Which one should you use?
While 고마워요 focuses on being thankful for an action, other forms like 감사합니다 are used for higher levels of formality. If you wish to express deep appreciation, you can use 정말 고마워. or use the word 너무 to amplify your gratitude, as in 너무 고마워.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The level of formality depends on your relationship with the listener. 감사합니다 is a polite and formal way to say thank you, often used in professional settings or with strangers. 고맙습니다 is also a formal way to say thank you. 고마워요 is a polite way to express gratitude that is suitable for use with people you are acquainted with but are not close friends with. Finally, 고마워 is the casual, informal version used only with close friends or people younger than you.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express gratitude for something that happened in the past, use the past tense form 고마웠어요.
How do you pronounce it?
gomawoyo
Did you know?
- The word 고맙다, the root of 고마워요, was once used in ancient Korea to refer to gods or spirits, implying a sense of awe and gratitude.
- While 고마워요 expresses thanks, Koreans often express appreciation by mentioning the other person's hardship, using phrases like 'you must have struggled' 고생하셨어요.
- In Korean texting culture, instead of typing the full 고마워, people often use the much shorter 'ㄱㅅ' to represent the consonants of 'thanks'.
Examples in context
- 정말 고마워! 너무 의외였어. 내 생각까지 해줘서 감동이야.Thank you so much! It was really surprising. I'm touched that you even thought about me.
- 도와줘서 정말 고마워요.dowajwoseo jeongmal gomawoyo.I am really grateful that you helped me.
- 선물 고마워요.seonmul gomawoyo.Thank you for the gift.
- 생각해줘서 고마워요.saenggakhae-jwoseo gomawoyo.Thank you for thinking of me.
Example conversation
Subin thanks Jihun for bringing her a coffee.
- 수빈 Su-bin커피 가져다줘서 고마워요, 지훈 씨.keopi gajyeoda-jwoseo gomawoyo, Jihun ssi.Thank you for bringing me coffee, Jihun.
- 지훈 Ji-hun아니에요, 맛있게 드세요.anieyo, masitge deuseyo.You're welcome, please enjoy it.
- 수빈 Su-bin정말 고마워요.jeongmal gomawoyo.I really appreciate it.
- 지훈 Ji-hun별말씀을요.byeolmalsseumeulyo.Don't mention it.
