What does 네 (ne) mean?
- 네ne
Yes (polite)
Polite: safe with most people
네 (ne) means "yes" in polite Korean. It is the everyday way to say yes to anyone you don't talk to casually, like strangers, coworkers, teachers and older people. It can also mean "okay", "I see" or, with a rising tone, "Pardon?"
Where it comes from
네 is a single word with no parts to break down. 예 (ye) means the same thing and sounds a little more formal.
How to use 네
Use 네 to agree, to answer a yes-or-no question, or simply to show you are listening. Koreans often say 네, 네 while someone talks to them, much like saying "uh-huh" or "right" in English.
Said with a rising tone, 네? means "Sorry?" or "What did you say?" It is a polite way to ask someone to repeat themselves, and it can also show surprise.
With close friends or people younger than you, the casual 응 (eung) or 어 (eo) is more natural. Saying 네 to a close friend can sound oddly stiff or even playful.
Examples
Tap a word to see what it means and save it to your flashcards.
Your manager asks you to send a file
You didn't hear what someone said
Answering the phone when someone asks for you
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| 예 | Yes | Same meaning, slightly more formal. Common in service jobs and the military. |
| 응 | Yeah | Casual. For friends and people younger than you. |
| 네? | Pardon? / What? | Rising tone. Asking someone to repeat, or showing surprise. |
| 네네 | Yes, yes / Okay, okay | Repeated to show you are listening. Can sound a little impatient depending on tone. |
Hear it in songs
Real lines from songs broken down on Hanbok. Open a song to see every line explained.
- “네 손님”Yes, customer!God's Menu · Stray Kids
- 두 번 다시 네 손 놓지 않을 거라고 wooI promise I won't ever let go of your hand again, woo.Wait For You · PLAVE
- 쉬운 일이 절대 아냐 네 앞에 서는 건It's never easy, standing before you.Shoot Me · DAY6
- 나 살아가면서 가끔씩 떠오를 기억 그 안에 네가 있다면 그거면 충분해As I live on, memories will occasionally surface, and if you're in them, that's enough for me.Love Scenario · iKON
Questions learners ask
Does ne mean no in Korean?
No. 네 means "yes". It sounds like the English "nay", which confuses many learners, but it is always a yes. The polite word for no is 아니요 (aniyo).
What is the difference between ne and ye?
They mean the same thing. 예 is a little more formal and is common in customer service, the military and very polite settings. 네 is used more often in daily life.
Can I say ne to my friends?
You can, but it sounds polite and a bit distant. Between close friends, 응 (eung) is the natural casual yes.