What does 감사합니다 (kamsahamnida) mean?
- 감사합니다kamsahamnida
Thank you
Formal: strangers, work, customers
감사합니다 (kamsahamnida) means "thank you" in Korean. It is the formal, respectful form, and it is the safest way to thank strangers, shop staff, teachers and anyone older. It is probably the most useful phrase for a visitor to Korea.
Where it comes from
감사 (gamsa) is a Sino-Korean word for gratitude, 하다 means "to do," and -ㅂ니다 is the formal ending. The official romanization is "gamsahamnida," but "kamsahamnida" is the spelling most people know.
How to use 감사합니다
Say it in shops, restaurants, taxis, and to anyone you don't know well. It is never rude.
In fast speech it often sounds like "kamsamnida." With close friends it can feel stiff, so people use 고마워 instead.
고맙습니다 means the same thing and is just as polite. Both are fine.
Examples
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Thanking a stranger who gave directions
Thanking a teacher for help
A host greeting guests at an event
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| 감사해요 | Thank you (polite) | Softer, less formal than 감사합니다. |
| 정말 감사합니다 | Thank you very much | Stronger thanks. |
| 감사드립니다 | I give you my thanks | Extra humble, used in speeches and emails. |
| 고맙습니다 | Thank you | Equally polite native Korean word. |
| ㄳ | thx | Internet shorthand from the first consonants. |
Questions learners ask
Is it kamsahamnida or gamsahamnida?
Both spellings refer to 감사합니다. "Gamsahamnida" is the official romanization; "kamsahamnida" is older and very common.
How do you reply to kamsahamnida?
A common reply is 아니에요 (anieyo), "not at all," or 천만에요 (cheonmaneyo), "you're welcome."