This greeting should also be used in any context where it’s important to maintain a degree of formality, such as in the workplace, even if you’re talking to someone you’re friendly with. Children also use this greeting when saying hello to adults.
안녕 (an-nyeong) is also used among friends. However, for adults over the age of 30, you’ll typically only hear this greeting between women. Men rarely, if ever, use it unless talking to a child. In Korean society, it is generally seen as inappropriate for an adult man to be using an expression that children use.
반갑다! (ban-gap-da): This phrase means “it’s good to see you” and is the most common informal greeting among adult male friends. Also may be used by teenagers and children. 잘 지냈어? (jal ji-ne-sseo?): Similar to “how are you,” this phrase asks “have you been well?” Also a common greeting among adult male friends. Teenagers and children also use this greeting. 오랜만이야 (o-ren-ma-ni-ya): “Long time no see,” used between adult male friends who haven’t seen each other in a while. Children and teenagers will also say this to each other in the same context. 얼굴 보니까 좋다 (ul-gul bo-ni-gga jo-ta): “It’s good to see your face,” a colloquial, informal greeting used exclusively between adult friends.
While you won’t be greeted this way in every shop or restaurant you enter in Korea, you’re likely to hear it in fancier places. Airline staff will also greet you this way on a Korean airline. You may be greeted this way while in Korea, but you would seldom have any opportunity to use it yourself unless you work in a customer service position in Korea. If you use this phrase in any other context, it will just make the people you greet feel awkward.
The depth of your bow depends on the person and the context. Someone older than you or in a position of authority would always get a deeper bow. Never make eye contact with the other person when you bow. This is considered rude.
Because the phrase ends in 요 (yo), it is considered polite and is appropriate to use regardless of who’s on the other end of the line.
While people will understand you when you say this, it isn’t a commonly used greeting. It’s best used between people you know relatively well, especially if one of them has said it to you first.
Don’t forget to bow while saying this unless you’ve already bowed. This phrase is also appropriate if you’re meeting someone who appears to be older than you or is in a position of authority.
Remember to pay attention to context as well as the age of the person you’re greeting. If you’re meeting someone your age in a professional or formal setting, you would typically still use 만나서 반갑습니다 (man-na-se-o ban-gap-seum-ni-da). 만나서 반가워요(man-na-se-o ban-ga-wo-yo) is appropriate in a casual social setting, such as when you’re introduced to the friend of a friend.
