How to say thank you in Korean
Depending on the situation, saying thank you in Korean can take many different forms. This article aims to show you which expressions of gratitude to use.
Saying thank you in Korean in a general way
감사합니다 [gamsahamnida]
감사합니다 is used in almost all everyday situations, both in formal contexts and in polite interactions with strangers such as shop assistants, servers, and so on.
고맙습니다 [gomapsseumnida]
고맙습니다 is very similar to 감사합니다, although it is slightly less formal. It can also be used in everyday life, but 감사합니다 remains the most common expression.
Saying thank you in Korean with close people
When it comes to close people, such as friends or colleagues at the same hierarchical level, it is possible to lower the degree of politeness.
고마워요 [gomawoyo]
Note: This expression should only be used with close people. Do not use 고마워요 with shop assistants, strangers, and so on. With very close friends who are younger or the same age, and ONLY in this case, you can simply say:
고마워 [gomawo]
Note: You should never say 고마워 in a polite context, and even less in a formal one, as it would make you sound very rude.
Thank-you verbs in Korean
| 감사하다 [gamsahada] | 고맙다 [gomaptta] | |
|---|---|---|
| Formal style | 감사합니다 | 고맙습니다 |
| Polite style | 감사해요 | 고마워요 |
| Casual style | 감사해 | 고마워 |
Thank you very much in Korean
To thank someone a lot, you can add the word 정말 [jeongmal] in front of all the expressions we saw earlier.
정말 고마워요! [jeongmal gomawoyo]
To be very formal, for example if you work in Korea as a salesperson and want to thank an important client, the common expression is:
대단히 감사합니다. [daedanhi gamsahamnida]
You already know some vocabulary and sentence structures… But when you listen to Koreans speak, do you ever feel like something is missing, the meaning behind the words, the cultural nuance that makes the language truly come alive?
That’s completely normal. In Korean, proverbs and idiomatic expressions are essential to understanding how Koreans think and communicate. Without them, you can speak, but your language will feel flat and overly literal.
With 100 Korean Proverbs - Illustrated and Explained, you’ll understand not only what Koreans say, but why they say it, and what each expression reveals about their mindset and culture.
Learn more