ahnnyonghasehyo

Ahnnyonghasehyo is a phonetic romanization of the Korean greeting 안녕하세요. This phrase is the standard and most common way to say "hello" in Korean. It is a polite and formal greeting, suitable for most situations, including when addressing elders, strangers, or in professional settings. The literal translation of 안녕하세요 is closer to "Are you well?" or "Are you at peace?". The greeting is a combination of the verb 안녕하다 (annyeonghada), meaning to be well or peaceful, and the polite interrogative ending 십니까 (simnika). Over time, the pronunciation has evolved to the commonly heard "ahnnyonghasehyo". While it is often used as a simple "hello," its underlying meaning conveys a wish for the other person's well-being. A more casual form of greeting, typically used among close friends or those younger than oneself, is 안녕 (annyeong).