{"id":79586,"date":"2022-10-18T14:42:09","date_gmt":"2022-10-18T18:42:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/youre-welcome-in-korean\/"},"modified":"2024-11-18T22:44:55","modified_gmt":"2024-11-19T03:44:55","slug":"youre-welcome-in-korean","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/korean\/youre-welcome-in-korean\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Ways to Say You\u2019re Welcome in Korean"},"content":{"rendered":"

Learning how to say \u201cthank you\u201d<\/a> in Korean is only half the battle. Besides learning how to give thanks, you have to learn how to accept and respond to them as well.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s go over some of the ways you can say \u201cyou\u2019re welcome\u201d in Korean<\/strong>. For each, I\u2019ve included extra tips and info to help you figure out which expressions may work best in different contexts.<\/p>\n

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Formal Ways to Say You’re Welcome in Korean<\/h2>\n

\uc544\ub2d9\ub2c8\ub2e4 (ah-nip-ni-da)<\/em> \/ \uc544\ub2c8\uc5d0\uc694 (ah-ni-eh-yo)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

English:<\/strong> It\u2019s nothing, no problem<\/p>\n

These two phrases almost literally translate to \u201cit\u2019s not\u201d or \u201cit\u2019s nothing.\u201d You can say them with a simple smile, to show that it was your pleasure to help someone out.<\/p>\n

\uc544\ub2d9\ub2c8\ub2e4<\/strong> is appropriate for your seniors and those deserving respect. You can say \uc544\ub2c8\uc5d0\uc694<\/strong> for acquaintances and strangers. \uc544\ub2c8\uc57c\u00a0(ah-ni-ya)<\/em> is informal and appropriate for friends and family.<\/p>\n

Actually, this is what you\u2019ll probably hear more often in native conversations, as opposed to \ucc9c\ub9cc\uc5d0\uc694<\/strong> (see #3). And luckily, it\u2019s easy to remember!<\/p>\n

\uc608 (yeh)<\/em> \/ \ub124 (neh)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

English:<\/strong> Yes<\/p>\n

That\u2019s right, you could also just respond to thanks with a simple \u201cyes.\u201d It\u2019s similar to how in English we would say \u201cMhm\u201d or \u201cSure thing\u201d when we get thanked.<\/p>\n

A simple \u201cyes\u201d can be the appropriate response when the request you carry out is very minor and hardly an inconvenience, such as opening a door for someone.<\/p>\n

\uc608<\/strong> is very polite and formal. \ub124<\/strong> is slightly less so. \uc5b4\u00a0(uh)<\/em> and \uc751\u00a0(eung)<\/em> are very informal.<\/p>\n

Like the previously mentioned \uc544\ub2d9\ub2c8\ub2e4<\/strong>, the Korean \u201cyes\u201d response is more often used than the matter-of-fact \u201cyou\u2019re welcome\u201d Korean phrases. It\u2019s so simple and short, that it may very well be your go-to reply for any thanks.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re still afraid it sounds a little curt, you can stretch it out. For example, instead of a quick \uc608<\/strong>, draw it out like \uc608~~~<\/strong>. This drawl method is a common way in Korean to emphasize a word and the sentiment behind it.<\/p>\n

Polite Ways to Say You’re Welcome in Korean<\/h2>\n

\ucc9c\ub9cc\uc5d0\uc694 (chun-man-eh-yo)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

English:<\/strong> You\u2019re welcome<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a \u201cyou\u2019re welcome\u201d phrase you\u2019ll probably find in Korean learner textbooks<\/a>, though you may not actually hear it used often. That\u2019s because it\u2019s a bit dated, and Korean natives won\u2019t usually respond to thanks with this phrase.<\/p>\n

You can still use it though, to show that you appreciate the thanks, though I suggest you not use it too often. After all, if you want to practice your Korean conversational skills<\/a>, you should learn some more common and natural-sounding ways to say \u201cyou\u2019re welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n

\ubcc4\uac70 \uc544\ub2c8\uc5d0\uc694 (byul-guh ah-ni-eh-yo)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

English:<\/strong> It\u2019s nothing special<\/p>\n

\ubcc4\uac70 means something of uniqueness or rarity. So with this phrase, you\u2019re quite literally saying that what you did was nothing important.<\/p>\n

Humility is always a nice virtue, and it\u2019s especially appreciated in Korean culture<\/a>. You can show some of your modesty with this phrase, to urge that whatever you\u2019ve done was no deal at all.<\/p>\n

To be formal, you can say \ubcc4\uac70 \uc544\ub2d9\ub2c8\ub2e4\u00a0(byul-guh ah-nip-ni-da<\/em>). To be informal, you can say \ubcc4\uac70 \uc544\ub2c8\uc57c\u00a0(byul-guh ah-ni-ya)<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\ubcc4\ub9d0\uc500\uc744\uc694 (byul-mal-sseum-eul-yo)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

English:<\/strong> It\u2019s not worth mentioning<\/p>\n

As lovely as this expression is in showing how humble you are, it may not be one that you\u2019ll hear often in the wild.<\/p>\n

But you can certainly use it when it seems appropriate\u2013I\u2019d say it can work best if someone is consistently extolling your graciousness or appears eager to tell someone else about your deed.<\/p>\n

To be more formal, you can say \ubcc4 \ub9d0\uc500\uc744 \ub2e4 \ud558\uc2ed\ub2c8\ub2e4<\/strong>\u00a0(byul mal-sseum-eul da ha-ship-ni-da)<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\uad1c\ucc2e\uc544\uc694 (gwaen-chan-ah-yo)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

English:<\/strong> It\u2019s alright<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve probably heard or used this phrase already as a way to say that yes, you are (physically and or mentally) okay.<\/p>\n

However, it can also work as a polite \u201cyou\u2019re welcome,\u201d particularly if whoever\u2019s thanking you is especially insistent on returning the favor somehow. Remember my warning about those pushy people, they\u2019re everywhere!<\/p>\n

To be more informal and casual, just drop the \uc694 and say \uad1c\ucc2e\uc544\u00a0(gwaen-chan-ah)<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\ubb58\uc694 (mwol-yo)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

English:<\/strong> For what<\/p>\n

In English, we can exclaim \u201cFor what?\u201d (with a bit of fake indignation) to suggest that one\u2019s thanks was wholly unnecessary. The Korean counterpart, \ubb58\uc694<\/strong>, works similarly. Say it inquiringly and with some good-hearted chagrin.<\/p>\n

Because of this, I recommend you use this phrase for scenarios in which it\u2019s okay to be more casual and chummy with the individual.<\/p>\n

With your friends, you can be even more informal and simply say \ubb58<\/strong>. Drag out the word to really show you\u2019re not going to put up with their fancy gratitude!<\/p>\n

Informal Ways to Say You’re Welcome in Korean<\/h2>\n

\ud544\uc694\uac00 \uc5c6\uc5b4\uc11c (pil-yo-ga up-suh-suh)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

English:<\/strong> There\u2019s no need<\/p>\n

This one works well when you really don\u2019t think thanks is necessary, at all. It\u2019s a nice and heartfelt-sounding expression that while relatively respectful isn\u2019t so stuffy, so you can use it for good acquaintances, too.<\/p>\n

By the way, you may encounter some Korean folks who are very pushy about repaying you for your kindness. Believe me when I say that a few grateful chaps can be really persistent to the point of intimidation. It\u2019s a bit of a cultural thing that\u2019s very pronounced in the act of gift-giving.<\/p>\n

So accept their verbal thanks with grace, and once they start gloriously detailing how they can pay you back, stop them with a firm \ud544\uc694\uac00 \uc5c6\uc5b4\uc11c<\/strong>. To be more polite, you can say \ud544\uc694\uac00 \uc5c6\uc5b4\uc11c\uc694\u00a0(pil-yo-ga up-suh-suh-yo<\/em>), and to be formal, you can say \ud544\uc694\uac00 \uc5c6\uc5b4\uc11c\uc785\ub2c8\ub2e4\u00a0(pil-yo-ga up-suh-suh-ip-ni-da)<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\uace0\ub9d9\uae34 (go-mahp-gin)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

English:<\/strong> Not at all \/ No need to be thankful<\/p>\n

The phrase is a contraction of \uace0\ub9d9\uae30\ub294. \uae30\ub294 is often used to affirm the truth of the statement that precedes it, but it also suggests that the statement coming after it will serve to disagree with the prior one.<\/p>\n

In this case, \uace0\ub9d9\uae34<\/strong> essentially implies that you understand that someone is thankful, but you\u2019re not necessarily in agreement with it. In other words, the \u201cthank you\u201d wasn\u2019t needed.<\/p>\n

You can say \uace0\ub9d9\uae34<\/strong> by itself, but you can also add it alongside other phrases like \ubb58 (\uace0\ub9d9\uae34 \ubb58).<\/p>\n

To make it more polite, you can say \uace0\ub9d9\uae34\uc694\u00a0(go-mahp-gin-yo)<\/em> or \uac10\uc0ac\ud558\uae34\uc694\u00a0(gahm-sa-ha-gin-yo)<\/em>. The latter follows the same structure as the former, but it utilizes another way to say thank you in Korean, \uac10\uc0ac\ud569\ub2c8\ub2e4.<\/p>\n

If you want to learn more about how to say “you’re welcome” in Korean, check out this video from the FluentU Korean YouTube channel:<\/p>\n

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How to Practice Saying “You’re Welcome” in Korean<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Well, you yourself can create constant opportunities to practice saying \u201cyou\u2019re welcome.\u201d Simply be kind and gracious to Korean folks, and voila<\/em>, you\u2019ve got a chance to try out any one of the phrases on the list!<\/p>\n

But if there aren\u2019t any Korean speakers around, then check out resources that can show you realistic scenarios in which \u201cthank you\u201d and \u201cyou\u2019re welcome\u201d expressions would be used<\/strong>. One great example is video-based media, like movies, TV shows or even short Internet clips, all of which can be found on FluentU<\/a>.<\/p>\n

FluentU<\/strong> takes authentic videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.<\/p>\r\n

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