How to Respond to "Thank You" in Korean: Formal and Informal Ways to Say "You're Welcome"
Learn natural Korean responses to thanks, from formal 괜찮습니다 to casual 괜찮아, and know exactly when to use each one.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
When someone says 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) or 고마워 (gomawo) to you in Korean, the reply you choose depends on who is speaking, how close you are, and the situation. Korean has several common ways to say "You're welcome," "No problem," and "Don't mention it," and each carries a different level of politeness. This lesson teaches you the most useful responses, how to pronounce them, and how to pick the right one so you sound natural rather than awkward or overly stiff.
By the end, you can…
- respond to thanks politely in formal situations using 괜찮습니다 and 아닙니다.
- respond casually to friends using 괜찮아, 뭘, and 별말씀을.
- choose the right response based on the speaker's age, status, and our relationship.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
괜찮습니다
It's fine / You're welcome (formal polite)
gwaenchanseumnida
The safest all-purpose polite reply. Use with strangers, elders, customers, or in workplaces.
괜찮아
It's fine / No problem (casual)
gwaenchana
Use only with close friends or people clearly younger than you. Never to a boss or stranger.
아닙니다
Not at all / You're welcome (very formal)
animmida
A humble, slightly formal reply. Common in service settings and with people of clearly higher status.
뭘
No problem / Don't mention it (casual)
mwol
Literally 'what,' used like 'no big deal.' Friendly and modest; best with peers or close friends.
별말씀을요
Don't mention it (polite, humble)
byeolmalsseumnyo
A warm, humble polite reply. Good when someone thanks you for a favor or compliment.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
Most Korean replies to thanks are fixed expressions, so you can memorize them as whole chunks. The key pattern is the ending: -습니다/-ㅂ니다 is formal polite, -요 is standard polite, and the bare stem with no ending is casual. Compare 괜찮습니다 (gwaenchanseumnida), 괜찮아요 (gwaenchanayo), and 괜찮아 (gwaenchana). All three mean roughly 'it's fine,' but the politeness drops with each step. Choosing the wrong level is the main risk, so match the ending to your listener.
When to use it
Use 괜찮습니다 or 아닙니다 with strangers, older people, teachers, and in customer service. Use 괜찮아요 in everyday polite conversation with acquaintances or coworkers you know reasonably well. Use 괜찮아, 뭘, or 별말씀을요 only with close friends, siblings, or people clearly younger. If you are unsure, 괜찮습니다 is never rude, while 괜찮아 can sound dismissive to someone older. When in doubt, stay polite.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
도와주셔서 감사합니다.
Thank you for helping me.dowajusyeoseo gamsahamnida괜찮습니다. 별일 아니에요.
You're welcome. It was nothing.gwaenchanseumnida. byeoril anieyo고마워, 진짜!
Thanks, really!gomawo, jinjja뭘, 별말씀을요.
No problem, don't mention it.mwol, byeolmalsseumnyoA little context goes a long way
Korean politeness is tied to age and social distance, so the same thank-you can require different replies. Responding too casually to an older person can seem disrespectful, while being overly formal with a close friend can feel distant. Listening to how the other person speaks to you is a reliable guide: mirror their level or go one step more polite.
One thing to watch for
Replying to an older person or boss with 괜찮아 because it is shorter and easier to remember.
Try this instead: Use 괜찮습니다 or 괜찮아요 instead. For example, say 괜찮습니다, 별일 아니에요 (gwaenchanseumnida, byeoril anieyo) to a teacher or colleague you do not know well. Save 괜찮아 for close friends and younger people.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1A coworker you just met says 감사합니다. Which reply fits best?
Show a sample answer
괜찮습니다.
A new coworker calls for polite speech, and 괜찮습니다 is safe and natural. 괜찮아요 is also acceptable in many workplaces, but 괜찮아 would sound too casual.
2Your close friend says 고마워. Give one natural casual reply.
Show a sample answer
뭘.
뭘 is a friendly, modest way to say 'no problem' among close friends. 괜찮아 or 별말씀을요 also work here, depending on tone.
3You want a humble, polite way to say 'Don't mention it' to an older neighbor. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
별말씀을요.
별말씀을요 is polite and humble, suitable for an older neighbor. 괜찮습니다 is also fine, but 별말씀을요 adds warmth and modesty.
Match your reply to the relationship: 괜찮습니다 for formal and unfamiliar, 괜찮아요 for everyday polite, and 괜찮아 or 뭘 for close friends. When unsure, choose the more polite form.
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