How to Say Yes in Korean
Learn how to say yes in Korean. 'Ne' (네) is the standard polite yes; 'Ye' is more formal; 'Eung' is casual. Pronunciation guide + why 'Ne' means more than just yes.
Published · 1 min read · Free · No sign-up
Quick answer
To say yes in Korean, say 'Ne' (네, neh) — the standard polite yes, used constantly. 'Ye' (예, yeh) is a slightly more formal yes. Casually, with close friends, 'Eung' (응, eung) means 'yeah.' Interestingly, 'Ne' is used far beyond simple agreement — it's also a filler like 'I see/uh-huh' and a polite 'pardon?', making it one of Korean's most-heard words.
네
/neh/ — Korean
How to Say Yes in Korean
“Yes” in Korean is mostly one small, mighty word — Ne — that does far more work than its English counterpart.
The Standard Yes: Ne
네 — Ne — pronounced neh
Short, light, and used constantly. This is the polite yes for almost every situation.
Copy the Phrase
The Korean word for “yes” is 네 (Ne, neh).
The Levels of Yes
| Korean | Romanization | Pronunciation | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 네 | Ne | neh | Standard polite yes (default) |
| 예 | Ye | yeh | More formal yes |
| 응 | Eung | eung | Casual “yeah” (close friends) |
| 어 | Eo | uh | Very casual “yeah” |
Use Ne as your default. Reserve Eung/Eo for close friends — they’re too casual for elders or strangers.
Ne Is More Than “Yes”
This is the key insight: 네 (Ne) is one of the most-heard words in Korean because it does many jobs:
| Use | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Agreement | Yes |
| Conversational filler | ”I see,” “uh-huh,” “right” (nodding along) |
| Polite “pardon?" | "Ne?” with rising intonation = “Sorry, what?” |
| Handing something over | ”Here you go” |
| Answering your name | ”Yes?” / “Present” |
So Koreans say Ne constantly — far beyond simple agreement.
Agreeing More Expressively
When you want to confirm or agree with more than a plain “yes”:
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 맞아요 | Majayo | That’s right (polite) |
| 맞아 | Maja | That’s right (casual) |
| 그래요 | Geuraeyo | Yes / that’s so / okay (polite) |
| 좋아요 | Joayo | Sounds good / I like that |
| 알겠어요 | Algesseoyo | Got it / understood |
Maja(yo) specifically means “correct/that’s right,” while Ne is the general “yes.”
Pronunciation
- Ne — “neh” (short, light)
- Ye — “yeh”
- Eung — nasal “eung/uhng”
Quick Reference
| Situation | Say |
|---|---|
| Polite yes (default) | Ne (네) |
| Formal yes | Ye (예) |
| Casual “yeah” (friends) | Eung (응) |
| “That’s right” | Maja(yo) (맞아요) |
| Didn’t hear — “pardon?” | Ne? (네?) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you pronounce Ne?
'Ne' (네) is pronounced 'neh' — a short, single syllable rhyming with the start of 'net.' It's quick and light. 'Ye' (예) is pronounced 'yeh.' 'Eung' (응) is pronounced 'eung' (a nasal 'oong/uhng' sound). 'Ne' is the most common and the one to learn first.
What is the difference between Ne and Ye?
Both mean 'yes' and are polite. 'Ne' (네) is the standard, most common polite yes — used in nearly all everyday polite situations. 'Ye' (예) is slightly more formal/deferential — you'll hear it in very formal settings, customer service, or military contexts. In practice 'Ne' covers almost everything; 'Ye' adds a touch more formality.
Why does Ne mean more than just yes?
'Ne' (네) is wonderfully versatile. Beyond 'yes,' it serves as: a conversational filler/acknowledgment ('I see,' 'uh-huh,' 'right' — like nodding along), a polite 'pardon?' or 'what?' when you didn't hear (said with rising intonation: 'Ne?'), and a soft 'here you go' when handing something over. So Koreans say 'Ne' constantly — it's far more than a simple yes.
How do you say yes casually to friends in Korean?
Casually, with close friends or people younger than you, 'Eung' (응, eung) means 'yeah/yep.' 'Eo' (어) is an even more casual 'yeah.' These are informal — only use them with people you're close to. With anyone you should be polite to (most people), use 'Ne' (네). Using 'Eung' with an elder or stranger would be too casual/rude.
How do you say 'that's right' or agree strongly in Korean?
To agree or confirm: 'Maja' (맞아 — that's right, casual) / 'Majayo' (맞아요 — that's right, polite); 'Geuraeyo' (그래요 — yes/that's so/okay, polite); 'Joayo' (좋아요 — sounds good / I like that). 'Maja(yo)' specifically means 'correct/that's right,' while 'Ne' is the general 'yes.' These let you agree more expressively than a simple 'Ne.'