Korean Greetings and Their Orthography

Korean utilizes a writing system known as Hangul, featuring unique consonants and vowels combined to form syllables. Greetings in Korean exhibit varying levels of formality, reflecting social hierarchy and the relationship between speakers.

Common Greetings

Several expressions serve as common greetings, each appropriate for different contexts.

Informal Greetings

• 안녕 (Annyeong): This is a versatile and widely used informal greeting, translatable as "hello" or "goodbye." It is suitable for friends, family, and peers.
• 안녕하세요 (Annyeonghaseyo): While similar to "Annyeong," this is slightly more polite and can be used in less informal settings.

Formal Greetings

• 안녕하십니까 (Annyeonghaseumnikka): This is the most formal greeting, reserved for elders, superiors, or people you don't know well. Its usage denotes respect and deference.

Hangul Syllable Structure

Hangul syllables are constructed by combining consonants and vowels. Each greeting mentioned above comprises multiple syllables, each formed according to specific rules of Hangul orthography.

Consonants and Vowels

A detailed explanation of Korean consonants and vowels, including their pronunciation, and how they combine to form syllables, is beyond the scope of this entry. Refer to resources dedicated to Hangul for comprehensive information on this subject.

Contextual Considerations

The choice of greeting in Korean depends heavily on the social context, including the age, status, and relationship with the person being addressed. Using an inappropriately formal or informal greeting can be perceived as rude or disrespectful.