괜찮아요
gwaenchanayo
In Korean, "my pleasure" can be expressed as 괜찮아요 (gwaenchanayo). Wiktionary also lists 별거 아니에요 (byeolgeo anieyo).
Meaning: a polite reaction to receiving thanks (intj)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 괜찮아요 | gwaenchanayo |
| 별거 아니에요 | byeolgeo anieyo |
These expressions are used as polite reactions to receiving thanks. While 괜찮아요 is a general way to say "it's okay" or "don't worry about it," the phrase 별거 아니에요 is a very natural and humble way to respond when you want to suggest that the favor you performed was easy or insignificant.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 별거 아니에요 literally means "it is nothing special" or "it's no big deal."
Which one should you use?
괜찮아요 is a more general expression meaning "it is okay," whereas 별거 아니에요 specifically downplays the effort you made to help someone.
How do you pronounce it?
gwaenchanayo
Did you know?
- In very formal settings, such as the military or a corporate hierarchy, these phrases may be replaced by 천만에요, though this is rarely heard in daily conversation today. Most modern speakers find 천만에요 to sound like a phrase from a textbook or an old movie.
- The word 별 in 별거 아니에요 refers to something 'special' or 'distinct'. It is the same '별' used in words related to 'stars' or 'extraordinary', making the literal sense of the phrase 'it is no extraordinary thing'.
- Korean has various levels of politeness, and while 괜찮아요 is polite, you would use 괜찮아 without the 요 ending when speaking to a close friend or someone younger. Using the polite form with a very close friend can actually create an unexpected emotional distance.
Examples in context
- 제 영광입니다.It is my honor.
- 천만에요.You're welcome.
- 아니에요.No problem.
- 별말씀을요, 괜찮아요.byeolmalsseumeulyo, gwaenchanayo.Don't mention it, it's my pleasure.
Example conversation
Ji-hoon helps Ji-eun carry a heavy box.
- 지훈 Ji-hun여기 두시면 돼요.yeogi dusimyeon dwaeyo.You can put it here.
- 지은 Ji-eun도와주셔서 정말 감사합니다, 지훈 씨.dowajusyeoseo jeongmal gamsahamnida, Jihun ssi.Thank you so much for your help, Ji-hoon.
- 지훈 Ji-hun아니에요, 괜찮아요.anieyo, gwaenchannayo.No, it's my pleasure.
- 지은 Ji-eun다음에 제가 보답할게요.daeume jega bodaphalgeyo.I'll make it up to you next time.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “my pleasure” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
