How to End a Letter in Korean: A Guide to Closing Your Correspondence Properly
Korean culture places a strong emphasis on formalities and respect, especially in written communication. Whether you are writing a business letter, a personal letter, or an email, it is crucial to end your letter in a way that reflects the appropriate level of formality and respect. In this article, we will provide you with a guide on how to end a letter in Korean, ensuring that your correspondence is both polite and professional.
1. Expressing Gratitude or Appreciation
One common way to end a letter in Korean is by expressing gratitude or appreciation. This can be done by using phrases like “감사합니다” (gan-sa-ham-ni-da), which means “Thank you.” If you want to show a deeper level of gratitude, you can use “많이 감사합니다” (ma-li gan-sa-ham-ni-da), meaning “Thank you very much.” Additionally, you can include a specific reason for your gratitude, such as “당신의 도움에 감사합니다” (dang-sin-e do-hom-be gan-sa-ham-ni-da), which translates to “Thank you for your help.”
2. Closing with a Polite Expression
In Korean, it is customary to use polite expressions when ending a letter. One popular phrase is “안녕히 계세요” (an-nyeong-hi-gi gye-se-yo), which means “Please take care.” This expression is suitable for both formal and informal letters. Another option is “안녕히 계셔요” (an-nyeong-hi-gi gye-se-yo), which is the polite form of the same phrase. You can also use “감사합니다” (gan-sa-ham-ni-da) followed by “안녕히 계세요” to create a more formal closing.
3. Using a Formal Closing
If you are writing a formal letter, it is essential to use a formal closing. One common phrase is “감사합니다. 복헌합니다” (gan-sa-ham-ni-da. bok-hun-ham-ni-da), which translates to “Thank you. Respectfully.” Another option is “감사합니다. 이상 보고드립니다” (gan-sa-ham-ni-da. i-sang bo-go-duri-pni-da), meaning “Thank you. I will report back.” These expressions convey respect and indicate that you are looking forward to a future interaction.
4. Closing with a Personal Greeting
In some cases, you may want to end your letter with a personal greeting. You can use “감사합니다. 또 다른 글을 기다리겠습니다” (gan-sa-ham-ni-da. ot-to dan-ren geul-eul gi-da-ri-ge-sa-mi-da), which means “Thank you. I look forward to your next letter.” This expression is suitable for both formal and informal letters and shows that you value the ongoing communication.
5. Adding a P.S. at the End
If you have something additional to say or forgot to mention something in your letter, you can use a postscript (P.S.) to include it. In Korean, you can write “P.S.” as “P.S.” followed by your additional message. For example, “P.S. 당신의 이메일 주소를 기억해 주세요” (P.S. dang-sin-e i-me-eul ju-so-ro geu-ik-kye-oh ju-se-yo), which means “P.S. Please remember my email address.”
In conclusion, ending a letter in Korean requires attention to the appropriate level of formality and respect. By using the suggested expressions and phrases, you can ensure that your correspondence is both polite and professional. Remember to choose the right closing based on the context of your letter and the relationship with the recipient.
