Vocabulary5 min read744 views
How to Say Goodbye in Korean: 안녕히 가세요 vs 안녕히 계세요
In Korean, "goodbye" is said differently depending on who's leaving and who's staying. Here are all forms explained.
Published on February 12, 2026
The Trap: Two Different "Goodbyes"
In Korean, there are two ways to say "goodbye" and the choice depends on one simple question: who's leaving?
| Situation | You say | Korean |
|---|---|---|
| The other leaves, you stay | "Go in peace" | 안녕히 가세요 (annyeonghi gaseyo) |
| You leave, the other stays | "Stay in peace" | 안녕히 계세요 (annyeonghi gyeseyo) |
| Both leaving | "Go in peace" | 안녕히 가세요 (both say it) |
Etymology
- 안녕히 = peacefully
- 가세요 = go (from 가다, to go)
- 계세요 = stay (from 계시다, to stay — honorific)
Politeness Levels
| Level | When they leave | When you leave |
|---|---|---|
| Formal | 안녕히 가십시오 | 안녕히 계십시오 |
| Polite | 안녕히 가세요 | 안녕히 계세요 |
| Casual | 잘 가 / 안녕 | 잘 있어 / 안녕 |
Other Ways to Say Goodbye
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 잘 가 | jal ga | Go well (casual) |
| 또 만나요 | tto mannayo | See you again |
| 내일 봐요 | naeil bwayo | See you tomorrow |
| 조심히 가세요 | josimhi gaseyo | Get home safely |
| 바이바이 | baibai | Bye bye |
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