How to say “I'm home” in Korean
- 다녀왔습니다danyeowatseumnida
I'm home
"I'm home" in Korean is 다녀왔습니다 (danyeowatseumnida), literally "I have been out and come back". Kids say it to their parents every day when they walk in. With friends or roommates, 나 왔어 (na wasseo) is enough.
Ways to say it
| Korean | Level | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| 다녀왔습니다 danyeowatseumnida | Formal | What you say walking into your family home, especially to parents or grandparents. |
| 다녀왔어요 danyeowasseoyo | Polite | A slightly softer polite version, common in many families. |
| 다녀왔어 danyeowasseo | Casual | To a partner, sibling or roommate. |
| 나 왔어 na wasseo | Casual | "I'm here" or "I'm back". Very casual and very common. |
| 집에 도착했어요 jibe dochakaesseoyo | Polite | "I've arrived home." What you text someone who asked you to let them know you got home. |
Examples
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Walking in after school
Coming home to your roommate
Texting a friend after a night out
Tips
Leaving and coming home come as a pair: 다녀오겠습니다 (danyeoogesseumnida, "I'll be back") when you head out, and 다녀왔습니다 when you return.
Family usually answers with 왔어? (wasseo?, "you're back?"), 다녀왔어? or 어서 와 (eoseo wa, "welcome back").
Friends often say 집에 도착하면 연락해 (jibe dochakamyeon yeollakae), "text me when you get home". Answer with 집에 도착했어 (jibe dochakaesseo).
Questions learners ask
What do you say back when someone says 다녀왔습니다?
Common replies are 왔어? (wasseo?), 다녀왔어? (danyeowasseo?) or 어서 와 (eoseo wa), all meaning roughly "welcome back".
What do Koreans say when leaving the house?
They say 다녀오겠습니다 (danyeoogesseumnida), "I'll go and come back". Family replies 잘 다녀와 (jal danyeowa), "have a good day".