Korean for Beginners: Accept and Decline Invitations Casually
Learn to say 'Sure, sounds fun!' and 'I can't, but thanks!' in casual Korean with friends, plus a simple reason. Includes pronunciation, dialogue, and practice.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
When a friend invites you out in Korean, you often need a quick, friendly yes or no. This lesson teaches two key patterns: enthusiastic acceptance with 좋아, 재미있겠다! (joa, jaemiitgetda!) and polite refusal with 못 가, 고마워! (mot ga, gomawo!). You'll also learn how to add a short reason, like being busy. These phrases are for casual situations with close friends or people your age. They are not for formal RSVPs, where you would use different, more polite language. By the end, you'll be able to respond naturally and keep the tone light.
By the end, you can…
- accept an invitation casually with 좋아, 재미있겠다!
- decline politely with 못 가, 고마워! and give a simple reason.
- use the verb 가다 (gada, to go) in casual speech.
- recognize when to use casual vs. formal responses.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
좋아, 재미있겠다!
Sure, sounds fun!
joa, jaemiitgetda
Use with close friends when you genuinely like the plan. 좋아 (jo-a) means 'good' or 'sure'.
못 가, 고마워!
I can't go, but thanks!
mot ga, gomawo
Casual refusal. 못 (mot) means 'cannot'; 가 (ga) is the casual stem of 가다 (gada, to go).
바빠서 못 가.
I'm busy, so I can't go.
bappaseo mot ga
Add a reason with -아서/어서 (-aseo/eoseo). 바빠서 (bappaseo) means 'because I'm busy'.
다음에 가자!
Let's go next time!
daeume gaja
Friendly way to suggest another time after declining. 가자 (gaja) means 'let's go'.
미안, 약속이 있어.
Sorry, I have plans.
mian, yaksogi isseo
Another reason for declining. 약속 (yaksok) means 'appointment' or 'plans'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To accept casually, use 좋아, 재미있겠다! (joa, jaemiitgetda!). 좋아 (joa) is a casual 'sure' or 'good'. 재미있겠다 (jaemiitgetda) literally means 'it will be fun', showing enthusiasm. To decline, use 못 가 (mot ga) + 고마워 (gomawo). 못 (mot) means 'cannot', and 가 (ga) is the casual present tense of 가다 (gada, to go). Add a reason with -아서/어서 (-aseo/eoseo): 바빠서 (bappaseo) = 'because I'm busy'. Example: 바빠서 못 가, 고마워. (bappaseo mot ga, gomawo.) = 'I'm busy, so I can't go, thanks.'
When to use it
Use these phrases with close friends, classmates, or people younger than you. They are informal and flexible, not for formal RSVPs like wedding invitations or business events. In formal situations, you would say things like 참석하지 못합니다 (chamseokhaji mot hamnida) for 'I cannot attend' or 가겠습니다 (agetsseumnida) for 'I will go'. With friends, keep it light: 좋아, 재미있겠다! or 미안, 약속이 있어. (mian, yaksogi isseo.) If you decline, adding 다음에 가자! (daeume gaja!) keeps the door open.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
주말에 영화 보러 갈래?
Do you want to go see a movie this weekend?jumare yeonghwa boreo gallae?좋아, 재미있겠다!
Sure, sounds fun!joa, jaemiitgetda!그럼 토요일 어때?
Then how about Saturday?geureom toyoil eottae?미안, 토요일은 바빠서 못 가. 다음에 가자!
Sorry, I'm busy on Saturday so I can't go. Let's go next time!mian, toyoireun bappaseo mot ga. daeume gaja!A little context goes a long way
In Korean, casual speech (반말, banmal) is used with close friends, but you should switch to polite speech (존댓말, jondaemal) with acquaintances, older people, or in formal settings. Declining an invitation directly is acceptable among friends, but adding a short reason and a suggestion for next time (다음에 가자!) softens the refusal. Avoid using these casual phrases with someone you just met or in professional contexts.
One thing to watch for
Using 안 가 (an ga) to mean 'I can't go'.
Try this instead: 안 가 (an ga) means 'I don't go' or 'I won't go', which can sound like you simply refuse. For 'cannot', use 못 가 (mot ga). Example: 바빠서 못 가. (bappaseo mot ga.) = 'I'm busy, so I can't go.'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Your friend asks you to go to a concert. You want to accept enthusiastically. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
좋아, 재미있겠다!
This matches the enthusiastic acceptance pattern. You could also say 좋아, 재미있겠다! with a smile. Other valid answers include 좋아, 가자! (joa, gaja!) but the target phrase is preferred.
2You can't go because you have plans. How do you decline politely in casual Korean?
Show a sample answer
미안, 약속이 있어서 못 가. 고마워!
This uses 미안 (mian) for 'sorry', 약속이 있어서 (yaksogi isseoseo) for 'because I have plans', and 못 가 (mot ga) for 'can't go'. You could also say 바빠서 못 가, 고마워. Both are correct.
3What is the casual stem of the verb 가다 (gada, to go) used in '못 가'?
Show a sample answer
가 (ga)
가 (ga) is the casual present tense stem of 가다 (gada). In '못 가' (mot ga), it means 'cannot go'. The polite form would be 가요 (gayo) or 갑니다 (gamnida).
With close friends, accept with 좋아, 재미있겠다! and decline with 못 가, 고마워! plus a short reason. Save polite forms for formal situations.
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