 안녕히 가세요 when the listener is leaving, or when both people are departing. It literally means “Please go in peace.”
In context: In Korean, 안녕히 가세요 is directed toward the person who leaves. It respectfully wishes the departing person a peaceful journey.
When you are remaining behind while someone else leaves, or when both of you are departing in different directions, use 안녕히 가세요 (An-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo).
• Hangul: 안녕히 가세요
• Pronunciation: Ahn-nyeong-hee gah-seh-yo
• Literal Meaning: "Please go in peace."
• Politeness Level: Polite Formal (존댓말)
When to use it: Use this phrase when hosting a guest who is departing your home, seeing off a coworker, or saying goodbye to an acquaintance when you both leave a gathering to go your separate ways.
• 안녕히 (An-nyeong-hi): Peacefully / In peace
• 가세요 (Ga-se-yo): Polite honorific form of 가다 (to go)
Here, you are wishing the departing person a safe and peaceful journey.
How can you remember 안녕히 계세요 vs. 안녕히 가세요?
Remember 계세요 as “stay” and 가세요 as “go.” If the listener stays, use 계세요. If the listener goes, use 가세요.
Mixing up 계세요 (gye-se-yo) and 가세요 (ga-se-yo) is a common beginner mistake. Here is a simple visual association trick to ensure you get it right every time:
| Phrase | Key Verb Sound | Memory Hook | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 안녕히 계세요 | 계 (Gye) | "STAY" — Think of a Key sitting on a table in the house. The person stays where the key is! | "Stay in peace" (You leave) |
| 안녕히 가세요 | 가 (Ga) | "GO" — Think of "Go" or stepping on the Gas pedal to move forward! | "Go in peace" (They leave) |
How do you say goodbye casually in Korean?
With close friends, use 안녕, 잘 가, 잘 있어, 또 봐, or 나중에 봐. Choose the phrase based on who is leaving and how close the relationship is.
In context: Casual Korean farewells such as 안녕, 잘 가, 잘 있어, and 또 봐 are used in close relationships. They should not replace polite farewells with elders, strangers, teachers, or supervisors.
When speaking with close friends, family members, or peers of the same age or younger, drop the formal honorifics and use casual speech (반말 - Banmal).
1. 안녕 (An-nyeong) — "Bye!"
Just as 안녕 means "hello" casually, it also doubles as a friendly, informal "bye!" among close friends.
2. 잘 가 (Jal ga) — "Go well / Take care"
Used when your friend is leaving. 잘 (Jal) means "well" and 가 (ga) means "go." It literally means "Go well!"
3. 잘 있어 (Jal is-seo) — "Stay well"
Used when you are leaving and your close friend is staying. 있어 (is-seo) comes from 있다 (to stay/be).
4. 또 봐 (Tto bwa) / 나중에 봐 (Na-jung-e bwa) — "See you again / See you later"
A natural way to say goodbye to friends when you plan to meet again soon. 또 (Tto) means "again" and 봐 (bwa) means "see/look."
What goodbye phrases are used in Korean workplaces?
Common workplace farewells include 먼저 가보겠습니다 when leaving first, 수고하셨습니다 to acknowledge someone’s work, and 다녀오겠습니다 when stepping out and returning.
In context: Korean workplace farewells often emphasize effort, hierarchy, and whether someone is leaving temporarily or ending the workday.
In South Korea, workplace culture has specific phrases for ending the workday or stepping out briefly.
| Korean Expression | Hangul | Pronunciation | Context & Culture |
|---|---|---|---|
| I will leave first (Workplace departure) | 먼저 가보겠습니다 | Meon-jeo ga-bo-get-seum-ni-da | Standard polite phrase when leaving the office before your colleagues or boss. |
| Thank you for your hard work | 수고하셨습니다 | Su-go-ha-syeot-seum-ni-da | Said to coworkers or employees at the end of a shift, meeting, or event. |
| I will be back (Leaving home/office briefly) | 다녀오겠습니다 | Da-nyeo-o-get-seum-ni-da | Said to family or coworkers when stepping out for an errand and returning later. |
Korean Culture Tips
- A slight bow commonly accompanies polite Korean farewells.
- At restaurants and shops, customers often say 안녕히 계세요 or 감사합니다 when leaving.
- 수고하셨습니다 acknowledges another person’s effort at the end of work.
- Close friends generally prefer shorter farewells such as 안녕, 잘 가, or 또 봐.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Do not say 안녕히 가세요 to someone who is staying while you leave.
- Do not use 잘 가 or 잘 있어 with strangers, elders, or supervisors.
- Remember that 계세요 relates to staying and 가세요 relates to going.
- Use workplace farewells according to context rather than as universal goodbye phrases.
Real-World Korean Goodbye Scenarios
- Leaving a café: Say 안녕히 계세요 because the staff remains inside.
- Seeing off a guest: Say 안녕히 가세요 because the guest is leaving.
- Leaving work first: Say 먼저 가보겠습니다, often followed by 수고하셨습니다.
- Saying goodbye to a close friend: Use 안녕, 잘 가, or 또 봐.
Quick Knowledge Check
Select the correct goodbye for each scenario below.
Question 1: You just finished eating at a delicious restaurant in Seoul and are paying at the counter. As you walk out the door, what do you say to the staff?
A) 안녕히 가세요 (An-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo)
B) 안녕히 계세요 (An-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo)
C) 잘 있어 (Jal is-seo)
Question 2: A guest visits your home in Korea. After tea, they put on their coat and head to the door to leave. What should you say to them?
A) 안녕히 가세요 (An-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo)
B) 안녕히 계세요 (An-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo)
C) 먼저 가보겠습니다 (Meon-jeo ga-bo-get-seum-ni-da)
Question 3: You and your classmate (same age, close friend) are leaving school to head home. Which casual phrase means "Go well"?
A) 수고하셨습니다 (Su-go-ha-syeot-seum-ni-da)
B) 잘 있어 (Jal is-seo)
C) 잘 가 (Jal ga)
Question 4: You are clocking out of your job at a Korean office before your manager. What is the most professional polite expression to use?
A) 먼저 가보겠습니다 (Meon-jeo ga-bo-get-seum-ni-da)
B) 안녕 (An-nyeong)
C) 잘 가 (Jal ga)
Show Answers
Answers:
1. B) 안녕히 계세요 — Since you are leaving and the staff is staying in the restaurant, tell them to stay in peace.
2. A) 안녕히 가세요 — You are staying at home while your guest departs, so tell them to go in peace.
3. C) 잘 가 — "Jal ga" is the informal phrase used for friends who are leaving.
4. A) 먼저 가보겠습니다 — Meaning "I will leave first," this is the standard professional departure phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between 안녕히 계세요 and 안녕히 가세요?
Use 안녕히 계세요 when you leave and 안녕히 가세요 when the other person leaves. Use 안녕히 계세요 when you are leaving and the other person is staying. Use 안녕히 가세요 when the other person is leaving (or both of you are departing).
What does 안녕히 mean in Korean goodbyes?
안녕히 means “peacefully” or “in peace.” 안녕히 (An-nyeong-hi) is an adverb that translates to "peacefully" or "in peace." Combined with verbs of staying or going, it forms a polite wish for safety and peace.
How do you say goodbye casually to friends in Korean?
Say 안녕, 잘 가, 또 봐, or 나중에 봐 with close friends. With close friends, you can say 안녕 (An-nyeong) for a simple "bye," 잘 가 (Jal ga) for "go well," or 또 봐 (Tto bwa) for "see you again."
What should you say when leaving a Korean restaurant or coffee shop?
Say 안녕히 계세요 or 감사합니다 when leaving a Korean restaurant or café. Because the staff is staying inside the venue while you leave, say 안녕히 계세요 (An-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo) or 감사합니다 (Gam-sa-ham-ni-da) as you step out.
Is bowing required when saying goodbye in Korean?
A slight bow is recommended in polite situations, especially with elders or superiors. Yes, a slight head or waist bow while saying 안녕히 계세요 or 안녕히 가세요 demonstrates respect and proper Korean etiquette, especially toward elders, customers, and superiors.
What does 수고하셨습니다 mean?
수고하셨습니다 means “Thank you for your hard work.” 수고하셨습니다 (Su-go-ha-syeot-seum-ni-da) translates to "Thank you for your effort/hard work." It is widely used among colleagues at the end of a workday or project.
Conclusion
Mastering how to say goodbye in Korean comes down to remembering whether the listener is staying or going. Remember the simple rule: if they stay, say 안녕히 계세요 (An-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo); if they go, say 안녕히 가세요 (An-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo). Practice these phrases along with a polite bow, and you will make a fantastic impression in any Korean conversation!
