thank you in korean
How to Say "Thank You" in Korean (고마워 / 감사합니다): All Levels
감사합니다
gamsahamnida
Quick answer
Say 고마워 (gomawo) to a friend and 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) in formal settings — they both mean thank you but belong to different social levels.
Common forms
| Register | Hangul | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| casual | 고마워 | gomawo | Said to close friends or younger people — warm and informal. |
| polite | 고마워요 | gomawoyo | Slightly more polite than 고마워, yet warmer than 감사합니다 — a friendly middle ground. |
| formal | 감사합니다 | gamsahamnida | Standard in shops, offices, or any situation requiring full politeness. |
| really thank you | 정말 감사합니다 | jeongmal gamsahamnida | Adding 정말 (jeongmal, really/truly) deepens sincerity in formal settings. |
How it changes by relationship
고마워!
Gomawo!
to a close friend or younger person: Light and natural — what you'll hear constantly in K-dramas between friends.
고마워요.
Gomawoyo.
to someone a bit older (polite): Adds a soft respectful tone without becoming stiff.
감사합니다.
Gamsahamnida.
to a senior, stranger, or in service settings: Safe choice anywhere you're unsure of the social level.
정말 감사합니다.
Jeongmal gamsahamnida.
in a heartfelt or emotional moment: Used when genuinely moved — a doctor thanking a patient, a speech, an award.
Examples
도와줘서 고마워!
Dowajwoseo gomawo!
Thanks for helping me!
선물 감사합니다.
Seonmul gamsahamnida.
Thank you for the gift.
항상 고마워요.
Hangsang gomawoyo.
I'm always thankful.
Usage note
English speakers sometimes use 감사합니다 with every stranger thinking it's just the polite 'thank you,' but 고마워요 is often warmer and more natural in everyday interactions — reserving 감사합니다 only for very formal moments can actually sound stiff in casual settings.
Mini quiz
What is the primary Korean phrase for "thank you" here?
FAQ
What's the difference between 고마워 and 감사합니다?
Both mean thank you. 고마워 (gomawo) is casual and warm; 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) is formal and used in professional or respectful contexts. See gomawo-vs-kamsahamnida.
How do I say 'thank you so much'?
정말 감사합니다 (jeongmal gamsahamnida) or 너무 고마워 (neomu gomawo) — both work depending on the register.
What's the reply to thank you in Korean?
Common replies: 아니에요 (anieyo, don't mention it), 천만에요 (cheonmaneyo, you're welcome — a bit formal), or just a smile and 응 (eung, yeah) between friends.