What does 알겠습니다 (algesseumnida) mean?
- 알겠습니다algesseumnida
Understood / Got it
Formal: strangers, work, customers
알겠습니다 (algesseumnida) means "Understood", "Got it" or "Yes, I'll do that" in formal Korean. It is what you say when a boss, teacher or customer asks you to do something.
Where it comes from
It comes from 알다 (to know) plus 겠 and the formal ending 습니다. Together they mean "I understand" or "I will take that on board".
How to use 알겠습니다
You hear 알겠습니다 constantly at work, in the army, in shops and in any formal setting. It is often paired with 네: 네, 알겠습니다 (Yes, understood).
알겠어요 is the polite everyday version, and 알겠어 or 알았어 is casual for friends. Saying a casual form to your boss would sound careless.
Tone matters. A bright 알겠습니다 sounds willing, but a flat, clipped one can hint that the speaker is annoyed but going along with it.
Examples
Tap a word to see what it means and save it to your flashcards.
Replying to a manager's request
Accepting a task at work
After a teacher explains the homework
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| 네, 알겠습니다 | Yes, understood | The standard reply to an instruction. |
| 알겠어요 | Okay, got it | Polite everyday form. |
| 알겠어 | Got it | Casual form. |
| 잘 알겠습니다 | I understand completely | Extra respectful, often after an explanation. |
Questions learners ask
What is the difference between algesseumnida and arasseo?
Both mean "got it". 알겠습니다 is formal for work and elders, while 알았어 is casual for friends.
Should I say algesseumnida or arasseumnida?
At work and in formal replies, 알겠습니다 is the usual choice. 알았습니다 is also correct, but 알겠습니다 sounds more natural when accepting an instruction.
How do you say okay politely in Korean?
네, 알겠습니다 for formal situations or 네, 알겠어요 for polite everyday ones.