그래 알았어
geurae arasseo
The English phrase 'ok fine' is expressed in Korean as 그래 알았어 (geurae arasseo).
This phrase is used to show that you agree with or accept something that has been said. Depending on the intonation, this phrase can express reluctant acceptance (like 'fine, whatever') rather than enthusiastic agreement.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 그래 (yes/that's right) and 알았어 (understood/got it).
Which one should you use?
In casual conversation, the 그래 is often dropped and people simply say 알았어 to mean 'ok' or 'got it'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
그래 알았어 is informal and should only be used with friends or people younger than you. 알겠습니다 is a polite way to say 'Ok fine' meaning 'I understand' or 'I got it'. 좋습니다 is a formal way to say 'Ok fine' meaning 'That's good' or 'That's fine'.
How do you pronounce it?
geurae arasseo
Did you know?
- In Korean, the verb for 'to know' or 'to understand' in 알았어 is used in the past tense even when the understanding is happening right now. This implies the process of understanding has already been completed.
- In Korean offices, the formal 알겠습니다 is often used as a reflexive survival tool. Employees may say it as a default response to any instruction to show acknowledgement, even if they secretly disagree with the order.
- The word 그래 is often used by superiors to 'grant' permission to subordinates, making it function more like 'I allow it' than a mutual agreement.
Examples in context
- 대회에 참가할 수 있도록 도와주셔서 감사합니다. 알겠습니다.Thank you for helping me participate in the competition. Ok, I understand.
- 이 계획에 대해 생각해 보았는데, 좋습니다.I have thought about this plan, and it's good.
- 내일 학교에 늦을 것 같은데, 알았어?I might be late for school tomorrow, okay?
- 오늘은 영화를 볼까요? 그래, 좋아요.Shall we watch a movie today? Sure, sounds good.
- 그래 알았어.geurae arasseo.Ok fine.
- 그래 알았어, 그렇게 하자.geurae arasseo, geureoke haja.Ok fine, let's do that.
- 그래 알았어, 나중에 봐.geurae arasseo, najunge bwa.Ok fine, see you later.
Example conversation
Dohyun and Minji are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- 도현 Do-hyeon오늘은 그냥 치킨 먹자.oneureun geunyang chikin meokja.Let's just eat chicken today.
- 민지 Min-ji나 어제도 치킨 먹었는데.na eoje-do chikin meogeonneunde.I ate chicken yesterday too.
- 도현 Do-hyeon그럼 네가 원하는 거 먹자.geureom nega wonhaneun geo meokja.Then let's eat what you want.
- 민지 Min-ji그래 알았어. 그럼 피자 먹자.geurae arasseo. geureom pija meokja.Ok fine. Then let's eat pizza.
