감사하다
gamsahada[ˈka̠(ː)msʰa̠ɦa̠da̠]
To appreciate in Korean is 감사하다 (gamsahada).
The verb is used to express being grateful for something.
Meaning: to be grateful for something (verb)
Which one should you use?
While 감사하다 is a formal term often used in written contexts or official settings, the related term 고맙다 is more common in spoken, everyday conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
The polite form 감사합니다 is used to say 'I am grateful' or 'Thank you' to elders, superiors or strangers. The informal form 고마워 is used for 'Thanks' when expressing gratitude to close friends or people younger than you.
How do you pronounce it?
gamsahada
Did you know?
- In some traditional contexts, Koreans may avoid saying 감사합니다 too frequently to close friends, as it can create an emotional distance that suggests the person is a stranger.
- The word 감사 appears in two different forms of Hanja, one meaning 'thankfulness' (感謝) and another meaning 'supervision' (監査).
- The concept of 'appreciation' in Korean culture is deeply tied to 'jeong' (정), a sense of deep connection and social bonding that goes beyond a simple 'thank you'.
Examples in context
- 이 선물을 주셔서 정말 감사합니다.Thank you so much for giving me this gift.
- 아니에요. 제가 도움 드릴 수 있어서 오히려 저도 감사합니다.No problem. I am actually the one who is thankful that I could help you.
Example conversation
Seoyeon returns a book to Dohyun.
- 서연 Seo-yeon책 빌려줘서 정말 감사하다.chaek billyeojwoseo jeongmal gamsahada.I really appreciate you lending me the book.
- 도현 Do-hyeon아니야, 별거 아니야.aniya, byeolgeo aniya.No problem, it was nothing.
- 서연 Seo-yeon덕분에 공부 많이 했어.deokbune gongbu mani haesseo.Thanks to you, I studied a lot.
- 도현 Do-hyeon도움이 됐다니 다행이다.doumi dwaetdani dahaengida.I'm glad it was helpful.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 감사하다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 감사하다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
