The Nuances of Saying Thank You in Korean
In Korean culture, politeness and respect are highly valued. This extends to how we express gratitude. The way you say thank you in Korean often depends on the person you're speaking to and the context of the situation. Simply saying "kamsahamnida" might suffice in some cases, but more specific and layered expressions can convey a deeper level of appreciation.
The importance of using the right thank you message in Korean cannot be overstated. It shows that you understand and respect the cultural norms and that you've put thought into your expression of gratitude. This can leave a lasting positive impression and foster goodwill.
Here's a breakdown of some key considerations:
- Formality levels: Korean has different speech levels.
- Relationship with the speaker: Are they older, younger, a friend, or a superior?
| Situation | Common Expression |
|---|---|
| General Thank You | 감사합니다 (Kamsahamnida) |
| Informal Thank You | 고마워 (Gomawo) |
Thank You Messages in Korean for a Gift
- 선물 감사합니다! (Seonmul kamsahamnida!) - Thank you for the gift!
- 정말 마음에 들어요. (Jeongmal maeume deureoyo.) - I really like it.
- 이렇게 좋은 선물을 주시다니, 감사합니다. (Ireoke joheun seonmureul jusidani, kamsahamnida.) - Thank you for giving me such a wonderful gift.
- 제 생각해서 준비해주신 것 같아요. 감사합니다. (Je saenggakhaeseo junbihaejusin geot gatayo. Kamsahamnida.) - I feel like you prepared this thinking of me. Thank you.
- 정말 필요한 선물이었어요. 감사합니다. (Jeongmal piryohan seonmuriyeosseoyo. Kamsahamnida.) - This was a really necessary gift. Thank you.
- 이 선물 덕분에 행복해요. 감사합니다. (I seonmul deokbune haengbokhaeyo. Kamsahamnida.) - I'm happy thanks to this gift. Thank you.
- 열심히 사용할게요. 감사합니다. (Yeolsimhi sayonghalgeyo. Kamsahamnida.) - I will use it diligently. Thank you.
- 제 취향을 어떻게 아시고 이런 선물을... 감사합니다. (Je chwihyangeul eotteoke asigo ireon seonmureul... Kamsahamnida.) - How did you know my taste to give such a gift... Thank you.
- 잊지 못할 선물이 될 거예요. 감사합니다. (Itji motal seommuri doel geoyeyo. Kamsahamnida.) - It will be an unforgettable gift. Thank you.
- 따뜻한 마음이 담긴 선물, 정말 감사합니다. (Ttatteuthan maeumi damgin seonmul, jeongmal kamsahamnida.) - A gift with a warm heart, thank you so much.
Thank You Messages in Korean for Help
- 도와주셔서 감사합니다. (Dowajusyeoseo kamsahamnida.) - Thank you for helping me.
- 큰 도움이 됐어요. 감사합니다. (Keun doumi dwaesseoyo. Kamsahamnida.) - It was a great help. Thank you.
- 제가 혼자서는 못 했을 거예요. 감사합니다. (Jega honjaseoneun mot haesseul geoyeyo. Kamsahamnida.) - I wouldn't have been able to do it alone. Thank you.
- 신세 많이 졌습니다. (Sinse mani jyeotseumnida.) - I owe you a lot. (Implies deep gratitude for help)
- 덕분에 일이 잘 끝났습니다. 감사합니다. (Deokbune iri jal kkeunnatseumnida. Kamsahamnida.) - Thanks to you, the work finished well. Thank you.
- 바쁘신데도 도와주셔서 정말 감사합니다. (Bappeusindedo dowajusyeoseo jeongmal kamsahamnida.) - Thank you so much for helping me even though you were busy.
- 다음에 꼭 보답하겠습니다. (Daeume kkok bodapaketseumnida.) - I will definitely repay you next time.
- 친절하게 도와주셔서 감사합니다. (Chinjeolhage dowajusyeoseo kamsahamnida.) - Thank you for kindly helping me.
- 정말 큰 힘이 됐습니다. 감사합니다. (Jeongmal keun himi dwaetseumnida. Kamsahamnida.) - It was a great strength. Thank you.
- 덕분에 마음이 놓입니다. 감사합니다. (Deokbune maeumi noinida. Kamsahamnida.) - Thanks to you, I feel relieved. Thank you.
Thank You Messages in Korean for a Meal
- 잘 먹었습니다. (Jal meogeotseumnida.) - I ate well. (Standard phrase after a meal)
- 맛있게 잘 먹었습니다. (Masitge jal meogeotseumnida.) - I ate deliciously and well.
- 정말 잘 먹었습니다! (Jeongmal jal meogeotseumnida!) - I really ate well!
- 덕분에 정말 배부르고 맛있게 먹었습니다. (Deokbune jeongmal baebureugo masitge meogeotseumnida.) - Thanks to you, I ate very full and delicious.
- 오늘 정말 잘 얻어먹었습니다. 감사합니다. (Oneul jeongmal jal eodeomeogeotseumnida. Kamsahamnida.) - I really got treated today. Thank you.
- 이렇게 푸짐하게 차려주셔서 감사합니다. (Ireoke pujimhage charyeojusyeoseo kamsahamnida.) - Thank you for preparing such a generous meal.
- 음식 하나하나 정말 맛있었어요. (Eumsik hanahana jeongmal masisseosseoyo.) - Every single dish was really delicious.
- 다음에도 꼭 같이 먹고 싶어요. (Daeumedo kkok gachi meokgo sipeoyo.) - I definitely want to eat together next time too.
- 초대해주셔서 감사합니다. (Chodaehaejusyeoseo kamsahamnida.) - Thank you for inviting me.
- 정말 즐거운 식사 시간이었습니다. (Jeongmal jeulgeoun siksa siganiyeosseumnida.) - It was a truly enjoyable mealtime.
Thank You Messages in Korean for Kindness
- 친절해주셔서 감사합니다. (Chinjeolhaejusyeoseo kamsahamnida.) - Thank you for your kindness.
- 마음 써주셔서 감사합니다. (Maeum sseojusyeoseo kamsahamnida.) - Thank you for your thoughtfulness.
- 따뜻한 말씀 감사합니다. (Ttatteuthan malsseum kamsahamnida.) - Thank you for your warm words.
- 늘 신경 써주셔서 감사합니다. (Neul singyeong sseojusyeoseo kamsahamnida.) - Thank you for always paying attention to me.
- 정말 고맙습니다. (Jeongmal gomapseumnida.) - Thank you so much.
- 이 은혜 잊지 않겠습니다. (I eunhye itji anketseumnida.) - I will not forget this favor/grace.
- 걱정해주셔서 감사합니다. (Geokjeonghaejusyeoseo kamsahamnida.) - Thank you for worrying about me.
- 덕분에 마음이 편해졌어요. (Deokbune maeumi pyeonhaejyeosseoyo.) - Thanks to you, I feel at ease.
- 먼 길 와주셔서 감사합니다. (Meon gil wajusyeoseo kamsahamnida.) - Thank you for coming from afar.
- 항상 저를 생각해 주셔서 감사합니다. (Hangsang jeoreul saenggakhae jusyeoseo kamsahamnida.) - Thank you for always thinking of me.
Thank You Messages in Korean for Work/Effort
- 수고하셨습니다. (Sugohasyeotseumnida.) - You worked hard. (Commonly said to someone who has finished work)
- 노력해주셔서 감사합니다. (Noryeokhaejusyeoseo kamsahamnida.) - Thank you for your effort.
- 고생 많으셨습니다. (Gosaeng maneusyeotseumnida.) - You went through a lot of trouble. (Similar to 수고하셨습니다.)
- 덕분에 일이 잘 진행되었습니다. 감사합니다. (Deokbune iri jal jinhaengdoeeotseumnida. Kamsahamnida.) - Thanks to you, the work proceeded well. Thank you.
- 최선을 다해주셔서 감사합니다. (Choeseoneul dahaejusyeoseo kamsahamnida.) - Thank you for doing your best.
- 이 프로젝트를 위해 애써주셔서 감사합니다. (I peurojekteureul wihae aesseojusyeoseo kamsahamnida.) - Thank you for your hard work on this project.
- 헌신적인 노력에 감사합니다. (Heonsinjeogin noryeoge kamsahamnida.) - Thank you for your dedicated effort.
- 당신의 노고에 깊이 감사합니다. (Dangsinui nogo-e gipi kamsahamnida.) - I deeply thank you for your hard work.
- 이 결과를 만들어주셔서 감사합니다. (I gyeolgwareul mandeureojusyeoseo kamsahamnida.) - Thank you for creating this result.
- 다음에 더 좋은 결과 있도록 노력하겠습니다. (Daeume deo joheun gyeolgwa ittdorok noryeokhaketseumnida.) - I will strive to achieve even better results next time.