괜찮아요?
gwaenchanayo?
In Korean, "is it okay?" is expressed as 괜찮아요? (gwaenchanayo?)
This phrase is used to ask if someone is alright or if a situation is acceptable. Depending on the context, 괜찮아요? can mean both "Are you alright?" (checking on a person) and "Is this acceptable?" (checking on a situation).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The informal way to say "Is it okay?" is 괜찮아?, which is used with friends, people younger than you or those you are close to. The form 괜찮습니까? is used in very formal settings, such as in the military, news broadcasts or when speaking to someone of much higher status. The formal way to say "Is it okay?" is 괜찮으십니까?
How does it change in a sentence?
To change the question 괜찮아요? into a statement, simply drop the rising intonation at the end.
How do you pronounce it?
gwaenchanayo?
When do people say it?
A common way to respond positively to this question is 네, 괜찮아요.
Did you know?
- The root word 괜찮다 is believed to have evolved from a phrase meaning 'to be regardless' or 'to not matter', reflecting a cultural value of flexibility.
- In a gesture of modesty, Koreans often respond 괜찮아요 even when they actually need help or are slightly uncomfortable, to avoid burdening the other person.
- Using the ultra-formal 괜찮으십니까? in a casual setting, such as a restaurant with friends, can actually be used as a joke to create a humorous, overly polite atmosphere.
Examples in context
- 지민: 오늘 점심에 라면 먹어도 괜찮아? 윤아: 어, 괜찮아. 그럼 같이 먹자!Jimin: Is it okay to have ramyeon for lunch today? Yuna: Yeah, sure. Let's eat together then!
- 지금 전화해도 괜찮아요?jigeum jeonhwahaedo gwaenchanayo?Is it okay to call now?
- 이 자리에 앉아도 괜찮아요?i jarie anjado gwaenchanayo?Is it okay to sit in this seat?
- 내일 만나는 거 괜찮아요?naeil mannaneun geo gwaenchanayo?Is it okay if we meet tomorrow?
Example conversation
Ji-eun is asking Ji-hoon if his injury is alright after a fall.
- 지은 Ji-eun지훈 씨, 다친 데 괜찮아요?Ji-hun ssi, dacin de gwaenchanayo?Ji-hoon, is your injury okay?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 괜찮아요. 걱정해 주셔서 감사합니다.ne, gwaenchanayo. geokjeonghae jusyeoseo gamsahamnida.Yes, I'm alright. Thank you for worrying about me.
- 지은 Ji-eun정말 다행이네요.jeongmal dahaengineyo.I am so relieved.
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 정말 괜찮아요.ne, jeongmal gwaenchanayo.Yes, I'm really okay.
