How to say "Merci" in Korean

In Korean culture, expressing gratitude is deeply tied to hierarchy, formality, and social context. Unlike in French where Merci works across most situations, Korean has layered expressions that reflect your relationship with the listener, their age, and status. Using the wrong level can sound overly familiar or even rude. Always observe how others speak first, and when in doubt, err on the side of politeness.

1. Formal situations (to strangers, elders, or superiors) Use this when speaking to people you don’t know, older individuals, or those in higher positions (e.g., bosses, teachers). The phrase is 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida).

   • 감사합니다, 선생님!
     Thank you, teacher!
   • 감사합니다, 손님. 편안히 가세요.
     Thank you, customer. Have a pleasant day.

2. Polite but friendly (to acquaintances, coworkers, or younger people) A slightly softer but still respectful option is 고마워요 (gomawoyo). Use this with people you know casually or when you want to sound warm but still polite.

   • 고마워요, 민수 씨!
     Thank you, Minsu!
   • 고마워요, 도와주셔서 정말 감사해요.
     Thank you for helping me; I really appreciate it.

3. Casual (to close friends or younger people) For close friends or people much younger than you, use 고마워 (gomawo). This is informal and should never be used with strangers, elders, or in professional settings.

   • 고마워, 친구야!
     Thanks, friend!
   • 고마워, 이거 정말 맛있어!
     Thanks, this is really delicious!

4. Adding emphasis (for stronger gratitude) To show deeper appreciation, you can combine the phrase with 정말 (really) or 진짜 (really, casual).

   • 정말 감사합니다!
     Thank you so much!
   • 진짜 고마워!
     Thanks a lot!

👉 Most useful for daily life: Start by memorizing 고마워요 (gomawoyo). It’s polite enough for most casual interactions (e.g., with shopkeepers, coworkers) and works well until you learn the more formal 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) for formal settings.