10 Ways to Say Thank You in Korean
After this page, you can pick the right way to say “Thank You” depending on formality and relationship.
10-Second Answer
The two must-know forms are 감사합니다 (formal/safe default) and 고마워 (casual, close friends only) — but Korean has a full spectrum in between, from a business-formal 감사드립니다 to a warm, drawn-out 정말 고마워요. Which one you pick signals the relationship as much as the gratitude itself.
The Full Spectrum
| Phrase | Formality | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 감사드립니다 (gamsadeurimnida) | Extra formal/humble | Business emails, formal speeches, addressing someone very senior |
| 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) | Formal/polite default | Strangers, customers, anyone you're not close with — the safest choice |
| 고맙습니다 (gomapseumnida) | Formal, slightly warmer | Same contexts as 감사합니다, felt as a touch more personal |
| 정말 감사해요 (jeongmal gamsahaeyo) | Polite, emphatic | Adding "really/truly" for genuine gratitude, still respectful |
| 감사해요 (gamsahaeyo) | Polite-casual | Coworkers, acquaintances — 해요체, a notch softer than -합니다 |
| 고마워요 (gomawoyo) | Polite-casual, warmer | Same register as above but feels friendlier — a common middle ground |
| 고마워 (gomawo) | Casual (반말) | Close friends, people younger than you — see 감사합니다 vs 고마워 |
| 정말 고마워 (jeongmal gomawo) | Casual, emphatic | "Really, thank you" among close friends |
| 고맙다 (gomapda) | Very casual/blunt | Dictionary form — rarely said aloud this bluntly, but appears in writing/texts |
| 덕분에요 (deokbune-yo) | Polite, indirect | "It's thanks to you" — crediting the other person's help specifically, softer than a direct 감사 |
The One Rule That Matters Most
If in doubt, default to 감사합니다 — it's never wrong, even in casual settings, just slightly more formal than necessary. Downgrading to 고마워 with the wrong person (a stranger, a boss, an elder) is the mistake that actually causes offense — same logic as 반말 vs 존댓말 generally.
Quick Examples
도와주셔서 감사합니다.
dowajusyeoseo gamsahamnida.
Thank you for helping me.
도와주다 (to help) + -셔서 (honorific "because") — a common full-sentence form.
Common Mistakes
Mistake #1 — Using 고마워 with someone you just met
It's banmal — reserve it for close friends or people clearly younger than you.
Mistake #2 — Assuming 감사합니다 and 고맙습니다 are identical
Interchangeable in most contexts, but 고맙습니다 carries a slightly warmer, more personal feel.
Mini Quiz
1. Which is the safest default "thank you" with someone you don't know well?
2. What does 덕분에요 emphasize?
3. When is 고마워 (no 요) appropriate?
Related Knowledge
Learn Next
Gratitude covered — apology is the other phrase every beginner needs at the same formality granularity.
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Start today's study →Last updated: 2026-08-11 · Written and reviewed by a native Korean speaker.