Chuseok Greetings: Best Korean Phrases for Texts, KakaoTalk, and Conversations

🌕 What to Say During Chuseok (추석) in Korea

Hello! I’m Hangeulia ^-^
Chuseok (추석 – Korea’s harvest festival) is just around the corner. If you’re not sure what to text or say to coworkers, friends, or family, here’s a helpful list of Korean greetings with romanization + English meaning. ^^

Before we dive into the actual phrases, let’s quickly look at what “Chuseok” and “Hangawi” mean.
Chuseok is Korea’s most important autumn holiday, while Hangawi (한가위) is the traditional Korean word for the same festival. Koreans use both terms interchangeably. Typically, Hangawi appears more often in texts, greeting cards, or formal phrases, whereas Chuseok is common in both messages and everyday conversation.
This guide is written to help travelers, Korean learners, and anyone curious about Korean culture understand and use natural Chuseok greetings with confidence — not just memorize textbook lines. :)

💛 Culture Tip: During Chuseok, Koreans usually travel to their gohyang (고향 – hometown), visit ancestral graves (seongmyo), perform charye/jesa (차례/제사 – ancestral rites), make and share songpyeon (송편 – half-moon rice cakes), and look up at the full moon to make a wish 🌕. That’s why many greetings include phrases like “just like the full moon (보름달처럼)”.

💙 Pronunciation Tip:
Chuseok sounds like choo-seok (not “chu-seok”), and Hangawi is pronounced han-ga-wee. You can say either word in your greeting — both are natural. ^^

Beyond pronunciation, there’s also a beautiful meaning behind the images you see in Chuseok messages. In Korean tradition, the full harvest moon symbolizes abundance, family unity, and well-being. That’s why so many Chuseok greetings compare happiness, health, and blessings to a bright round moon. When you see “보름달처럼 (like the full moon)” in a message, it’s a very warm and poetic way to wish someone well. :)

Below, you’ll find KakaoTalk/text greetings and conversation phrases organized by situation. These are real expressions that Koreans (including me!) actually use, not just textbook lines. Each phrase includes romanization and a natural English translation, so you can easily use them in messages or casual chats during the holiday. ^^

In this post, you’ll learn:

• Quick & easy Chuseok greetings you can use right away
• Polite text & KakaoTalk messages for coworkers and acquaintances
• Casual messages for close friends and family
• Simple conversation phrases to say in person before the holiday

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💜 Quick & Easy Chuseok Greetings

To start, let’s look at some short and easy greetings you can use right away. If you just want something short and simple, here are the most common go-to phrases Koreans use. You can send these in KakaoTalk, text messages, or say them in person. :)

• 즐거운 추석 보내세요.
  Jeulgeoun Chuseok bonaeseyo.
  (Enjoy your Chuseok!)


• 한가위 잘 보내세요.
  Hangawi jal bonaeseyo.
  (Have a happy Hangawi.)


• 연휴 잘 보내세요.
  Yeonhyu jal bonaeseyo.
  (Have a good holiday break.)

💛 Quick Tip: Use “~하세요 / ~되세요" and “~하시길 바랍니다 / ~바랍니다” with coworkers, teachers, or anyone you don’t speak banmal (casual speech) with. Use “~해 / ~보내” with close friends and younger people. :)

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💜 For Texts & KakaoTalk

Once you’re comfortable with these short greetings, you can try slightly longer messages that sound more polished and thoughtful.

❤ Coworkers & Acquaintances

💛 Quick Tip – Formal Style:
Messages ending with “~되세요”, “~하시길 바랍니다”, or “기원합니다” sound polite and professional. Perfect for bosses, coworkers, clients, teachers, and people you know through work.

• 보름달처럼 풍성한 한가위 보내시길 바랍니다.
  Boreumdal-cheoreom pungseonghan Hangawi bonaesigil baramnida.
  (Wishing you a bountiful Chuseok, full like the harvest moon.)


• 둥근 보름달처럼 넉넉하고 풍요로운 한가위 되세요.
  Dunggeun boreumdal-cheoreom neokneokhago pungyoroun Hangawi doeseyo.
  (May your Chuseok be generous and abundant, just like the full moon.)


• 고향 조심히 내려가시고, 가족들과 즐거운 시간 보내시길 바랍니다.
  Gohyang josimhi naeryeogashigo, gajokdeulgwa jeulgeoun sigan bonaesigil baramnida.
  (Safe travels to your hometown and have a joyful time with your family.)


• 귀향길 운전 조심하시고, 건강한 한가위 되세요.
  Gwihyanggil unjeon josimhasi-go, geonganghan Hangawi doeseyo.
  (Drive safely on your way home and have a healthy Chuseok.)


• 밝은 보름달처럼 밝고 따뜻한 한가위 되시길 바랍니다.
  Balgeun boreumdal-cheoreom balkgo ttatteuthan Hangawi doesigil baramnida.
  (May your Chuseok be as bright and warm as the full moon.)


• 언제나 건강하시고 풍요로운 한가위 보내시길 바랍니다.
  Eonjena geonganghashigo pungyoroun Hangawi bonaesigil baramnida.
  (Wishing you good health always and a plentiful Chuseok.)


• 보름달처럼 행복 가득한 한가위 보내세요.
  Boreumdal-cheoreom haengbok gadeukhan Hangawi bonaeseyo.
  (May your Chuseok be filled with happiness like the full moon.)


• 사랑하는 가족과 뜻 깊은 한가위 보내시길 바랍니다.
  Saranghaneun gajokgwa tteut gipeun Hangawi bonaesigil baramnida.
  (Wishing you a meaningful Chuseok with your beloved family.)


• 꽉 찬 보름달처럼 웃음 가득한 한가위 보내세요.
  Kkwak-chan boreumdal-cheoreom useum gadeukhan Hangawi bonaeseyo.
  (May your Chuseok be full of smiles like the full harvest moon.)


• 둥근 보름달처럼 건강과 행복이 가득한 한가위 보내시길 바랍니다.
  Dunggeun boreumdal-cheoreom geonganggwa haengboki gadeukhan Hangawi bonaesigil baramnida.
  (Wishing you a Chuseok full of health and happiness, like the round full moon.)


• 마음이 넉넉해지는 풍성한 추석 되시길 기원합니다.
  Maeumi neokneokhaejineun pungseonghan Chuseok doesigil giwonhamnida.
  (Wishing you a Chuseok that fills your heart with warmth and abundance.)


• 추석 잘 보내시고, 평안한 연휴 보내시길 바랍니다.
  Chuseok jal bonaesigo, pyeonganhan yeonhyu bonaesigil baramnida.
  (Wishing you a happy Chuseok and a peaceful holiday break.)


• 보름달처럼 환하게 웃는 추석 보내시길 바랍니다.
  Boreumdal-cheoreom hwanhage usneun Chuseok bonaesigil baramnida.
  (May your Chuseok be as bright and joyful as the smiling full moon.)

❤ Friends

💛 Casual Style with Friends:
With close friends, Koreans often drop formal endings and use banmal (반말) like “보내”, “다녀와”, “푹 쉬어”. These feel friendly and warm, not rude, as long as you’re already on casual terms. :)

• 가족들과 즐거운 시간 보내.
  Gajokdeulgwa jeulgeoun sigan bonae.
  (Have a great time with your family.)


• 맛있는 거 많이 먹고 즐거운 추석 보내.
  Masinneun geo mani meokgo jeulgeoun Chuseok bonae.
  (Eat lots of delicious food and enjoy Chuseok!)


• 본가 조심히 잘 다녀와.
  Bonga josimhi jal danyeowa.
  (Have a safe trip to your parents’ place.)


• 여행 잘 다녀오고 가족들과 즐거운 시간 보내.
  Yeohaeng jal danyeo-ogo gajokdeulgwa jeulgeoun sigan bonae.
  (Have a great trip and a lovely time with your family.)

💛 Culture Tip – Group KakaoTalk Chats: In Korea, it’s common to send a group greeting in a KakaoTalk chatroom on the morning of Chuseok or right before the holiday begins. Messages like “즐거운 한가위 되세요~ (Have a joyful Hangawi!)” are often shared in company, club, or family group chats. ^^

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💜 For Conversations

So far, we’ve focused on what to type in messages. But what about when you meet people face to face before the holiday?

❤ Coworkers & Acquaintances

💛 Quick Tip – At the Office or School:
When you say goodbye before the holiday, a simple “추석 잘 보내세요” or “연휴 잘 보내세요” is more than enough. You can add “다음 주에 뵐게요” (See you next week) to sound extra friendly and natural. :)

• 추석 잘 보내세요.
  Chuseok jal bonaeseyo.
  (Have a happy Chuseok.)


• 연휴 잘 보내세요.
  Yeonhyu jal bonaeseyo.
  (Enjoy your holiday break.)


• 운전 조심히 잘 다녀오세요.
  Unjeon josimhi jal danyeo-oseyo.
  (Drive safely and take care.)


• 다음 주에 뵐게요~ 추석 잘 보내세요.
  Daeum jue boelgeyo~ Chuseok jal bonaeseyo.
  (See you next week! Have a great Chuseok.)

❤ Friends

• 추석 잘 보내.
  Chuseok jal bonae.
  (Happy Chuseok!)


• 연휴 잘 보내.
  Yeonhyu jal bonae.
  (Have a good holiday.)


• 운전 조심히 잘 다녀와.
  Unjeon josimhi jal danyeowa.
  (Drive safe.)


• 맛있는 거 많이 먹고 푹 쉬어.
  Masinneun geo mani meokgo puk swieo.
  (Eat lots of good food and get plenty of rest.)


• 여행 잘 다녀와.
  Yeohaeng jal danyeowa.
  (Have a great trip.)

💛 When NOT to go too poetic:
Phrases with “보름달처럼” are beautiful, but they can feel a bit too formal or poetic in very casual, short in-person chats. With friends, a simple “추석 잘 보내~” or “연휴 잘 쉬어~” is often more natural. ^^

Now you’ve got short greetings, text messages, and in-person phrases all ready to go. All that’s left is to send them with a warm heart. ♥

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💜 Chuseok Greetings FAQ

If you’re unsure what to say, when to send a message, or how formal you should be, these quick Q&A will help you sound natural during Chuseok. ^^

Q1. Is “Happy Chuseok” natural to say in Korea?
A: Koreans will understand “Happy Chuseok!” and it’s fine in English messages. But in Korea, people usually say “즐거운 추석 보내세요” or “추석 잘 보내세요”. If you’re texting a Korean friend or coworker, you can write something like:
Happy Chuseok! 즐거운 추석 보내세요. ^^

Q2. What’s the difference between “Chuseok” and “Hangawi”?
A: They refer to the same holiday. “Chuseok” (추석) is the word you’ll hear most in daily conversation, while “Hangawi” (한가위) is a more traditional, poetic term often used in written greetings, ads, or formal messages. You can safely use either in your texts. :)

Q3. Should foreigners send Chuseok greetings to Korean coworkers or friends?
A: Yes, absolutely! Most Koreans feel really touched when non-Koreans remember their holiday. A simple message like “즐거운 추석 보내세요~” or “Have a great Chuseok with your family!” is more than enough and feels very warm.

Q4. When is the best time to send Chuseok greetings?
A: Common times are the day before Chuseok, the morning of the holiday, or the last workday before the break. There’s no strict rule, so don’t worry too much — anything around the holiday period is fine. ^^

Q5. How do I know whether to use polite or casual speech?
A: Use polite endings like “~하세요 / ~되세요 / ~바랍니다” for coworkers, teachers, bosses, and anyone older or not close to you. Use casual forms like “~해 / ~보내 / ~쉬어” only with close friends, younger people, or family members you normally use banmal with.

Q6. Is it okay to use emojis in Chuseok greetings?
A: Yes! In KakaoTalk and texts, emojis like ^^, 😊, 🌕, 💛 are very common and friendly. For very formal messages to a boss or client, many people either skip emojis or use just one soft one (like ^^ or :) ) at the end.

Q7. Is one short line enough, or do I need a long message?
A: One short line is totally fine. Koreans often send simple phrases like:
“즐거운 한가위 되세요~” or “추석 잘 보내세요!” You don’t have to write a long paragraph — a short, sincere greeting is more than enough. 💛

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💜 Final Thoughts

Even a short message, when it carries your heart, makes the holiday feel warmer. ^^
Whether you text a coworker or wish friends safe travels, a few kind words go a long way. Under the 🌕 full moon, wish for health and happiness — that’s the heart of Chuseok.

Even if you’re far from Korea, sending one of these greetings to your Korean friends or coworkers can make them feel really touched — because you remembered their holiday and tried using Korean just for them. 너무 감동이죠 >_<

꽉 찬 보름달처럼 웃음 가득한 한가위 보내세요.^^💗

With love,
한글리아😊
Thank you always for reading, and I hope this guide brings a little 더 따뜻한 추석 vibe to your day. ^^

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🌕 More Chuseok Stories

If you enjoyed this post, here are more Chuseok guides and tips you might like ^^

• ✨ Where to Go in Seoul During Chuseok — Best Places to Visit
• 💌 Chuseok Greetings in Korean — Messages & Conversation Phrases
• 🍽️ What to Know About Chuseok Food — 13 Dishes from a Real Korean Home
• 🎬 7 Must-Watch Korean Movies for Chuseok