Korean Short Answers: How to Say Yes Politely Without Repeating the Whole Sentence
Learn Korean short answers for yes/no questions. Use 네, 맞아요, and the polite -요 verb ending to reply briefly and naturally in everyday conversation.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In Korean, when someone asks a yes/no question, you usually do not repeat the whole sentence. Instead, you answer with a short word or a small phrase. The most common polite yes is 네 (ne), but it is not the only option. You can also use 맞아요 (majayo, "that's right") or repeat just the verb stem with the polite ending -요 (-yo). This lesson teaches three reusable patterns so you can answer politely without sounding like a textbook. You will also learn how to ask simple questions to staff in shops and cafes, and how to reply with a short answer instead of a full sentence.
By the end, you can…
- answer a yes/no question in Korean with a short polite reply.
- use 네, 맞아요, and the -요 verb ending to confirm or agree.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
네, 맞아요.
Yes, that's right.
ne, ma-ja-yo
Polite and friendly. Use when someone asks if something is correct or true.
네, 좋아요.
Yes, that's good. / Yes, I like it.
ne, jo-a-yo
Use when agreeing to a suggestion or saying you like something.
네, 있어요.
Yes, there is. / Yes, I have it.
ne, i-sseo-yo
Use when someone asks if something exists or if you have something.
네, 해요.
Yes, I do. / Yes, I do it.
ne, hae-yo
Use when someone asks if you do an action, like drinking coffee or studying.
네, 괜찮아요.
Yes, it's okay. / Yes, I'm fine.
ne, gwaen-chan-a-yo
Use when someone asks if you are okay or if something is acceptable.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The simplest polite yes is 네 (ne). You can use it alone, but adding a short phrase makes your answer warmer. A very useful pattern is 네 + verb stem + -요. For example, if someone asks "커피 마셔요?" (keopi masyeoyo? "Do you drink coffee?"), you can answer "네, 마셔요" (ne, masyeoyo, "Yes, I drink it"). The verb stem 마시- (masi-) becomes 마셔요 (masyeoyo) in the present polite form. Another pattern is 네, 맞아요 (ne, majayo), which means "Yes, that's right." Use it when confirming information, not for actions. For actions, use the verb. For existence, use 있어요 (isseoyo). For example, "시간 있어요?" (sigan isseoyo? "Do you have time?") can be answered "네, 있어요" (ne, isseoyo, "Yes, I have time").
When to use it
Use 네 (ne) in most polite situations: with strangers, staff, older people, and in shops or cafes. If you are close friends with someone, you can use 응 (eung), but it is less polite. When a staff member asks "봉투 필요하세요?" (bongtu piryohaeyo? "Do you need a bag?"), you can answer "네, 필요해요" (ne, piryohaeyo, "Yes, I need one"). If you want to be extra polite, you can say "네, 감사합니다" (ne, gamsahamnida, "Yes, thank you"). Do not use 네 alone if the question is negative, like "안 마셔요?" (an masyeoyo? "You don't drink it?"). In that case, answer with the verb: "아니요, 마셔요" (aniyo, masyeoyo, "No, I do drink it"). This avoids confusion.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
커피 마셔요?
Do you drink coffee?keo-pi ma-syeo-yo?네, 마셔요.
Yes, I do.ne, ma-syeo-yo.우유 넣어요?
Do you put milk in it?u-yu neo-eo-yo?네, 넣어요.
Yes, I do.ne, neo-eo-yo.A little context goes a long way
In Korean, 네 (ne) is the standard polite yes. It is safe in almost any public situation. However, when someone asks a negative question, answering 네 can be confusing. For example, "안 마셔요?" (an masyeoyo? "You don't drink it?") is better answered with the verb: "아니요, 마셔요" (aniyo, masyeoyo, "No, I do drink it"). Also, using the polite -요 ending is normal with staff and acquaintances. Dropping it can sound rude unless you are very close to the person.
One thing to watch for
Answering a negative question with 네, which can sound like you agree with the negative.
Try this instead: When the question is negative, answer with the verb instead. For example, if asked "안 마셔요?" (an masyeoyo? "You don't drink it?"), say "아니요, 마셔요" (aniyo, masyeoyo, "No, I do drink it"). This makes your meaning clear.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1A staff member asks "봉투 필요하세요?" (Do you need a bag?). You do need one. What is a polite short answer?
Show a sample answer
네, 필요해요.
This uses 네 plus the verb 필요해요 (piryohaeyo, "I need it"). It is polite and short. You could also say 네, 주세요 (ne, juseyo, "Yes, please give me one") if you want to ask for it.
2Your friend asks "매운 거 먹어요?" (Do you eat spicy food?). You do eat it. What is a natural short answer?
Show a sample answer
네, 먹어요.
This repeats the verb 먹어요 (meogeoyo, "I eat it") with 네. It is correct and natural. You could also say 네, 좋아해요 (ne, joahaeyo, "Yes, I like it") if you want to say you like it.
3Someone asks "시간 있어요?" (Do you have time?). You do have time. What is a short polite answer?
Show a sample answer
네, 있어요.
있어요 (isseoyo) means "there is" or "I have." It is the correct short answer for existence. You could also say 네, 괜찮아요 (ne, gwaenchanayo, "Yes, it's okay") if the context is about being available.
Use 네 (ne) plus a short verb ending in -요 to answer politely without repeating the whole sentence. For negative questions, answer with the verb to avoid confusion.
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