Welcome in Korean. Usually, ‘어서와,’ ‘어서오세요,’ ‘환영해,’ and ‘환영합니다’ are commonly used to convey the meaning of ‘welcome.’
Let’s refer to the video below.
Created a brief video about various ways to say ‘welcome’ in Korean.
The pronunciation of ‘어서와’ and ‘어서오세요’ is a bit challenging, but it seems like I’ve managed to pronounce ‘환영해’ and ‘환영하세요’ fairly well.
“어서와” and “어서오세요” are both Korean expressions used to welcome someone. Here’s an explanation in English:
“어서와” and “어서오세요” are both Korean expressions used to welcome someone.
- “어서와” (Eoseowa): This is an informal and friendly way of saying “welcome.” It is commonly used among friends or in casual situations to greet someone in a warm and welcoming manner. It’s like saying, “Come on in” or “You’re welcome here.”
- “어서오세요” (Eoseo oseyo): This is a more formal and polite expression for “welcome.” It is used in formal settings, such as welcoming guests to a business establishment, a restaurant, or your home. It conveys a sense of politeness and hospitality, similar to saying, “Please come in” or “Welcome, honored guest.”
These expressions are chosen based on the level of formality and familiarity with the person or group you are welcoming, with “어서와” being less formal and “어서오세요” being more formal and polite.
In addition to “어서와” and “어서오세요,” there are two more Korean expressions commonly used to welcome someone in a formal and polite manner
- “환영해” (Hwan-yeong-hae): This phrase is a polite and standard way to say “welcome” in Korean. It is used in various formal settings such as welcoming guests to a corporate event, a conference, or any professional context. “환영해” conveys a sense of warmth and hospitality while maintaining a level of formality. It can be thought of as the Korean equivalent of “welcome.”
- “환영합니다” (Hwan-yeong-ham-ni-da): This is a more formal and respectful version of “welcome.” It is often used in official or ceremonial occasions to extend a gracious welcome. “환영합니다” is appropriate when showing respect to honored guests or dignitaries, and it can be compared to saying “We warmly welcome you” in English.
These expressions, “환영해” and “환영합니다,” are selected based on the level of formality and the importance of the occasion. They both convey a sense of cordiality and politeness, making them suitable for formal events and situations where respect and decorum are essential.
In summary, ‘welcome’ is a versatile word in English that can be expressed in Korean with different emotions and tones, ranging from friendly to formal.
