알았어
arasseo
In Korean, 알았어 (arasseo) (araso) is an informal way to say that you understand or agree with what someone has said.
알았어 is frequently used as a standalone response to acknowledge an instruction or a piece of information, similar to saying "Okay" or "Got it" in English.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, it translates to "I knew" or "I understood".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a formal way to indicate understanding or agreement, you may use 예 (ye), which is similar to the English word "yes". In casual settings, you can also use 응 (eung) to mean "yes" or "I see".
How do you pronounce it?
arasseo
Did you know?
- While 알았어 means 'I understand', it is rarely used to mean 'I understand your feelings' in an empathetic way, for which Koreans use 이해해.
- Using 알았어 (araso) to a person older than you or someone in a higher social position is considered extremely rude and can even be seen as a confrontation.
- The verb root 알다 (alda) used in 알았어 is the same root used in the word for 'to be famous', which is 알려지다 (allyeojida).
Examples in context
- 알았어, 지금 갈게.arasseo, jigeum galge.Okay, I'll go now.
Example conversation
Minji is telling Dohyun to clean his room.
- 민지 Min-ji도현아, 방 좀 치워.Dohyeon-a, bang jom chiwo.Dohyun, clean your room.
- 도현 Do-hyeon알았어, 민지야.arasseo, Minji-ya.Okay, Minji.
- 민지 Min-ji빨리 해 줘.ppalli hae jwo.Do it quickly.
- 도현 Do-hyeon응, 알았어.eung, arasseo.Yeah, okay.
