In most cultures, it is custom to express gratitude in some way or another. The dictionary defines gratitude as follows: it is “the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness”. Giving a sincere, thankful response to someone’s actions or words is often the ‘glue’ that keeps relationships together. This is true in most societies! Doing so in a foreign country also shows your respect and appreciation for the culture. Words have great power – use these ones sincerely and often!

Table of Contents

1. 12 Ways to say ‘Thank you’ in Korean
2. Video Lesson: Learn to Say ‘Thank You’ in 3 Minutes
3. Infographic & Audio Lesson: Survival Phrases – Thank You
4. Video Lesson: ‘Thank You’ in 31 Languages
5. How KoreanClass101 Can Help You

So, how do you say ‘Thank you’ in Korean? You can learn easily! Below, KoreanClass101 brings you perfect translations and pronunciation as you learn the most common ways Korean speakers say ‘Thanks’ in various situations.

1. 12 Ways to say ‘Thank you’ in Korean

1- Thank you.

고마워요.
Gomawoeyo.

The magical words that can bring a smile to any face. For one day, truly mean it whenever you say these words, and see how this lifts your spirit too!

2- That’s very kind of you.

정말 친절하세요.
Jeongmal chinjeolhaseyo.

This phrase is appropriate when someone clearly goes out of their way to give good service, or to offer you a kindness.

3- Thanks for your kind words!

좋은 말씀 감사합니다!
Joeun malsseum gamsahamnida.

Someone paid you a compliment and made you feel good? That is kind of him/her, so express your gratitude!

4- Thank you for coming today.

오늘 와 주셔서 감사합니다.
Oneul wa jusyeoseo gamsahamnida.

This welcoming phrase should be part of your arsenal if you’re conducting more formal meetings with Korean speakers. If you’re hosting a party, this is also a good phrase when you greet your Korean guests!

5- Thank you for your consideration.

생각해 주셔서 감사합니다.
Saenggakae jusyeoseo gamsahamnida.

This is a more formal, almost solemn way to thank someone for their thoughtfulness and sensitivity towards you. It is also suitable to use when a native speaker has to consider something you submit, like a job application, a project or a proposal. You are thanking them, in essence, for time and effort they are about to, or have spent on your submission.

6- Thanks a lot!

정말 고마워요!
Jeongmal gomawoyo!

This means the same as ‘Thank you’, but with energy and enthusiasm added! It means almost the same as ‘thank you so much’ in Korean. Use this in an informal setting with your Korean friends or teachers.

7- Teachers like you are not easy to find.

선생님 같은 분은 찾기 힘들어요.
Seonsaengnim gateun buneun chatgi himdeureoyo.

Some phrases are compliments, which express gratitude by inference. This is one of them. If you’re particularly impressed with your KoreanClass101 teacher, this is an excellent phrase to memorize!

8- Thank you for spending time with us.

함께 해 주셔서 감사합니다.
Hamkke hae jusyeoseo gamsahamnida.

Any host at a gathering with Korean speakers, such as a meeting or a party, should have this under his/her belt! Use it when you’re saying goodbye or busy closing a meeting. It could also be another lovely way to thank your Korean language teacher for her time.

9- Thank you for being patient and helping me improve.

제가 나아질 수 있게 인내심을 갖고 도와주셔서 감사합니다.
Jega naajil su itge innaesimeul gatgo dowajusyeoseo gamsahamnida.

This phrase is another sure way to melt any formal or informal Korean teacher’s heart! Teaching is not easy, and often a lot of patience is required from the teacher. Thank him/her for it! It’s also a good phrase to use if you work in Korea, and want to thank your trainer or employer. You will go a long way towards making yourself a popular employee – gratitude is the most attractive trait in any person!

10- You’re the best teacher ever!

선생님이 최고예요!
Seonsaengnimi choegoyeyo!

This is also an enthusiastic way to thank your teacher by means of a compliment. It could just make their day!

11- Thank you for the gift.

선물 고마워요.
Seonmul gomawoyo.

This is a good phrase to remember when you’re the lucky recipient of a gift. Show your respect and gratitude with these words.

12- I have learned so much thanks to you.

선생님 덕분에 정말 많이 배웠어요.
Seonsaengnim deokbune jeongmal mani baewosseoyo.

What a wonderful compliment to give a good teacher! It means they have succeeded in their goal, and you’re thankful for it.

2. Video Lesson: Learn to Say ‘Thank You’ in 3 Minutes

In Korea, there are numerous ways to say “thank you.” The level of respect differs according to relationship.

1- 감사합니다. (gamsahamnida)

First, we’ll take a look at the phrase we use toward strangers and to those that we wish to respect. The first “thank you” is gamsahamnida (감사합니다). It’s respectful, commonly heard, quick, and easy. You will probably hear this form most frequently.

2- 고맙습니다. (gomapseumnida)

Next is gomapseumnida (고맙습니다). This is respectful and we can use it toward strangers as well. Koreans don’t use it quite as frequently as gamsahamnida, but it’s still very common. The two that we have covered so far are nearly identical in terms of respect. The first, gamsahamnida, is a tiny bit more respectful than gomapseumnida, but it’s only a very slight difference.

3- 대단히 감사합니다. (daedanhi gamsahamnida)

Koreans don’t use this next one every day; rather, they use it for special occasions when someone has really broken his or her back to do you a favor. This form offers the highest level of gratitude. This “thank you” is daedanhi gamsahamnida (대단히 감사합니다). Literally, this means “great thanks.”

4- 고마워. (gomawo)

Last is the informal “thank you,” which you should only use with close and intimate friends and family (an uncle you are meeting for the first time doesn’t cut it!). This informal form is gomawo (고마워). There are a few relationships with which the informal language is acceptable to use. For more on that, check out Quick Tip 1.

It is important to be as polite and respectful as possible. So if you’re ever in doubt, use the formal “thank you,” gamsahamnida or gomapseumnida (감사합니다 or 고맙습니다).

Cultural Insights

Quick Tip #1: Helpful Hints About Formality

In Korean, there are numerous ways to say “thank you.” We can categorize anything said in Korean into two broad categories: formal and informal. As Korea is a Confucian society based on hierarchy, people will either be above your level, at your level, or below your level. And this is how we decide which form of “thank you” to use.

For example, if you are meeting someone for the first time, you must use formal language as you would want to be as respectful possible. You should also use the formal form toward your teacher, your boss, your coworker, and those older than you (for more on age, check out Quick Tip 2).

You should only use the informal gomawo (고마워) with those you are sure you will not offend by being informal with them. You should use it with people you have known for a while and are comfortable with. Here are some examples of relationships where it is proper for you to use the informal form:

• A cousin that you grew up with and know very well
• Little children
• Classmates (sometimes)
• A best friend

For most other relationships, it’s important to use formal phrases. If you are ever unsure, stick with the formal. The formal thank you is gamsahamnida (감사합니다) or gomapseumnida (고맙습니다).

Quick Tip 2: Respecting Your Elders in Korea

In Korea, age plays an extremely important role in relationship dynamics. If someone is older than you (even if only by a few years), it is sometimes acceptable for the older person to use informal language toward you. But sometimes you are still expected to use formal language toward them. As age plays a very significant role in Korea, it dramatically affects how we use the Korean language.

On the run to Korea? Wait! You can’t go without some basic language phrases under your belt! Especially if you’re heading to meet your prospective employer! Either in person or online, knowing how to say ‘Thank you’ in the Korean language will only improve their impression of you! KoreanClass101 saves you time with this short lesson that nevertheless packs a punch. Learn to say ‘Thank you’ in Korean in no time!

3. Audio Lesson: Survival Phrases – Thank You

Perhaps you think it’s unimportant that you don’t know what ‘Thank you’ is in Korean, or that it’s too difficult a language to learn. Yet, as a traveler or visitor, you will be surprised at how far you can go using a little bit of Korean in Korea!

Click Here to Listen to the Free Audio Lesson!

At KoreanClass101, we offer you a few ways of saying ‘Thank you’ in Korean that you have no excuse not knowing, as they’re so simple and easy to learn. The lesson is geared to aid your ‘survival’ in formal and informal situations in Korea, so don’t wait! You will never have to google ‘How do you say thanks in Korean’ again…!

4. ‘Thank You’ in 31 Languages

For the global traveler in a hurry, here are 31 ways to say ‘Thank you’! These are the first words you need to learn in any foreign language – it is sure to smooth your way with native speakers by showing your gratitude for services rendered, and your respect for their culture! Learn and know how to correctly say ‘Thank you’ in 31 different languages in this short video.

5. Why would KoreanClass101 be the perfect choice to learn Korean?

However, you need not stop at ‘Thank you’ in Korean – why not learn to speak the language?! You have absolutely nothing to lose. Research has shown that learning a new language increases intelligence and combats brain-aging. Also, the ability to communicate with native speakers in their own language is an instant way to make friends and win respect! Or imagine you know how to write ‘Thank you’ to that special Korean friend after a date…he/she will be so impressed!

KoreanClass101 Has Special Lessons, Tools and Resources to Teach You How to Say Thank You and Other Key Phrases

With more than a decade of experience behind us, we have taught thousands of satisfied users to speak foreign languages. How do we do this? First, we take the pain out of learning! At KoreanClass101, students are assisted as they master vocabulary, pronunciation, and conversation through state-of-the-art and fun online learning methods. A library replete with learning resources allows for you to learn at your own pace and in your own space! Resources include thousands of video and audio recordings, downloadable PDF lessons and plenty of learning apps for your mobile devices. Each month, we add benefits with FREE bonuses and gifts to improve your experience.

We accommodate all levels and types of learners, from Absolute Beginner to Advanced, and KoreanClass101 is free for anyone to sign up. However, you can choose to fast track your fluency with lesson customization and increased interactive learning and practicing. Upgrade to Premium, or Premium PLUS to enhance your experience and greatly expedite your learning. With this type of assistance, and pleasurable effort on your part, you will speak Korean in a very short period of time!

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Best of all is that you’re never alone! We believe that practice is the holy grail of learning any new language, and we gear our courses to ensure lots of it. Enroll with us, and you gain immediate access to our lively forum where we meet and greet, and discuss your burning questions. Our certified teachers are friendly and helpful, and you are very likely to practice your first ‘Thanks!’ in Korean on him/her, AND mean it! Hurry up, and sign up now – you will thank us for it.

Learn 4 tools and techniques to stop translating in your head and start thinking in Korean

Going through Korean lessons is enough to get by and learn the basics of Korean, but to truly become fluent you need to be able to think in Korean. This will allow you to have conversations with ease, read smoothly, and comprehensively understand natives. To do this, you need to go beyond just completing daily or weekly lessons.

We naturally translate in our heads because it’s viewed as the easiest way to learn the definitions needed when learning a language. This way of learning can actually hinder your skills and fluency later on. If your brain has to make neural connections between the word you’re learning, what it means in your native tongue, and the physical object the connection will not be nearly as strong. When you bypass the original translation between Korean and your native language then there is a more basic and strong connection between just the Korean vocabulary word and the tangible object.

In this blog post, you will learn the 4 important techniques to easily and naturally begin to speculate about the daily occurrences in your life. The best part is all of these techniques are supported and can be achieved through KoreanClass101.com.

Create Your Free Lifetime Account and Start Learning the whole Korean Language from the Beginning!

1. Surround yourself with Korean

By surrounding yourself with Korean constantly you will completely immerse yourself in the language. Without realizing it you’ll be learning pronunciation, sentence structures, grammar, and new vocabulary. You can play music in the background while you’re cooking or have a Korean radio station on while you study. Immersion is a key factor with this learning process because it is one of the easiest things to do, but very effective. Even if you are not giving the program your full attention you will be learning.

One great feature of KoreanClass101.com is the endless podcasts that are available to you. You can even download and listen to them on the go. These podcasts are interesting and are perfect for the intention of immersion, they are easy to listen to as background noise and are interesting enough to give your full attention. Many of them contain stories that you follow as you go through the lessons which push you to keep going.

2. Learn through observation

Learning through observation is the most natural way to learn. Observation is how we all learned our native languages as infants and it’s a wonder why we stop learning this way. If you have patience and learn through observation then Korean words will have their own meanings rather than meanings in reference to your native language. Ideally, you should skip the bilingual dictionary and just buy a dictionary in Korean.

KoreanClass101.com also offers the materials to learn this way. We have numerous video lessons which present situational usage of each word or phrase instead of just a direct translation. This holds true for many of our videos and how we teach Korean.

3. Speak out loud to yourself

Speaking to yourself in Korean not only gets you in the mindset of Korean, but also makes you listen to how you speak. It forces you to correct any errors with pronunciation and makes it easy to spot grammar mistakes. When you speak out loud talk about what you did that day and what you plan to do the next day. Your goal is to be the most comfortable speaking out loud and to easily create sentences. Once you feel comfortable talking to yourself start consciously thinking in your head about your daily activities and what is going on around you throughout the day.

With KoreanClass101.com you start speaking right away, not only this, but they have you repeat words and conversations after a native Korean speaker. This makes your pronunciation very accurate! With this help, you are on the fast path to making clear and complex sentences and then actively thinking about your day.

4. Practice daily

If you don’t practice daily then your progress will be greatly slowed. Many people are tempted to take the 20-30 minutes they should be practicing a day and practice 120 in one day and skip the other days. This isn’t nearly as effective because everyday you practice you are reinforcing the skills and knowledge you have learned. If you practice all in one day you don’t retain the information because the brain can realistically only focus for 30 minutes at most. If you’re studying for 120 minutes on the same subject little of the information will be absorbed. Studying everyday allows you to review material that you went over previous days and absorb a small amount of information at a time.

It’s tough to find motivation to study everyday, but KoreanClass101.com can help. It’s easy to stay motivated with KoreanClass101.com because we give you a set learning path, with this path we show how much progress you’ve made. This makes you stick to your goals and keep going!

Conclusion

Following the steps and having patience is the hardest part to achieving your goals, it’s not easy learning a new language. You are essentially teaching your brain to categorize the world in a completely new way. Stick with it and you can do it just remember the 4 tools I taught you today! With them, conversations, reading, and understanding will become much easier. The most important thing to remember is to use the tools that KoreanClass101.com provides and you will be on your way to being fluent!

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Hi Listeners,

Do you know what the top 6 Korean fairy tales are?

Reading short stories in Korean is a fun way to learn the Korean language and culture. Check out the 6 Korean fairy tale stories below and learn must-know folk story words and phrases in Korean!

1. Top 6 Korean Fairy Tales

1. Heungbu and Nolbu

The Korean title is 흥부와 놀부 (Heungbuwa nolbu). Heungbu and Nolbu are two brothers, with opposite personalities. Their vicissitudes show how caring about the others brings wealth and, most of all, happiness.

2. A Filial Daughter, Sim Chong

The Korean title is 효녀 심청 (Hyonyeo simcheong). Sim Chong sells herself to restore her father’s sight. During a storm, the sailors sacrifice her and instead of dying, she becomes the sea queen.

3. The Rabbit’s Liver

The Korean title is 토끼의 간 (Gyeonuwa jingnyeo). The Dragon King must eat a rabbit’s liver to recover from an illness. The rabbit tells him that he didn’t bring his liver and escape.

4. Gyeonu and Jiknyeo

The Korean title is 견우와 직녀 (Gyeonu and Jiknyeo). Two lovers marry but then begin to neglect their duties. Angry, the heavenly king only allows them to meet once a year on a bridge of magpies.

5. The Fairy and the Woodcutter

The Korean title is 선녀와 나무꾼 (Seonnyeowa namukkun). A man steals the robe of a fairy and is told not to return it until she has three children. He returns it and she leaves with his two children.

6. The Gold Ax and the Silver Ax

The Korean title is 금 도끼와 은 도끼 (Gum dokkiwa eun dokki). A woodcutter loses his axe. A wizard appears and gives him a choice of an iron, gold, and silver axe. The woodcutter takes his own axe and is rewarded.

2. Fairy Tale Characters and Words in Korean

Here are some common fairy tale characters and words in Korean you may come across while reading Korean folktale stories.

Check out even more fairy tale words in the video below!

Conclusion

You might not understand every single word in Korean stories at first but try to guess what they mean in context. Illustrations will also help you understand the story. After reading it, make sure to look up the words in the dictionary and read the story a few more times. If you do that, you’ll surely get better at reading Korean.

So what Korean tale would you like to read first? Do you know any other fairy tale stories in Korea? Did we miss any Korean fairy tale words? Let us know in the comments!

Learn 4 honest reasons you need Korean slang words and why they are so vital to truly learning and mastering the language.

Teachers may normally cringe at the thought of their students learning Korean slang words. After all, slang words and phrases are typically defined as being grammatically incorrect. So why would your teacher want you to spend time learning the “wrong way” to speak Korean? Here are 4 of the top reasons why you should study slang words and expressions when learning Korean or any new language.

1. Native Speakers Use Slang Expressions in Everyday Conversation

If you are going to study a foreign language and plan to use it to speak with native speakers, then you have to learn slang words and expressions. Otherwise, just using formal expressions and grammar may alienate you from native speakers and make it more difficult to establish a real connection. So it is best to at least learn some common slang words and expressions if you’re planning to meet or speak socially with someone.

2. Slang Words Are Used All Throughout Korean Culture

If you turn on any popular Korean TV show, listen to any song, or watch any movie, you are quickly going to see the value of learning Korean slang phrases. Just like everyday conversations between native speakers, Korean culture is filled with slang phrases and expressions. Without at least some knowledge of the more common slang phrases, popular culture and most conversations will be very confusing and potentially alienating.

3. Slang Expressions Help You Better Express Your True Thoughts and Feelings

Only relying on formal grammar and vocabulary is very limiting, especially in social situations. Just like in your native language, using the appropriate Korean slang words can help you express a broader range of emotions, thoughts, and feelings.

4. Proper Use of Slang Makes You Sound More Natural

We’ve all met foreigners who technically used formal language perfectly but still sounded odd and well….foreign. But when you use the right slang words and expressions, you will sound more natural and like a true native speaker. If you notice, even most politicians include a sprinkling of slang expressions and words throughout their speeches to help them sound more natural and to better connect with the audience.

The Dark Side of Slang Expressions

Learning Korean slang words can indeed help you sound more natural, better understand the people and culture, and make integration much easier. However, there is a dark side: using the wrong slang expressions can also make you look foolish, uneducated, and potentially disrespectful.

But how do you know which slang words or phrases to use and when?

The truth is that you can’t learn the most modern and appropriate slang words in textbooks or formal classroom settings. By the time the information gets incorporated into a formal curriculum, it’s already outdated and no longer in use by actual Korean people. And while you can learn current slang expressions from Korean TV shows, movies, songs, and games, you may not understand the context. If that happens, you may use the right Korean slang words but in the wrong situation and still look like a fool or possibly even offend someone.

So where can you learn current slang expressions and the right context in which to use them?

At KoreanClass101, native speaking instructors create audio and video lessons that can include slang expressions and words. Our instructors provide context and examples for all the Korean slang words used in any lesson to make sure students understand the right time and place to use them.

Korean slang words and expressions may be grammatically incorrect but they are vital to truly understanding and immersing yourself in the culture. In fact, it will be very difficult to fully understand any movie, TV show, song, game, or even 1-on-1 conversation without knowing a few of the more common slang expressions.

However, it is important to learn the proper context and use of even popular slang expressions or you may come across as confusing, disrespectful, or uneducated.
At KoreanClass101, you’ll learn how to use slang phrases and words to draw the right attention and avoid these problems.

Don’t forget to sign up for a Free Lifetime Account on KoreanClass101.com to access tons of FREE lessons and features to become fluent in Korean!

For Korean learners: You need to know that, unfortunately, the real world looks a bit different from what you learnt, more confusing and less structured with the use of slang. Here we will tell you why you must study slang, and you will learn 5 of the most used Korean slangs in everyday life and how to use them properly!

Slang is an aspect of language that isn’t usually taught in the classroom but is an important part of becoming proficient in any language. A person learning Korean might attend daily classes. They might study the grammar and the formalities and might even produce complex and coherent sentences. But, take this student out of the classroom and away from the textbooks, and they will encounter a world of language that breaks the rules they learned.

Although studying proper Korean rules is important, slang is unavoidable, no matter what language you’re speaking. In drama and k-pop, conversations and advertising, language becomes less formal and goes less and less “by the rules”. Real-life Korean is so different from the textbooks.

Taking the time to understand slang and informal speech will boost your communication and language skills, and save a whole lot of confusion. Slang will allow you to use language in a current, useful way. No amount of time in class can prepare you for the contemporary nuances you’ll be faced with when you put your language knowledge to practical use out in the real world.

Click here to discover 10 monthly goals that will help you reach fluency in Korean!

It’s time to cover common Korean slang expressions that are used every day in Korea!

1. 장난 아니다 (jangnan anida) – No kidding

This expression means “no kidding” or “it’s no joke.” It can also be used to express that something is amazing. It is intended to express extremes. 장난 (jangnan) means “joke” and 아니다 (anida) means “not.”

장난 아니다. 숙제가 너무 많아.
jangnam anida. sukjega neomu mana.
It’s no joke. I have too much homework.

2. 오나전 (onajeon) – Totally

The word 오나전 (onajeon) means “totally.” 오나전 (onajeon) originated from the Korean word 완전 (wanjeon) meaning “completely, totally.” It used to be a common typo of 완전 (wanjeon) and is now a slang word. You can use this expression when exaggerating or emphasizing something.

오늘 오나전 기분 나빠.
Oneul onajeon gibun nappa.
I feel totally awful today.

3. 쩐다 (jjeonda) – Great

The word 쩐다 (jjeonda) literally means “great in scale.” But when it’s used as a slang expression, it means “great.” You can use this expression when referring to something enormous or great. This expression is often used by young men.

여기 음식 쩐다,
Yeogi eumsik jjeonda.
The food here is great.

For you Korean Learners, The 15 Best Tips to Remember Korean Words For FREE

4. 인생짤 (insaengjjal) – Best photo

The word 인생짤 (insaengjjal) literally means “once in a lifetime shot.” But when it’s used as a slang expression, it means “best photo.” You can use this expression when referring to one’s best photo. This expression is often used by young people.

이 사진이 내 인생짤이야.
I sajini nae insaengjjariya.
This is the best photo of me.

5. 핵노잼 (haengnojaem) – Boring

The word 핵노잼 (haengnojaem) literally means “nuclear no fun.” It is a combination of three words: 핵 (haek), 노 (no) and 재미 (jaemi) meaning “nuclear,” “no,” and “fun.” 잼 (jaem) is the contraction of 재미 (jaemi). When used as slang, the whole word means “boring.” You can use this expression when describing something so boring that the level of boredom can be compared to being nuclear. This expression is often used by teenagers.

이 수업은 핵노잼이야.
I sueobeun haengnojaemiya.
This class is so boring.

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