How to say “It's okay” in Korean
- 괜찮아요gwaenchanayo
It's okay
"It's okay" in Korean is 괜찮아요 (gwaenchanayo), or 괜찮아 (gwaenchana) with friends. It can mean "it's fine", "I'm okay", "no thanks", or, as a question, "are you okay?"
Ways to say it
| Korean | Level | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| 괜찮아요 gwaenchanayo | Polite | The everyday polite form. Works with strangers, staff and elders. |
| 괜찮아 gwaenchana | Casual | With friends and family. Said gently, it's a comforting "it's okay". |
| 괜찮습니다 gwaenchanseumnida | Formal | Formal and a little stiff. Common at work or with customers. |
| 별거 아니에요 byeolgeo anieyo | Polite | "It's nothing." A modest reply when someone thanks you or apologizes for something small. |
| 됐어 dwaesseo | Casual | "Never mind" or "forget it". It can sound cold or annoyed, so use it with care. |
Examples
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Someone apologizes for bumping into you
A friend trips on the sidewalk
Turning down a second helping
Tips
The ㅎ in 괜찮아요 is silent, so it sounds like "gwen-cha-na-yo".
괜찮아요 is a polite way to say "no thanks". If a shop clerk offers a bag or a server offers more food, 괜찮아요 with a small smile declines it nicely.
Ask 괜찮아요? with a rising tone to check on someone: "Are you okay?"
Questions learners ask
Can 괜찮아요 mean "no thank you"?
Yes. It's one of the most common ways to politely turn something down in Korean.
How do you pronounce 괜찮아?
Say "gwen-cha-na". The ㅎ in 찮 is not pronounced.