How to say “Thank you” in Korean
- 감사합니다gamsahamnida
Thank you
"Thank you" in Korean is 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida), a polite, formal thank you that works with almost anyone. With close friends you can say 고마워 (gomawo), and in between there are softer everyday forms like 고마워요 (gomawoyo).
Ways to say it
| Korean | Level | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| 감사합니다 gamsahamnida | Formal | The safest choice. Use it with shop staff, strangers, teachers, coworkers and anyone older. |
| 고맙습니다 gomapseumnida | Formal | Just as polite as 감사합니다 and used in the same situations. It is built on a native Korean word, so some people feel it sounds a little warmer. |
| 감사해요 gamsahaeyo | Polite | Polite but softer and friendlier than 감사합니다. Good for everyday chats with acquaintances. |
| 고마워요 gomawoyo | Polite | A warm, polite thank you for people you know but are not very close to, or for someone a little younger. |
| 고마워 gomawo | Casual | For close friends, younger siblings and partners. Do not use it with strangers or anyone older than you. |
| 정말 감사합니다 jeongmal gamsahamnida | Formal | "Thank you very much." Add 정말 (really) to any of the forms above to make it stronger. |
Examples
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Thanking a friend who helped you move
Receiving a gift from a coworker
Thanking guests for coming to your party
Tips
감사합니다 and 고맙습니다 mean the same thing and are equally polite. 감사 comes from Chinese characters, while 고맙다 is a native Korean word. Use whichever feels easier to say.
감사합니다 is pronounced "gam-sa-ham-ni-da". The ㅂ in 합 is spoken like an m because the next sound is ㄴ, so it is not "hap-ni-da".
When in doubt, go more polite. Saying 고마워 to a shop clerk or someone older can sound rude, but 감사합니다 never will.
Questions learners ask
What is the difference between kamsahamnida and gomapseumnida?
Nothing important. Both are polite, formal ways to say thank you and can be used in the same situations. Kamsahamnida (감사합니다) is a little more common in shops and on TV.
How do you say "thank you very much" in Korean?
Say 정말 감사합니다 (jeongmal gamsahamnida) or 대단히 감사합니다 (daedanhi gamsahamnida), which is very formal and often used in speeches.
How do you reply to thank you in Korean?
Koreans usually say 아니에요 (anieyo), which means something like "not at all". With friends, 아니야 (aniya) or a simple smile works too.