What does 반갑습니다 (bangapseumnida) mean?
- 반갑습니다bangapseumnida
Nice to meet you
Formal: strangers, work, customers
반갑습니다 (bangapseumnida) means "nice to meet you" or "glad to see you" in Korean. It is the formal form, used when meeting someone for the first time, at work or in front of a group. The full phrase 만나서 반갑습니다 means "nice to meet you."
Where it comes from
It comes from the adjective 반갑다 (bangapda), "to be glad or happy to see someone," plus the formal ending 습니다. So it literally says "I am glad (to see you)."
How to use 반갑습니다
Use it at introductions, business meetings and when greeting an audience. It often follows 안녕하세요 and your name.
Unlike "nice to meet you," it is not only for first meetings. You can also say it warmly to someone you have not seen in a while.
For a slightly softer polite version, say 반가워요. With friends or younger people, say 반가워.
Examples
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Meeting a new coworker
A speaker greeting the audience
Replying to someone who greeted you first
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| 만나서 반갑습니다 | Nice to meet you | The full standard phrase. |
| 반가워요 | Nice to meet you | Polite, a little less stiff. |
| 반가워 | Nice to meet you | Casual. |
| 처음 뵙겠습니다 | How do you do | Very polite, only for a first meeting. |
| 저도 반갑습니다 | Nice to meet you too | The usual reply. |
Questions learners ask
How do you reply to bangapseumnida?
Say 저도 반갑습니다 (jeodo bangapseumnida), "nice to meet you too."
What is the difference between bangapseumnida and bangawoyo?
They mean the same thing. 반갑습니다 is formal, and 반가워요 is polite but softer and more friendly.