Korean phrases for writing to a friend
To write a friendly letter in Korean, start with 안녕하세요, share something you enjoy and ask an easy question. Use polite -요 endings with a new pen pal, then switch to casual speech when your friend does and you are both comfortable. A few short sentences are enough to begin.
Greetings, openings and choosing a tone
For a new pen pal, 안녕하세요 is a warm opening. Choose a greeting that fits a first letter or a reply.
존댓말 means polite speech; 반말 means casual speech. Start with polite -요 endings. If your friend switches to casual speech, follow when you both feel comfortable; ask first if unsure. Being the same age does not mean you must use 반말. The readings below follow Revised Romanisation; use Hangul in your letter.
- 안녕하세요! (annyeonghaseyo!): Hello! (polite)
- 만나서 반가워요. (mannaseo bangawoyo.): Nice to meet you. (polite)
- 편지 고마워요. (pyeonji gomawoyo.): Thank you for your letter. (polite)
- 안녕! (annyeong!): Hi! (casual, for a friend you use 반말 with)
Introduce yourself with a nickname and an interest
Give a nickname rather than your full name. Add something you would like to talk about, such as music or cooking. Copy an interest below if it is true for you.
제 별명은 …예요 means “My nickname is …” when the nickname ends in a vowel. Use …이에요 after a consonant: 제 별명은 샘이에요 means “My nickname is Sam.” Leave out the introduction when replying to someone who knows you.
- 제 별명은 모모예요. (je byeolmyeongeun momoyeyo.): My nickname is Momo.
- 저는 음악을 좋아해요. (jeoneun eumageul joahaeyo.): I like music.
- 저는 요리를 좋아해요. (jeoneun yorireul joahaeyo.): I like cooking.
- 한국어를 배우고 있어요. (hangugeoreul baeugo isseoyo.): I am learning Korean.
Ask something easy to answer
Choose a question about the interest you just mentioned. One question with room for a story is easier to reply to than a long list.
Keep questions about things your friend enjoys. Skip requests for a school name, daily timetable, phone number or exact location. A favourite meal or hobby gives you plenty to talk about.
- 어떤 음악을 좋아해요? (eotteon eumageul joahaeyo?): What kind of music do you like?
- 좋아하는 음식은 뭐예요? (joahaneun eumsigeun mwoyeyo?): What is your favourite food?
- 취미가 뭐예요? (chwimiga mwoyeyo?): What are your hobbies?
- 오늘 어땠어요? (oneul eottaesseoyo?): How was your day?
React to a story and add a warm word
A reply feels personal when you pick up something your friend said. Thank them for a song suggestion, or say that a hobby sounds fun. Add your own thought after the reaction.
정말요? is a polite “Really?”; 정말? is casual. 대박! is an informal, excited “Wow!” for good news or an impressive story. Avoid it when someone describes something upsetting. 고마워 is the casual form of 고마워요.
- 정말요? (jeongmaryo?): Really? (polite; casual: 정말? / jeongmal?)
- 대박! (daebak!): Wow! (informal, enthusiastic)
- 고마워요. (gomawoyo.): Thank you. (polite; casual: 고마워 / gomawo)
- 재미있겠어요! (jaemiitgesseoyo!): That sounds fun!
- 응원해요. (eungwonhaeyo.): I am cheering you on.
Closings and sign-offs
End with a warm line, then your nickname on the next line. You do not need to translate “Yours sincerely” for a friendly letter. Use the polite versions with a new friend; use the casual versions once you have agreed to use 반말.
답장 기다릴게요 says you look forward to a reply. Give your friend time to write back.
- 잘 지내세요. (jal jinaeseyo.): Take care. (polite)
- 또 편지할게요. (tto pyeonjihalgeyo.): I will write again. (polite)
- 답장 기다릴게요. (dapjang gidarilgeyo.): I look forward to your reply. (polite)
- 잘 지내. (jal jinae.): Take care. (casual)
- 또 편지할게. (tto pyeonjihalge.): I will write again. (casual)
- 답장 기다릴게. (dapjang gidarilge.): I look forward to your reply. (casual)
A short Korean letter to try
Photos between people who met by letter need 5 messages from each side and the receiver’s yes first.
This example stays polite from hello to sign-off. Change the nickname and interests to your own. For help with your Korean, add the sentence below.
- 틀린 표현이 있으면 알려 주세요. (teullin pyohyeoni isseumyeon allyeo juseyo.): Please let me know if I use an incorrect expression.
안녕하세요! 제 별명은 모모예요. 저는 음악을 좋아해요. 한국어를 배우고 있어요. 어떤 음악을 좋아해요? 답장 기다릴게요. 모모