Korean: Receiving Thanks and Compliments with '고마워, 정말 의미 있어'
Learn to respond to thanks or compliments in Korean by saying 'Thank you, that means a lot' without self-deprecation, and understand how receiving well differs from giving compliments.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
When someone thanks you or compliments you in Korean, a common response is to deflect or deny it, but that can feel dismissive. This lesson teaches you how to receive gratitude and praise gracefully by saying 'Thank you, that means a lot' in Korean. You'll learn the phrase '고마워, 정말 의미 있어' (Gomawo, jeongmal uimi isseo) and its polite variants, and understand why accepting thanks is different from giving compliments. By the end, you'll be able to respond warmly and sincerely in various situations.
By the end, you can…
- say 'Thank you, that means a lot' in Korean using appropriate politeness levels.
- distinguish between receiving thanks/compliments and giving them, and respond without self-deprecation.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
고마워, 정말 의미 있어.
Thank you, that means a lot.
go-ma-wo, jeong-mal ui-mi i-sseo
Casual speech (반말). Use with close friends or those younger than you. The ending -어 is plain casual; add 요 for the polite version.
고마워요, 정말 의미 있어요.
Thank you, that means a lot.
go-ma-wo-yo, jeong-mal ui-mi i-sseo-yo
Standard polite (해요체). Use with acquaintances, colleagues, or strangers in most everyday situations.
감사합니다, 정말 큰 의미가 있습니다.
Thank you, it means a great deal.
gam-sa-ham-ni-da, jeong-mal keun ui-mi-ga it-seum-ni-da
Formal polite (합니다체). Use in formal settings, with superiors, or in public speaking.
정말 고마워요. 그 말이 큰 힘이 돼요.
Thank you so much. Those words really give me strength.
jeong-mal go-ma-wo-yo. geu mal-i keun him-i dwae-yo
Polite (해요체). A warm response to encouragement or compliments, emphasizing the positive impact.
고맙게 생각해요. 정말 의미 있게 들려요.
I'm grateful. That really sounds meaningful.
go-map-ge saeng-ga-kae-yo. jeong-mal ui-mi it-ge deul-lyeo-yo
Polite (해요체). '고맙게 생각해요' is a set expression meaning 'I'm grateful'; it is somewhat more formal in feel and common in professional or respectful contexts.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is '고마워(요), [something] 의미 있어(요)' or '감사합니다, [something] 의미 있습니다'. Here, '의미 있어(요)' means 'it is meaningful' or 'it means a lot'. You can replace '정말' (really) with '너무' (so) or '진짜' (really, casual) for emphasis. For example: '고마워요, 너무 의미 있어요' (Thank you, it means so much). To specify what means a lot, use '그 말이' (those words) or '이게' (this): '고마워요, 그 말이 정말 의미 있어요' (Thank you, those words really mean a lot). Note that '의미' is a noun meaning 'meaning', and '있어요' comes from '있다' (to exist). So literally, '의미 있어요' is 'meaning exists'. This pattern is versatile for receiving thanks or compliments.
When to use it
Use these phrases when someone thanks you for a favor, compliments your work, or expresses appreciation. For example, if a colleague says '정말 잘했어요' (You did really well), you can respond '고마워요, 정말 의미 있어요' (Thank you, that means a lot). Avoid responding with self-deprecation like '아니에요, 잘 못했어요' (No, I didn't do well), as it can seem like you're rejecting their kindness. Instead, accept the thanks or compliment graciously. In formal situations, use '감사합니다' and '의미 있습니다'. With close friends, use '고마워, 정말 의미 있어'. If you want to be extra warm, add '그 말이 큰 힘이 돼요' (Those words give me strength). Remember that receiving well is about acknowledging the other person's sentiment, not about boasting.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
지난번에 도와줘서 정말 고마웠어요.
Thank you so much for helping me last time.ji-nan-beon-e do-wa-jwo-seo jeong-mal go-ma-wot-sseo-yo고마워요, 정말 의미 있어요. 그 말이 큰 힘이 돼요.
Thank you, that means a lot. Those words really give me strength.go-ma-wo-yo, jeong-mal ui-mi i-sseo-yo. geu mal-i keun him-i dwae-yo아니에요, 제가 더 고마워요. 항상 도와주셔서 감사해요.
No, I'm the one who's more grateful. Thank you for always helping.a-ni-e-yo, je-ga deo go-ma-wo-yo. hang-sang do-wa-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-hae-yo감사합니다, 정말 큰 의미가 있습니다.
Thank you, it means a great deal.gam-sa-ham-ni-da, jeong-mal keun ui-mi-ga it-sseum-ni-daA little context goes a long way
In Korean culture, humility is valued, but excessively deflecting thanks or compliments can make the other person feel unappreciated. Accepting with a simple '고마워요' and adding '의미 있어요' shows sincerity. However, in very formal settings, a modest '감사합니다' alone may suffice. Age and hierarchy affect politeness level: use 반말 with close younger friends, 해요체 with acquaintances, and 합니다체 with superiors. Also, Koreans often use '고맙습니다' instead of '감사합니다' in warmer contexts; both are correct.
One thing to watch for
Responding to a compliment with '아니에요, 별로 잘 못했어요' (No, I didn't do well at all) to show humility.
Try this instead: This self-deprecation can seem like you're rejecting the compliment. Instead, say '고마워요, 정말 의미 있어요' (Thank you, that means a lot) to accept it gracefully. If you feel awkward, you can add '그렇게 말해주니 기뻐요' (I'm glad you say so).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you say 'Thank you, that means a lot' to a close friend in casual Korean?
Show a sample answer
고마워, 정말 의미 있어.
This uses 반말 (casual speech) with '고마워' and '의미 있어'. It's appropriate for close friends or younger people. If you're not sure about the relationship, use the polite version '고마워요, 정말 의미 있어요'.
2What is the formal polite way to say 'Thank you, it means a great deal'?
Show a sample answer
감사합니다, 정말 큰 의미가 있습니다.
This uses 합니다체 (formal polite) with '감사합니다' and '의미가 있습니다'. It's suitable for formal situations, such as with superiors or in public. A slightly less formal alternative is '감사해요, 정말 의미 있어요'.
3If someone compliments your work, what is a good response that avoids self-deprecation?
Show a sample answer
고마워요, 정말 의미 있어요. 그 말이 큰 힘이 돼요.
This accepts the compliment and adds that it gives you strength, showing gratitude without denying the praise. You could also simply say '고마워요, 정말 의미 있어요'. Avoid saying '아니에요, 잘 못했어요'.
When receiving thanks or compliments in Korean, respond with '고마워(요), 정말 의미 있어(요)' or '감사합니다, 의미 있습니다' instead of deflecting. Match the politeness level to the relationship, and remember that accepting well shows respect for the other person's feelings.
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s Korean into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr