How to Say "Thank You" in Korean: Gamsahamnida vs Gomawo
Thank you in Korean is 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) or 고맙습니다 (gomapseumnida). Learn the polite and casual forms, which one to use when, and how to reply.
By a native Korean teacher · · 2 min read
The most common way to say thank you in Korean is 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida). 고맙습니다 (gomapseumnida) means the same thing and is just as polite. With close friends, say 고마워 (gomawo), a casual "thanks."
Word at a glance
감사합니다gamsahamnida
- Literally
- (I) do gratitude
- In natural English
- Thank you
Two words for thank you
Korean has two everyday words for thanks. 감사합니다 comes from 감사 (gamsa), a Sino-Korean word for gratitude. 고맙습니다 comes from the native Korean word 고맙다 (gomapda), "to be thankful."
Both are standard and polite. Many people feel 감사합니다 sounds a touch more formal, which is why you hear it constantly in shops, announcements, and speeches, but you can use either one with strangers and elders.
도와주셔서 감사합니다.
Dowajusyeoseo gamsahamnida.
Thank you for helping me.
선물 고맙습니다.
Seonmul gomapseumnida.
Thank you for the gift.
From formal to casual
Korean adjusts the ending to match how close you are to the other person.
- 감사합니다 / 고맙습니다: polite and formal, safe with anyone
- 감사해요 / 고마워요 (gamsahaeyo / gomawoyo): polite but softer, good with acquaintances
- 고마워 (gomawo): casual, for friends and people younger than you
- 땡큐 (ttaengkyu): a playful borrowed "thank you," only among friends
고마워요, 덕분에 살았어요.
Gomawoyo, deokbune sarasseoyo.
Thanks, you saved me.
진짜 고마워!
Jinjja gomawo!
Thanks so much!
Saying thanks for a meal
Korean has set phrases for food. Before eating, especially when someone else is paying or cooking, say 잘 먹겠습니다 (jal meokgetseumnida), "I will eat well." After the meal, say 잘 먹었습니다 (jal meogeotseumnida), "I ate well." Both work as a heartfelt thank you.
How to reply to thank you
Textbooks teach 천만에요 (cheonmaneyo), "you're welcome," but in real conversation it can sound a bit stiff. Koreans more often brush the thanks off modestly.
아니에요.
Anieyo.
Not at all. (literally "It's nothing")
별말씀을요.
Byeolmalsseumeullyo.
Don't mention it.
뭘, 괜찮아.
Mwol, gwaenchana.
Oh, it's nothing. (casual)
How to pronounce gamsahamnida
Say it in five syllables: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. The written ㅂ in 합 turns into an m sound before ㄴ, which is why you hear "ham-ni-da" and not "hap-ni-da." The older spelling "kamsahamnida" refers to the same word; the first sound sits between a g and a k.
Questions people ask
Is gamsahamnida or gomapseumnida more polite?+
They are equally polite and both are correct. Gamsahamnida is heard more often in formal and public settings, so it is the safest choice if you only learn one.
Can I say gomawo to someone older?+
It is better not to. Gomawo is casual, so use gomawoyo or gamsahamnida with anyone older than you or anyone you don't know well.
Why do some people write kamsahamnida?+
It comes from an older romanization system. Today's official spelling is gamsahamnida, but both point to 감사합니다.
How do you say thank you very much in Korean?+
Add 정말 (jeongmal, "really") or 너무 (neomu, "so"): 정말 감사합니다 (jeongmal gamsahamnida).