How to Say "Goodbye when you're the one leaving" in Korean
When you are the one leaving, the usual Korean goodbye is 안녕히 계세요 (annyeonghi gyeseyo), literally “please stay well.” You say it to the person or people staying behind.
The most common way
annyeonghi gyeseyo
A polite goodbye said to someone staying behind when you are leaving: “please stay well.”
How to say it: Keep the ng sound in 안녕 and say 계세요 as three syllables, gye-se-yo; avoid rushing it into “annyeong-seyo.”
Other ways to say it
- formal
annyeonghi gyesipsio
A very formal “goodbye, please stay well,” said to people staying behind.
When to use it: Use it when leaving a formal setting and addressing elders, superiors, or an audience.
- casual
annyeong
A casual “bye” to close friends or people younger than you.
When to use it: Use it when you are leaving and saying goodbye to close friends, children, or younger people.
- polite
meonjeo galgeyo
A soft “I’ll be going first,” used as a goodbye when others are staying.
When to use it: Use it when leaving a group, meal, or workplace while others remain; it sounds considerate.
- friendly
jal isseoyo
An informal-polite “stay well/bye” to someone you are leaving behind.
When to use it: Use it to friends or close peers you are leaving behind, not to superiors.
- friendly
daeume tto bwayo
A friendly “see you next time” rather than a final goodbye.
When to use it: Use it when you are leaving but expect or hope to meet the person again.
In a conversation
- A
. .
Geureom jeo meonjeo gabolkkeyo. Annyeonghi gyeseyo.
Then I’ll head off first. Goodbye—please stay well.
- B
, . .
Ne, annyeonghi gaseyo. Josimhaeseo deureogaseyo.
Yes, goodbye—go well. Get home safely.
Common mistakes
안녕히 가세요→ 안녕히 계세요가세요 means “go well” and is said to the person who is leaving, not to the person staying behind.
잘 가요→ 잘 있어요잘 가요 tells the other person to go well, so it fits only when they are the one leaving.