← Talking with Friends

Beyond 안녕하세요 — Real Greetings

인사 — 안녕하세요 말고

Textbook안녕하세요, 잘 지내셨어요?an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, jal ji-nae-syeot-eo-yo?Hello, have you been well?
Real야, 밥 먹었어?ya, bap meok-eot-eo?Hey, have you eaten?🏷️ Close friends
📺 In context
밥 먹었어? (have you eaten?) is the classic Korean greeting. It doesn't literally ask about food — it means 'how are you?' Answering with actual meal details is fine too.
Greeting by closeness
Stranger/elder안녕하세요Hello (standard)
Acquaintance어, 안녕~Oh, hey~
Close friend야! / 왔어?Yo! / You're here?
Best friend (arriving)뭐해 / 밥 먹었어?What are you doing / Eaten yet?
Textbook오랜만입니다o-raen-man-ip-ni-daIt has been a long time
Real헐 진짜 오랜만이다!heol jin-jja o-raen-man-i-da!OMG it's been forever!🏷️ Close friends
📺 In context
헐 (omg/whoa) + 진짜 (really) + ~이다 (casual ending) = natural reaction. 오랜만입니다 sounds like you're talking to your boss.
💡

When Koreans say '다음에 밥 한 번 먹자' (let's eat sometime), it's often just a polite goodbye — not an actual invitation. Don't wait for the invite. This is 눈치 (nunchi) in action.

Quick Quiz