8 polite ways to end a text conversation in Korean
On KakaoTalk the awkward moment is not starting a conversation but ending one. Korean chats rarely stop dead; they wind down with a signal word, a reason, a wish for the other person, and often a sticker where a sentence would feel heavy.
These eight closers cover the common cases in polite 요 speech, with one formal 습니다 line for work and a note on where casual speech takes over. The order runs from a quick pause to a proper good night.
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그럼 이따 봐요.
geureom itta bwayo.
See you later, then.
그럼 (then, in that case) is the signal that you are wrapping up, and Koreans listen for it. 이따 is later today; for another day use 다음에 or name the day.
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저 이제 가 봐야 해요.
jeo ije ga bwaya haeyo.
I have to go now.
Literally: I now must go and see.
가 봐야 해요 is softer than 가야 해요 (must go) because the 봐 makes it tentative. Add a reason if you like, but Koreans do not expect one in a chat.
Ask Ipsae about this phrase → -
나중에 다시 연락할게요.
najunge dasi yeollakalgeyo.
I will message you again later.
-(으)ㄹ게요 is a promise, so only use it if you mean to. It is the standard way to pause a conversation you want to pick up, especially a practical one.
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얘기 나눠서 즐거웠어요.
yaegi nanwoseo jeulgeowosseoyo.
It was nice talking with you.
Literally: Sharing talk, it was enjoyable.
A slightly formal closer for someone you have just met or an acquaintance. With a friend it would sound stiff; there you would just send a sticker.
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넵, 확인했어요.
nep, hwaginhaesseoyo.
Got it, noted.
넵 is the texting-only yes, a cheerful 네 that lives in work chats. 네 alone can read flat, 넹 is cute and casual. 확인했어요 (I have checked it) closes a thread about logistics.
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네, 알겠습니다. 감사합니다.
ne, algetseumnida. gamsahamnida.
Understood, thank you.
The formal 습니다 ending for a boss, a client or anyone senior. Once you have sent this, the conversation is closed and the senior person is not expected to reply.
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푹 쉬세요.
puk swiseyo.
Rest well.
The evening closer for anyone you address with 요, including people older than you. In the morning the equivalent is 좋은 하루 보내세요 (have a good day).
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잘 자요. 내일 또 얘기해요.
jal jayo. naeil tto yaegihaeyo.
Good night. Let's talk again tomorrow.
For someone you text daily. 잘 자요 is polite; with close friends it becomes 잘 자 in casual speech (반말), and 내일 또 얘기해요 leaves the door open rather than slamming it.
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If a sentence feels like too much, Koreans end with an 이모티콘 (a KakaoTalk sticker) or a bare ㅎㅎ, and leaving the other person's sticker unanswered is not rude; it is how most chats actually finish. The exception is a message from someone senior, which gets a worded reply every time.