First Greetings & Survival Phrases · Lesson 2 of 6

Thank You & Sorry

감사합니다, 죄송합니다, and the friendly 괜찮아요 that answers them both.

10 min

Politeness words do the most work per syllable of anything you'll learn. With today's four phrases, you can already be a genuinely pleasant person in Korean.

Thank you

감사합니다

gamsahamnida

Thank you (polite default)

The safe choice everywhere — shops, taxis, strangers. When in doubt, this one.

고마워요

gomawoyo

Thanks (warm, a little softer)

Friendly-polite — nice with people you see often. Drop the 요 (고마워) only with close friends.

Sorry

죄송합니다

joesonghamnida

I'm sorry (polite default)

Also perfect for getting past someone in a crowd, like “excuse me”.

미안해요

mianhaeyo

Sorry (softer, more personal)

For friends and people close to you. 미안해 is the fully casual version.

팁

Notice the pattern: the ~합니다 forms (감사합니다, 죄송합니다) are the formal pair, and the ~요 forms are the warmer everyday pair. That two-level system is the heart of Korean politeness — you're already using it.

The universal answer: 괜찮아요

괜찮아요

gwaenchanayo

It's okay / I'm fine / No, thank you

Answers an apology (“no worries”), declines an offer politely, and reassures someone you're fine. One phrase, three jobs.

Try it

A café worker hands you your drink. What do you say?Show answer

감사합니다 — the polite default thank-you for staff and strangers.

Someone bumps into you and says 죄송합니다. How do you reply?Show answer

괜찮아요 — “it's okay.” Warm, gracious, done.

What you just learned

감사합니다 / 죄송합니다 — the formal, always-safe pair.
고마워요 / 미안해요 — the warmer everyday pair.
괜찮아요 — the all-purpose “it's okay / I'm fine / no thanks”.

Quick check

Did it stick?

Three quick questions — instant answers, no grades, no pressure.

1.The always-safe thank-you for staff and strangers is…

2.Someone apologizes to you. The gracious reply is…

3.죄송합니다 can also be used to…

Found this helpful? Share it with a fellow learner.

Want the why behind the words?

The reading path explains the culture and logic that make Korean click — a perfect companion to these lessons.

Back to the Learning Path