괜찮아
gwaenchana
In Korean, the phrase for "all good" is expressed as 괜찮아 (gwaenchana).
The phrase is used to express that something is alright or that you are okay. It can also serve as a polite way to decline an offer, functioning similarly to "No, thank you, I'm good" in English.
Meaning: all good (phrase)
Which one should you use?
The default form 괜찮아 is informal and should only be used with close friends or people younger than you. For more structured or respectful situations, different endings are used to adjust the level of politeness.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can adjust the politeness of the phrase by changing the verb ending. Adding the suffix –요 to the base makes the phrase polite (괜찮아요), making it suitable for use with strangers or superiors. For highly formal or professional settings, the form 괜찮습니다 is used.
How do you pronounce it?
gwaenchana
Did you know?
- In Korean culture, saying 괜찮아요 when offered more food or a drink is often just the first step of a polite social dance. The giver may offer several more times, and the receiver is expected to decline a few times before finally accepting.
- While 괜찮아 is the standard way to say 'it is okay', the root of the word is historically linked to the concept of 'not being a problem' or 'not being a bother', emphasizing the lack of an issue rather than the presence of goodness.
- Even though 괜찮아 is often used to mean 'I am okay', it can also be used to ask a question like 'Are you okay?' simply by raising the intonation at the end of the word.
Examples in context
- 모두 좋습니다. 감사합니다.All good. Thank you.
- 다 괜찮아요. 걱정 마세요.All good. Don't worry.
- 괜찮아, 걱정하지 마.gwaenchanha, geokjeonghaji ma.It's all good, don't worry.
- 다 괜찮아, 정말이야.da gwaenchanha, jeongmariya.Everything is all good, really.
- 사과 안 해도 괜찮아.sagwa an haedo gwaenchanha.It's all good, you don't have to apologize.
Example conversation
Subin accidentally bumps into Jihun in a hallway.
- 지훈 Ji-hun앗, 미안해! 괜찮아?at, mianhae! gwaenchana?Oops, sorry! Are you all good?
- 수빈 Su-bin응, 괜찮아. 신경 쓰지 마.eung, gwaenchana. singyeong sseuji ma.Yeah, I'm all good. Don't worry about it.
- 지훈 Ji-hun다행이다. 정말 미안해.dahaeng-ida. jeongmal mianhae.That's a relief. I'm really sorry.
- 수빈 Su-bin아니야, 진짜 괜찮아.aniya, jinja gwaenchana.No, it's really all good.
