안녕하세요 vs 안녕하십니까
Hello (everyday polite) / hello (formal-deferential)
Try it freeTake the 1-question 안녕하세요 / 안녕하십니까 testChoose the right form, then read the explanation for each answer.Open →Explanation
Both expressions are respectful, but they belong to different levels of formality. 안녕하세요 is the normal polite default for most adult interactions. 안녕하십니까 is formal-deferential and deliberately more ceremonious.
Use 안녕하세요 with unfamiliar adults, teachers, coworkers, neighbors, shop staff, and most ordinary first meetings. It is polite without making the interaction sound like an announcement or official ceremony.
Use 안녕하십니까 when the entire situation supports 하십시오체: a formal presentation, official introduction, announcement, military-style interaction, or another setting where 합니다/습니까 endings are expected.
The common learner error is choosing the most formal form simply because it appears more respectful. Natural Korean requires appropriate register, not maximum formality in every situation.
Examples
선생님, 안녕하세요.
seonsaengnim, annyeonghaseyo.
Hello, teacher.
여러분, 안녕하십니까. 발표를 시작하겠습니다.
yeoreobun, annyeonghasimnikka. balpyoreul sijakhagetseumnida.
Hello, everyone. I will begin the presentation.
안녕하세요. 처음 뵙겠습니다.
annyeonghaseyo. cheoeum boepgetseumnida.
Hello. It is nice to meet you.
Common mistakes
- Do not call 안녕하세요 “casual.” It is polite; 안녕 is the casual form.
- Do not use 안녕하십니까 automatically in cafés, ordinary classrooms, or relaxed offices.
How to practice
- Check the speech level used in the rest of the interaction.
- Default to 안녕하세요 when the setting is ordinary but polite.
- Use 안녕하십니까 when formality is a feature of the event, not merely your personal anxiety.
Check yourself
Question 1 of 1
You meet a new adult neighbor. Which greeting is normally best?
Connected learning paths
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