What does 반가워 (bangawo) mean?
- 반가워bangawo
Nice to see you
Casual: friends and people younger than you
반가워 (bangawo) means "nice to meet you" or "good to see you" in Korean. It is casual, so you say it to friends, people your age or younger. It shows you are happy to see someone.
Where it comes from
It comes from 반갑다 (bangapda), "to be glad to see someone." 반가워 is its casual present form.
How to use 반가워
Use it with classmates, friends of friends and younger people. For someone older or a stranger, use 반가워요 or 반갑습니다.
It works for first meetings and for seeing someone after a long time. 반갑다! said on its own sounds like "so good to see you!"
Idols sometimes say 반가워 to fans in a friendly way, but in daily life it is not for people above you.
Examples
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Meeting a friend's friend
Replying to a new classmate
Running into an old friend
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| 만나서 반가워 | Nice to meet you | Casual full phrase. |
| 반가워요 | Nice to meet you | Polite. |
| 반갑습니다 | Nice to meet you | Formal. |
| 반갑다 | Good to see you! | Plain form, an exclamation. |
Questions learners ask
Can I say bangawo to someone older?
Not usually. Use 반가워요 or 반갑습니다 with anyone older or unfamiliar.
How do you reply to bangawo?
Say 나도 반가워 (nado bangawo), "nice to meet you too."