What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is formed by combining the noun 감사 (gratitude or thanks) with the verb 하다 (to do) and the polite ending -해요.
Which one should you use?
While 감사해요 is a polite way to say thank you, 감사합니다 is the more formal and standard way to express gratitude in professional or respectful settings. If you want to use a phrase that feels slightly more personal and warm, you can use 고마워요. In very informal settings with close friends or people younger than you, you can use 고마워.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For more formal contexts, such as professional environments, use 감사합니다 or 고맙습니다. For informal situations with friends, use 감사해 or 고마워.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The informal form 감사해 is commonly used in Seoul.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase 감사해요 is constructed by combining the noun 감사 (gratitude) with the verb 하다 (to do) and the polite ending -해요.
How do you pronounce it?
gamsahaeyo
Did you know?
- The word 감사 can also be used as a noun to refer to a formal 'audit' or 'inspection' in a business context. The meaning changes entirely based on the context of the sentence.
- Korean has a concept called 'jeong' which describes a deep emotional bond. In contexts of high 'jeong', using the formal 감사합니다 can actually be seen as cold or rude because it suggests the people are strangers.
- If you are extremely grateful to someone of much higher status, you might use the even more formal 감사드립니다. This replaces the verb 'to do' with 'to give', literally 'I give you my gratitude'.
Examples in context
- 회의에 초대해 주셔서 고맙습니다.Thank you for inviting me to the meeting.
- 오늘 함께 있어줘서 고마워.Thank you for being with me today.
- 도와줘서 정말 감사해요.dowajwoseo jeongmal gamsahaeyo.I am truly thankful that you helped me.
- 선물을 주셔서 감사해요.seonmureul jusyeoseo gamsahaeyo.I am thankful that you gave me a gift.
- 항상 챙겨주셔서 감사해요.hangsang chaenggyeojusyeoseo gamsahaeyo.I am thankful that you always look after me.
Example conversation
Seoyeon gives Dohyeon a small gift to say thank you.
- 서연 Seo-yeon도현 씨, 이거 받으세요.Dohyeon ssi, igeo badeuseyo.Dohyeon, please accept this.
- 도현 Do-hyeon와, 정말 예쁘네요!Wa, jeongmal yeppeuneyo!Wow, it is really pretty!
- 서연 Seo-yeon그동안 도와줘서 감사해요.Geudongan dowajwoseo gamsahaeyo.I am thankful that you helped me during that time.
- 도현 Do-hyeon아니에요, 별 말씀을요.Anieyo, byeol malsseumeulyo.No, don't mention it.
