How to say “Welcome” in Korean
- 어서 오세요eoseo oseyo
Welcome (come on in)
"Welcome" in Korean is 어서 오세요 (eoseo oseyo), which you will hear every time you walk into a shop or restaurant. For signs, events and speeches Koreans use 환영합니다 (hwanyeonghamnida), and at home with friends simply 어서 와 (eoseo wa).
Ways to say it
| Korean | Level | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| 어서 오세요 eoseo oseyo | Polite | "Come on in." Said by shop and restaurant staff, and by hosts welcoming guests. |
| 환영합니다 hwanyeonghamnida | Formal | "We welcome you." For signs, events, ceremonies and formal speeches. |
| 환영해요 hwanyeonghaeyo | Polite | A softer, polite "you're welcome here", for a new member of a class or club. |
| 어서 와 eoseo wa | Casual | To a friend, partner or younger family member arriving at your place. |
| 어서 오십시오 eoseo osipsio | Formal | Very formal, used in hotels, department stores and high-end restaurants. |
Examples
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A restaurant greeting a customer
A banner at the airport
A friend arriving at your door
Tips
When staff say 어서 오세요, you don't need to answer. A smile, a nod or 안녕하세요 is plenty.
This page is about welcoming someone. "You're welcome" after a thank you is different: Koreans say 아니에요 (anieyo) or 천만에요 (cheonmaneyo).
어서 literally means "quickly", but here it just adds warmth, like "come right in".
More on 어서 오세요 in our Korean phrase guides.
Questions learners ask
How do you say welcome to Korea in Korean?
Say 한국에 오신 것을 환영합니다 (hanguge osin geoseul hwanyeonghamnida).
What should I say back when a shop says eoseo oseyo?
Nothing is required. You can nod, smile or say 안녕하세요.
Is welcome the same as you're welcome in Korean?
No. For "you're welcome" after thanks, say 아니에요 (anieyo) or 천만에요 (cheonmaneyo).