What does 알았어 (arasseo) mean?
- 알았어arasseo
Okay, got it
Casual: friends and people younger than you
알았어 (arasseo) means "Okay", "Got it" or "I understand". It is the casual way to say you heard and accept what someone told you, and it is one of the most familiar lines in K-dramas.
Where it comes from
알았어 is the past tense of 알다, "to know", with a casual ending. Literally it means "I (have come to) know", which works like "Got it".
How to use 알았어
Say 알았어 when a friend, sibling or younger person asks you to do something or tells you information: "Okay, I'll do it" or "Got it". It is very common on the phone and in texts.
With people you should be polite to, say 알았어요, and with a boss or customer, 알겠습니다. Saying 알았어 to a teacher or older stranger sounds rude.
Repeating it, 알았어 알았어, often sounds like "Okay, okay, I heard you!" with a hint of annoyance. 알았다고! is stronger: "I said I got it!"
Examples
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Your mom asks you to buy milk
Ending a phone call with a friend
Your sister keeps reminding you
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| 알았어요 | Okay, I understand | Polite form. |
| 알겠습니다 | Understood | Formal, used at work and in service situations. |
| 알았어 알았어 | Okay, okay | Often a little impatient. |
| 알았다고 | I said I got it! | Sounds irritated. |
| ㅇㅋ | OK | Quick texting version of okay. |
Questions learners ask
Is arasseo rude?
It is not rude with friends and younger people, but it is casual. Use 알았어요 or 알겠습니다 with anyone older or more senior.
What is the difference between arasseo and algesseumnida?
Both mean "I understand". 알았어 is casual, while 알겠습니다 is formal and very respectful.
How do you spell arasseo in Korean?
It is written 알았어. You will also see romanizations like arraseo and arasso.