Welcome in Korean: 환영합니다 and 어서 오세요

"Welcome" in Korean is 환영합니다 (hwanyeonghamnida). In shops and restaurants, you’ll mostly hear 어서 오세요 (eoseo oseyo).

Two phrases, two uses. 환영합니다 is for formal greetings (events, companies, speeches). 어서 오세요 is the everyday line you’ll hear the moment you walk in.

Politeness levels

Related phrases

• 들어오세요 (deureooseyo): Come in
• 앉으세요 (anjeuseyo): Please sit down
• 처음 뵙겠습니다 (cheoeum boepgesseumnida): Nice to meet you

Field tip

Staff say 어서 오세요 even if you don’t order. You don’t have to answer: a smile is enough.

Common mistake

Don’t say 환영합니다 to a friend entering your home: it’s too formal. Use 들어와 or 어서 와.

Go further

Practice these phrases in Seonsaengnim lessons and dictionary, with native audio and flashcards.