Getting the hang of the Korean language starts with mastering the basics, and what's more fundamental than saying “thank you”? In Korea, a country where respect and politeness are woven into the very fabric of society, knowing how to express gratitude is your golden ticket to warm welcomes and appreciative nods. In this article, you’ll learn how to say “thank you” in Korean and all of the nuances that come along with it.
Before we start with the specific phrases, let’s set the stage. Politeness in Korea isn’t just nice to have; it’s expected. It's a way of showing respect and maintaining harmony within the community. Whether you’re thanking your server at a beautiful restaurant in Seoul or your host for their hospitality, the version of “thank you” you choose speaks volumes about your understanding of Korean decorum.
You wouldn’t chat with your boss using the same casual lingo you’d use with your close friends, right? Similarly, Koreans have different levels of formality for saying thank you. In each example of saying thanks, we’ll also take note of the formality level. Okay, let’s get started!
Let’s kick off with the staple of gratitude: 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida). This is your go-to, the bread and butter of thank-yous. It’s formal enough to be used with strangers, elders, and in professional settings. It's like wearing a smart outfit — you can't go wrong with it at a formal gathering.
Pronunciation tip: gam-sa-ham-ni-da
Scenario: You just received your meal at a restaurant, and the server is beaming at your satisfaction. A respectful nod and a “gamsahamnida” will return the warmth.
Now, if you’re among friends or people younger than you, you can tone down the formality. 고마워 (gomawo) is what you'd use. It’s the equivalent of a casual thumbs up — relaxed but still appreciative.
Pronunciation tip: go-ma-wo
Scenario: Your friend just passed you a snack while you're both lounging around at their place. A smile and a “gomawo” keeps it friendly and chill.
Next up, we have the polite thank you, which strikes a balance between formal and informal: 고마워요 (gomawoyo). It’s formal but has a lighter touch, like choosing a business casual outfit for a semi-formal event.
Pronunciation tip: go-ma-wo-yo
Scenario: Imagine you’re at a small local shop, and the owner helps you find an item you’ve been scouring the shelves for. “Gomawoyo” acknowledges their effort with just the right mix of politeness and warmth.
For the moments that call for a laid-back vibe with people your age or in a non-hierarchical context, you've got casual thank yous in your arsenal. For instance, 고마워 (gomawo) is informal and friendly, something you'd say after your pal shares a hilarious meme.
Pronunciation tip: go-ma-wo
Scenario: Your Korean friend just sent you the latest viral K-pop dance challenge, and you’re both cracking up. A quick “gomawo” in your chat keeps the fun rolling.
For times when you feel deeply moved or want to express sincere gratitude, you can say: 진심으로 감사합니다 (jinsimeuro gamsahamnida).
Pronunciation tip: jin-sim-eu-ro gam-sa-ham-ni-da
Scenario: After a local helps you find your way back to your hotel in a confusing neighborhood, you might want to express your deep gratitude with “jinsimeuro gamsahamnida.”
When someone has gone out of their way to help you, and you want to acknowledge their significant effort, you can say: 큰 도움이 되었습니다 (keun doumi doeeotseumnida).
Pronunciation tip: keun do-um-i doe-eoss-seum-ni-da
Scenario: If a Korean colleague has just spent hours helping you with a work project, this phrase would be an appropriate way to express your appreciation for their substantial help.
After enjoying a meal, especially if someone has treated you, it’s customary to say: 잘 먹었습니다 (jal meogeotseumnida), which means "I ate well," but is understood as a thank you for the meal.
Pronunciation tip: jal meok-eoss-seum-ni-da
Scenario: At the end of a dinner that your Korean friend’s family hosted for you, saying “jal meogeotseumnida” shows your appreciation for the meal and hospitality.
In a work environment, to show appreciation for someone's hard work, the phrase 수고하셨습니다 (sugohasyeotseumnida) is often used.
Pronunciation tip: su-go-ha-syeot-seum-ni-da
Scenario: When your team has put in extra hours to meet a deadline, a leader might say “sugohasyeotseumnida” to acknowledge the team’s effort.
If you're asking for a favor and want to thank the person in advance for what they're going to do, you might use 미리 감사합니다 (miri gamsahamnida).
Pronunciation tip: mi-ri gam-sa-ham-ni-da
Scenario: You’re asking a neighbor to look after your plants while you’re away on a trip. “Miri gamsahamnida” shows you’re grateful even before they’ve done the favor.
When you're in a highly respectful situation, particularly with elders, you can use 감사드립니다 (gamsadeurimnida), which is a very respectful way to say thank you.
Pronunciation tip: gam-sa-deu-rim-ni-da
Scenario: After receiving a thoughtful gift from your elder relative, you can say “gamsadeurimnida” to show your utmost respect and thanks.
In Korea, bowing is a non-verbal way of showing respect and thankfulness. A slight nod of the head or a deep bow can accompany the verbal expression of thanks. The depth of the bow correlates with the level of gratitude or respect; the deeper the bow, the more respect you show.
Scenario example: Imagine you're leaving a job interview. You’ve already said “감사합니다” (gamsahamnida) to the interview panel, but as you leave, you give a respectful bow to reinforce your gratitude for the opportunity. This action solidifies your appreciation and leaves a lasting impression.
In Korean culture, a bow is indeed the most common and significant gesture to convey respect and thanks. However, it is not the only form of body language used to express gratitude.
Here are a few more subtle and nuanced ways to say “thank you” in Korean:
Receiving with both hands: When accepting a business card or gift, or even when receiving change from a cashier, using both hands is a sign of respect and thanks.
Hand on the forearm or arm: While handing over something or receiving it with one hand, Koreans often support the wrist or forearm with their other hand, which is a gesture that shows sincerity and gratitude.
Direct eye contact: Making gentle eye contact when saying "thank you" can indicate sincerity. However, in more formal or traditional settings, particularly with elders or those in higher social positions, avoiding direct eye contact while bowing can be a sign of deference and respect.
Smiling: A warm, genuine smile goes a long way in conveying friendliness and thanks. It can also make the verbal "thank you" seem more sincere.
Nodding: A slight nod or tilt of the head when expressing thanks is a subtle and informal way to acknowledge someone’s help or kindness.
Making a heart with fingers: Although it's more casual and has become globally known due to Korean pop culture, making a small heart by crossing the thumb and index finger is a light-hearted, affectionate way to say thanks, especially among friends or in social media.
Understanding the common responses to gratitude is just as important as knowing how to say "Thank You" in Korean.
When someone thanks you in Korean, a polite response is “천만에요” (cheonmaneyo), which is akin to saying "You're welcome" in English.
Scenario example: Your Korean friend thanks you for sending a gift. You reply with “천만에요,” which expresses that it was your pleasure to give the gift.
Another less formal but still polite response is “괜찮아요” (gwaenchanayo), which means "It's okay" or "Don't mention it."
Scenario example: After helping a neighbor carry groceries, they say “감사합니다.” You reply with “괜찮아요,” implying that it was no trouble at all.
Refusing politely in Korean can be done by saying “아니에요, 감사합니다” (aniyo, gamsahamnida), which means "No, thank you."
Scenario example: If offered more food at a meal and you're full, you can say “아니에요, 감사합니다,” to decline respectfully while still expressing your thanks.
Before we wrap up, we want to share a few more ways to say “Thank You” in Korean.
A unique way to say “Thank You” in Korean, especially after a meal, is “잘 먹었습니다” (jal meogeotseumnida), which translates to "I ate well," but it's a formal way to thank someone for the meal.
Scenario example: After being invited to a home-cooked meal, it is polite to say “잘 먹었습니다” to the host as a way to show your appreciation for the food and their hospitality.
When with friends or in casual settings, you might hear “고마워” (gomawo) or the even more informal “고마웡” (gomawoong), which are slang versions of “Thank You” in Korean.
Scenario example: If a friend picks up something you dropped, a quick “고마워” is a casual yet friendly way to say thanks.
In the digital age, shorthand and abbreviations are common in text messaging. To say “Thank You” in Korean over text, many use “ㄱㅅ” which is an abbreviation derived from “감사” (gamsa), the first syllables of “감사합니다” (gamsahamnida).
Scenario example: If you’re in a hurry and receive a helpful text from a friend, a simple “ㄱㅅ” is a quick way to show your gratitude without being too formal.
By now, you should have a comprehensive understanding of how to say “Thank You” in Korean in various contexts. Whether you're using a formal expression in a business setting, sharing a meal with friends, or sending a quick text, these phrases and tips will ensure you can express gratitude appropriately in any situation.
Remember, in Korean culture, it's not just what you say but how you say it. Your tone, body language, and situational awareness play vital roles in conveying your message and showing that you value and respect the person you are thanking.
Did you find this article helpful? Why stop here? Learn how to say “Hello” in Korean, and learn how to say “Thank You” in more languages!
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