Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 4: Informal Setting
• Method 2 of 4: Polite Form
• Method 3 of 4: Expressing gratitude in different situations
• Method 4 of 4: Responding to gratitude

There are several ways to say thank you in Korean. It all depends on the context and the position of the person you are thanking. We'll tell you everything you need to know.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Informal Setting

1. 1 Say go-ma-wah. This is the easiest way to thank someone, such as a friend.
   • Only good acquaintances, friends and relatives can say this word. If you use this word at a formal reception, at an interview, or when addressing an older person, then offend the interlocutor.
   • A more polite expression of gratitude is the same "go-ma-wa" with the addition of "yo" (요) at the end. But this is not the most polite address. It can be used with friends and classmates.
   • The first letter in this Korean word, the G, should sound very soft, almost like the K sound.
   • Hangul is written like this: 고마워.
2. 2 Say "kam-sa-he-yo." This is another way to thank loved ones and friends.
   • Adding “yo” (요) at the end makes it more polite. In any case, it is not recommended to use this expression in a formal setting.
   • The sound K in this phrase is pronounced as a cross between K and G, solid K.
   • It is written like this: 감사 해요.
3. 3 To politely refuse, say "ani-yo, quen-cha-na-yo." Translated as: "No thanks." This phrase can be used in any situation.
   • A more literal translation of this phrase: "Thank you, but everything is fine."
   • In Hangul it is written like this: 아니오, 괜찮아요.

Method 2 of 4: Polite Form

1. 1 Say "go-map-sym-no-yes". This is a more polite address. This phrase is used to thank a boss, an older person, or just a stranger.
   • This phrase is used in formal situations, but it is not the most formal address. The phrase can be used to thank teachers, parents, elders.But in order to express the greatest degree of appreciation and respect for a person, it is not enough.
   • The phrase can be used with strangers, especially if they are older than you.
   • This phrase can be used to thank the instructor, opponent in the game or employee.
   • The K sound at the beginning of the phrase is firm and pronounced almost like G.
   • In Hangul, the phrase is written like this: 고맙습니다.
2. 2 Express your gratitude by saying "kam-sa-ham-no-da." Translated as: "Thank you very much." This phrase can be used in any formal situation or in conversation with elders.
   • If you want to express the highest degree of respect, use this phrase. For example, in a conversation with older people, especially relatives, a boss, at a formal meeting, and so on.
   • This phrase is often used by taekwondo instructors.
   • Sound K is solid here.
   • Hangul is written like this: 감사 합니다.
   • To express the highest degree of gratitude, say "tedani kam-sa-ham-no-da." The first T sound is very hard, somewhere between T and D.
   • Great thanks can also be expressed by adding “no-mu” (너무), which means “very”.

Method 3 of 4: Expressing gratitude in different situations

1. 1 To thank you for a delicious breakfast or lunch, say "chal mog-gess-sim-no-da." This phrase is pronounced before a meal to thank the hostess or the chef for the prepared dish.
   • Literally translated as: "I will eat well." The word "thank you" does not appear in this phrase.
   • The first H sound is very soft.
   • Hangul is written like this: 잘 먹겠 습니다.
   • Say "chal mog-oss-sym-no-da" after eating. The particle "ges" (겠) changes to "os" (었). It turns out: "I ate well."

Method 4 of 4: Responding to gratitude

1. 1 Say kwen-cha-na. This is the most common response to gratitude. Used among friends in an informal setting.
   • Literal translation of the phrase: "Not at all."
   • To make the phrase more polite, add yo (요) at the end.
   • The H sound is something in between the C and C sound.
   • The original is written like this: 괜찮아.
2. 2 Say "ani-e-yo". This also means: "Not at all."
   • Literally translated as "no". That is, there is nothing to be thankful for.
   • The original is written like this: 아니에요.