How to Say Thank You in Korean
Learn how to say thank you in Korean. 'Gamsahamnida' (감사합니다) is formal; 'Gomawo' is casual. Pronunciation guide + the politeness levels of Korean gratitude.
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Quick answer
To say thank you in Korean, say 'Gamsahamnida' (감사합니다, gam-sa-ham-ni-da) — the polite/formal standard, safe for almost everyone. The polite-casual version is 'Gomawoyo' (고마워요), and the casual version for close friends is 'Gomawo' (고마워). 'Gamsahamnida' is the one to learn first — it works in virtually any situation.
감사합니다
/gam-sa-ham-ni-da/ — Korean
How to Say Thank You in Korean
Gratitude in Korean, like its greetings, flexes with formality. Gamsahamnida is the polite, all-purpose “thank you” you’ll use most — and the one to learn first.
The Standard: Gamsahamnida
감사합니다 — Gamsahamnida — pronounced gam-sa-ham-ni-da
(Also romanized Kamsahamnida — the Korean ㄱ sound sits between ‘g’ and ‘k.’)
Copy the Phrase
The Korean word for “thank you” is 감사합니다 (Gamsahamnida, gam-sa-ham-ni-da).
The Politeness Levels
| Korean | Romanization | Politeness |
|---|---|---|
| 고마워 | Gomawo | Casual (close friends, younger people) |
| 고마워요 | Gomawoyo | Polite-casual |
| 감사합니다 | Gamsahamnida | Formal/polite (default — safe everywhere) |
| 대단히 감사합니다 | Daedanhi gamsahamnida | Very formal |
Two word families:
- Gamsahamnida — from Sino-Korean roots (more formal)
- Gomawo(yo) — from native Korean roots (warmer, more casual)
Use Gamsahamnida as your default. Reserve Gomawo for close friends.
Intensifying Your Thanks
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 정말 감사합니다 | Jeongmal gamsahamnida | Thank you very much |
| 너무 고마워 | Neomu gomawo | Thank you so much (casual) |
| 대단히 감사합니다 | Daedanhi gamsahamnida | Thank you greatly (formal) |
Add 정말 (jeongmal, “really”) or 너무 (neomu, “so/too”) to intensify.
How to Respond to Thanks
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 천만에요 | Cheonmaneyo | You’re welcome (polite, textbook) |
| 아니에요 | Anieyo | It’s nothing (very common in practice) |
| 괜찮아요 | Gwaenchanayo | It’s okay / no worries |
| 아니야 | Aniya | It’s nothing (casual) |
In everyday speech, Anieyo (“it’s nothing”) is actually more common than the textbook Cheonmaneyo.
Pronunciation Tips
- gam-sa-ham-ni-da — five even, light syllables
- Initial ㄱ is unaspirated (between ‘g’ and ‘k’)
- Korean has light, even stress
Bowing with Thanks
As with greetings, a slight bow often accompanies thanks in Korean — a nod of the head while saying Gamsahamnida shows sincerity and respect, especially to elders or in formal settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you pronounce Gamsahamnida?
'Gamsahamnida' is pronounced gam-sa-ham-ni-da (감사합니다). Five even syllables. It's sometimes written 'Kamsahamnida' because the initial Korean ㄱ sound is between a 'g' and a 'k.' Both spellings point to the same word. Say it smoothly with light, even stress: gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
What is the difference between Gamsahamnida and Gomawo?
Politeness level and word origin. 'Gamsahamnida' (감사합니다) is formal/polite (from Sino-Korean roots) — the safe default for strangers, elders, and formal situations. 'Gomawoyo' (고마워요) is polite-casual (native Korean root). 'Gomawo' (고마워) is casual — only for close friends and people younger than you. Use 'Gamsahamnida' as your default; 'Gomawo' only with people you're close to.
Is it Gamsahamnida or Kamsahamnida?
Both spellings are common and refer to the same word (감사합니다). The difference is just romanization: the Korean consonant ㄱ at the start is pronounced somewhere between an English 'g' and 'k' (an unaspirated sound), so some write 'Gamsahamnida' and others 'Kamsahamnida.' The official Revised Romanization uses 'g' (Gamsahamnida), but you'll see both.
How do you say thank you very much in Korean?
'Jeongmal gamsahamnida' (정말 감사합니다) = thank you very much ('jeongmal' = really/very). 'Daedanhi gamsahamnida' (대단히 감사합니다) = thank you greatly (very formal). 'Neomu gomawo' (너무 고마워) = thank you so much (casual). Adding 'jeongmal' (really) or 'neomu' (so/too) intensifies your gratitude at any politeness level.
How do you respond to thank you in Korean?
Common replies: 'Cheonmaneyo' (천만에요, chon-man-eh-yo) = you're welcome (polite), 'Anieyo' (아니에요) = it's nothing / no problem (very common, literally 'no'), 'Gwaenchanayo' (괜찮아요) = it's okay / no worries. Casually, 'Aniya' (아니야 — it's nothing). 'Cheonmaneyo' is the textbook 'you're welcome,' but 'Anieyo' is more commonly used in everyday speech.