한국어 인사와 사과 (Korean Greetings and Apologies)

In Korean, "Hello" is said as "안녕하세요" (annyeonghaseyo).
It's a polite greeting suitable for most situations and can be used with people you're meeting for the first time or with those you know but are not close with.

It's a phrase that shows respect and is a safe choice for all social interactions.

"Sorry" or "I am sorry" is expressed as "죄송합니다" (joesonghamnida) formally and politely. If you're in a casual setting with friends or people younger than you, you might say "미안해" (mianhae), which is less formal.

Example of 'Hello':

When you enter a shop, you can greet the shopkeeper by saying "안녕하세요" (annyeonghaseyo).

When you answer the phone, you can start the conversation with "안녕하세요" (annyeonghaseyo).

Example of 'Sorry':

If you accidentally bump into someone on the street, you can say "죄송합니다" (joesonghamnida) to apologize.

If you are late to a meeting, you can say "죄송합니다, 제가 늦었습니다" (joesonghamnida, jega neujeosseumnida), which means "I am sorry, I am late."

Cultural Note:

In Korean culture, greetings are significant. It's common to bow slightly when saying "안녕하세요" as a sign of respect, especially if you're greeting someone older or in a professional setting.

Apologizing is also taken very seriously in Korean culture. Showing remorse through your tone and body language, such as bowing, is common when saying "죄송합니다." It's a way to demonstrate sincerity and respect towards the other person.