How to Say Thank You in Korean: Formal, Polite & Casual Phrases
Essential Korean Expressions
How to Say Thank You in Korean: Polite, Formal & Casual
Learn which Korean thank-you phrase to use with strangers, elders, coworkers, acquaintances, close friends, and family.
Lesson Summary
- 감사합니다 is the safest formal thank-you phrase.
- 고맙습니다 is also formal and may sound slightly warmer.
- 고마워요 is polite and friendly for peers or younger acquaintances.
- 고마워 is casual and reserved for close relationships.
- 아니에요 is a natural response meaning “It’s nothing” or “No problem.”
Learning how to say thank you in Korean helps you sound respectful and natural in cafés, shops, restaurants, workplaces, classrooms, and everyday conversations.
Korean gratitude expressions change according to formality and relationship, so choosing the right phrase is just as important as pronunciation.
Expressing gratitude is one of the most essential aspects of everyday social interaction in Korea. Knowing how to say thank you in Korean correctly allows you to build immediate rapport with native speakers, show respect to elders, and navigate daily situations smoothly—whether you are ordering coffee in Hongdae or receiving assistance from a stranger in Seoul.
Like greetings, expressing gratitude in Korean involves distinct speech levels ranging from formal honorifics (존댓말) to casual everyday slang (반말). Choosing the right variation depends on your age relative to the speaker, your social hierarchy, and how well you know them. In this complete beginner-friendly guide, we will break down the primary ways to say thank you in Korean, explain how to reply when someone thanks you, and share essential social etiquette to make your Korean sound natural and polite.
1. The Most Common Formal Thank You: 감사합니다 (Gam-sa-ham-ni-da)
If you have ever listened to Korean music, watched a K-drama, or visited a Korean restaurant, you have almost certainly heard 감사합니다 (Gam-sa-ham-ni-da). It is the gold standard for expressing formal, polite gratitude in Korea.
• Hangul: 감사합니다
• Pronunciation: Gahm-sah-hahm-nee-dah
• Politeness Level: Formal Honorific (합쇼체 - Hapsio-che)
• Literal Meaning: "I perform gratitude."
When to use it: Use this phrase with elders, teachers, bosses, taxi drivers, restaurant staff, strangers, and people you do not know well. Whenever you are unsure which phrase to choose, defaulting to 감사합니다 is always safe and universally appreciated.
Notice how 감사합니다 is written with the letter ㅂ in 합 (hap). Due to Korean nasalization rules, when ㅂ comes before ㄴ, its sound shifts from "P/B" to "M". That is why it is pronounced Gahm-sah-hahm-nee-dah rather than hap-nee-dah!
2. Alternative Formal Thank You: 고맙습니다 (Go-map-seum-ni-da)
Another very common formal way to express gratitude is 고맙습니다 (Go-map-seum-ni-da).
• Hangul: 고맙습니다
• Pronunciation: Go-mahp-seum-nee-dah
• Politeness Level: Formal Honorific (합쇼체 - Hapsio-che)
When to use it: Like 감사합니다, this phrase is formal and polite. While both can be used interchangeably in almost any professional or public setting, 고맙습니다 stems from native Korean roots, whereas 감사합니다 stems from Sino-Korean roots. Some native speakers feel 고맙습니다 carries a slightly warmer, more emotional tone.
3. Everyday Polite Thank You: 고마워요 (Go-ma-weo-yo) & 감사해요 (Gam-sa-hae-yo)
When speaking with colleagues of similar rank, younger acquaintances, or people you are friendly with, you can use the standard polite level ending in 요 (-yo).
| Phrase | Hangul | Pronunciation | Politeness & Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gomaweoyo | 고마워요 | Go-mah-weh-yo | Polite (Soft / Friendly): Ideal for peers, younger acquaintances, or informal work settings. |
| Gamsahaeyo | 감사해요 | Gahm-sah-heh-yo | Polite (Gentle): A slightly softer polite option, often used in casual conversation. |
4. Casual Thank You for Friends: 고마워 (Go-ma-weo)
When chatting with close friends, family members, or children, you can drop the polite suffix 요 and say 고마워 (Go-ma-weo).
• Hangul: 고마워
• Pronunciation: Go-mah-weh
• Politeness Level: Informal Casual (반말 - Ban-mal)
When to use it: Only use 고마워 with close friends of the same or younger age, siblings, or close younger relatives. Using this with an elder, teacher, or stranger is considered impolite.
Understanding the Difference: 감사 (Gamsa) vs. 고맙다 (Gomapda)
To master the nuances of how to say thank you in Korean, it helps to understand where these core words originate:
- 감사 (Gamsa): A Sino-Korean noun (感謝) meaning "thanks" or "gratitude." Because of its Sino-Korean roots, it is combined with 하다 (to do) to form formal verbs like 감사합니다 and 감사드립니다.
- 고맙다 (Gomapda): A pure native Korean adjective meaning "to be thankful." It conjugations into 고맙습니다 (formal), 고마워요 (polite), and 고마워 (casual).
If you want to say "Thank you very much" in a deeply respectful manner (e.g., to an elder on their birthday or to a senior executive), say 정말 감사드립니다 (Jeong-mal gam-sa-deu-rim-ni-da), which literally translates to "I humbly offer you my genuine thanks."
How to Say "Thank You Very Much" in Korean
To emphasize how thankful you are, simply place an adverb in front of your chosen expression of gratitude:
| Adverb | Hangul | Pronunciation | Combined Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Really / Truly | 정말 | Jeong-mal | 정말 감사합니다! (Jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da!) |
| Very / So much | 너무 | Neo-mu | 너무 고마워요! (Neo-mu go-ma-weo-yo!) |
| Extremely / Much | 대단히 | Dae-dan-hi | 대단히 감사합니다! (Dae-dan-hi gam-sa-ham-ni-da!) |
How to Reply to Thank You in Korean ("You're Welcome")
When someone thanks you in Korean, responding politely completes the interaction. Here are the 3 most natural ways to say "You're welcome":
1. 아니에요 (A-ni-e-yo) — "No problem / It's nothing" (Most Natural)
In real life, native speakers rarely use textbook translations for "you're welcome." Instead, they wave their hand slightly and say 아니에요 (A-ni-e-yo), which literally means "No, it's not at all!"
2. 천만에요 (Cheon-man-e-yo) — "You're Welcome" (Textbook Formal)
This is the literal translation of "you're welcome" taught in standard foreign language textbooks. While grammatically correct, it sounds somewhat dramatic or outdated in casual conversation.
3. 별말씀을요 (Byeol-mal-sseum-eul-yo) — "Don't mention it" (Polite Honorific)
A very elegant, polite expression used when an elder or superior thanks you for a favor.
Summary Comparison Table: Korean Thank You Phrases
| English Phrase | Hangul | Romanization | Speech Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thank you (Standard Formal) | 감사합니다 | Gam-sa-ham-ni-da | Formal (Safe for everyone) |
| Thank you (Warm Formal) | 고맙습니다 | Go-map-seum-ni-da | Formal |
| Thank you (Everyday Polite) | 고마워요 | Go-ma-weo-yo | Polite (Peers / Younger) |
| Thanks (Casual) | 고마워 | Go-ma-weo | Casual (Close friends) |
| Thank you very much | 정말 감사합니다 | Jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da | Formal Emphasis |
| You're welcome / No problem | 아니에요 | A-ni-e-yo | Polite Response |
Korean Culture Tips
- When unsure, use 감사합니다. It is respectful in most public situations.
- A slight bow or polite nod often accompanies formal gratitude.
- 아니에요 sounds more natural in daily conversation than the textbook phrase 천만에요.
- Using casual 고마워 with an elder or stranger can sound impolite.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Do not use 고마워 with strangers, elders, teachers, or supervisors.
- Do not assume 천만에요 is the most common reply; 아니에요 is usually more natural.
- Pronounce 감사합니다 naturally as gam-sa-ham-ni-da, following Korean sound-change rules.
- Keep the same politeness level throughout the conversation.
Quick Knowledge Check
Read through each scenario and choose the best way to say thank you in Korean.
Question 1: A bus driver in Seoul lets you off at your stop. What is the most natural, polite way to thank them?
A) 고마워 (Go-ma-weo)
B) 감사합니다 (Gam-sa-ham-ni-da)
C) 아니에요 (A-ni-e-yo)
Question 2: Your close childhood friend buys you a coffee. Which phrase is best?
A) 대단히 감사합니다 (Dae-dan-hi gam-sa-ham-ni-da)
B) 고마워 (Go-ma-weo)
C) 천만에요 (Cheon-man-e-yo)
Question 3: What does the popular phrase "아니에요 (A-ni-e-yo)" mean when someone thanks you?
A) You're welcome / No, it's nothing
B) Please give me more
C) Goodbye
Question 4: Why is 감사합니다 pronounced "Gahm-sah-hahm-nee-dah" instead of "hap-nee-dah"?
A) It is an exception with no rule
B) Korean nasalization turns the ㅂ sound into an M sound before ㄴ
C) It is informal slang
Show Answers
Answers:
1. B) 감사합니다 — Standard formal speech is respectful for service workers and strangers.
2. B) 고마워 — Casual speech (반말) is appropriate for close friends of similar age.
3. A) You're welcome / No problem! It is the most natural reply in daily Korean.
4. B) Korean nasalization rules! The ㅂ consonant sounds like M when followed by ㄴ.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common way to say thank you in Korean?
The most common and universally respectful way to say thank you in Korean is 감사합니다 (Gam-sa-ham-ni-da). You can use it with strangers, shop owners, elders, and colleagues.
Is there a difference between 감사합니다 and 고맙습니다?
Both are polite, formal, and interchangeable in almost all situations. 감사합니다 has Sino-Korean roots and is slightly more formal, while 고맙습니다 comes from native Korean and sounds slightly warmer.
How do you say thank you in Korean casually to friends?
To friends of the same age or younger people you are close with, say 고마워 (Go-ma-weo). Never use this with elders or strangers.
How do you respond when someone says thank you in Korean?
The most natural response is 아니에요 (A-ni-e-yo), accompanied by a polite smile or slight head nod. It literally means "No, it's nothing!"
Should I bow when saying thank you in Korean?
Yes! Bowing slightly (around 15 degrees) while saying 감사합니다 or 고맙습니다 shows sincere respect and is standard social etiquette in South Korea.
What does 고마워요 (Gomaweoyo) mean?
고마워요 is a polite, friendly way to say thank you. It is slightly less formal than 감사합니다 and works great when talking to peers or younger acquaintances.
Conclusion
Mastering how to say thank you in Korean is a powerful tool for connecting with people and showing respect in any Korean-speaking environment. When in doubt, always default to 감사합니다 (Gam-sa-ham-ni-da) paired with a slight bow. Practice using these expressions in your daily study routine, and you will feel far more confident in your Korean conversations!