아니요, 괜찮아요
aniyo, gwaenchanayo
아니요, 괜찮아요 (aniyo, gwaenchanayo) is the Korean way to say "no, it's okay".
This phrase is a polite way to decline an offer, such as an offer of food, help or an item.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 아니요 (no) and 괜찮아요 (it is okay/fine).
Which one should you use?
While 아니요, 괜찮아요 is a standard polite way to decline, you can use 아니요, 괜찮습니다 for a highly formal version or 괜찮아 for a casual refusal.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The level of politeness changes based on the endings used. The highly formal version is 아니요, 괜찮습니다. The standard polite version is 아니요, 괜찮아요. The casual or informal version is 아니, 괜찮아, which uses 아니 instead of 아니요 and drops the polite ending to become 괜찮아.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is built from the verb 괜찮다 (to be okay), which is conjugated with the polite ending -아요 to form 괜찮아요.
How do you pronounce it?
aniyo, gwaenchanayo
Did you know?
- If you are refusing something but want to show you are truly grateful, it is common to add 마음만 받을게요, which means 'I will only accept your kind heart'.
- In some social contexts, saying 괜찮아요 once is seen as a polite formality, and the offer may be repeated several times before the refusal is accepted as final.
- While 아니요 translates to 'no', in many contexts, Koreans prefer to use 됐어요 (it is done/finished) as a more definitive way to say 'no, thank you'.
Examples in context
- 아니요, 괜찮습니다.No, it's okay.
- 괜찮아, 다른 일이 있어서 못 갈 거 같아.No, it's okay. I think I have other plans.
- 아니요, 괜찮아요. 배불러요.aniyo, gwaenchanayo. baebulleoyo.No, it's okay. I'm full.
- 아니요, 괜찮아요. 혼자 갈 수 있어요.aniyo, gwaenchanayo. honja gal su isseoyo.No, it's okay. I can go alone.
- 아니요, 괜찮아요. 마음만 받을게요.aniyo, gwaenchanayo. maeumman badeulgeyo.No, it's okay. I appreciate the thought.
Example conversation
Jihoon offers to carry Seoyeon's heavy bag.
- 서연 Seo-yeon짐이 정말 많네요. 도와드릴까요?jimi jeongmal manneyo. dowadeurilkkayo?You have so much luggage. Shall I help you?
- 지훈 Ji-hun아니요, 괜찮아요. 거의 다 왔어요.aniyo, gwaenchanayo. geoui da wasseoyo.No, it's okay. I'm almost there.
- 서연 Seo-yeon정말요? 무거워 보여요.jeongmallyo? mugeoweo boyeoyo.Really? It looks heavy.
- 지훈 Ji-hun고맙지만 괜찮아요, 지훈 씨.gomapjiman gwaenchanayo, jihun ssi.Thanks, but it's okay, Jihoon.
