Which one should you use?
While the word 알아요 means 'I know' and refers to a continuous state of possessing knowledge, 알겠어요 is used to indicate that you have just understood something or are accepting new instructions.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
There are several ways to express this depending on the social setting. In highly formal or professional settings, such as business meetings, when responding to a boss or when speaking to a customer, use 알겠습니다. For casual situations, you can use 알았어 or 알겠어 when speaking with friends or people younger than you.
How does it change in a sentence?
In a professional context, the formal version 알겠습니다 often functions as an acknowledgment that you have received an order and will carry it out, effectively meaning 'I understood' or 'I will do so'.
How do you pronounce it?
algesseoyo
Did you know?
- When texting or using instant messaging, Koreans often shorten these phrases to even more informal versions like ㅇㅇ (the consonant for 'yes') to convey a quick 'got it' among close friends. However, using this with a superior would be a major social error.
- In romantic relationships, the casual 알았어 is often lengthened to 알았어어어 to sound softer or more affectionate, avoiding the bluntness of a standard 'I got it'.
- While 알겠어요 means 'I got it', adding a questioning intonation transforms it into 'Do you understand?', making the same phrase a question depending on the pitch.
Examples in context
- 설명 감사합니다, 알겠습니다Thank you for the explanation, I got it.
- 무슨 말인지 알겠어요.museun marinji algesseoyo.I understand what you mean.
- 이제 다 알겠어요.ije da algesseoyo.I understand everything now.
Example conversation
Minji is explaining a task to Dohyun at work.
- 도현 Do-hyeon이 서류를 내일까지 제출하세요.i seoryureul naeilkkaji jechulhaseyo.Please submit this document by tomorrow.
- 민지 Min-ji네, 알겠어요.ne, algesseoyo.Yes, I got it.
- 도현 Do-hyeon잊지 말고 꼭 보내주세요.itji malgo kkok bonaejuseyo.Please make sure not to forget it.
- 민지 Min-ji네, 알겠습니다.ne, algetseumnida.Yes, I understand.
