Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 알겠어요 | algesseoyo | formal |
| 알겠습니다 | algetseumnida | formal |
| 알았어요 | arasseoyo | |
| 알았어 | arasseo | informal |
These forms are used to acknowledge or accept information. While these verbal forms deal with understanding, if you are looking for a way to say 'ok' as an endorsement or approval, you might use 오케이 or 괜찮아. In a computing context, such as clicking an 'OK' button to confirm a command, the term 확인 is used instead of these verbal forms.
What does it mean word for word?
The different forms of this phrase are derived from the verb 알다, which means 'to know'.
Which one should you use?
The form 알겠습니다 is more formal and certain than 알겠어요, often used in professional or military settings to signal complete understanding of an instruction. In contrast, 알았어 is the casual, non-honorific form used with friends or people younger than you, whereas the other forms use honorific endings.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
알겠습니다 and 알겠어요 are formal. 알았어 is informal. For the most basic and commonly used informal way to say "ok," you can use 응.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 알겠어요 uses the future/prospective suffix –겠-, which in this context implies a willingness or intention to comply with what was just said.
How do you pronounce it?
algesseoyo
Did you know?
- While 알았어 is a standard 'ok', saying it with a rising intonation can turn it into a sharp 'Do you understand?' used by parents or superiors to scold a child.
- If you use the casual 알았어 with someone of a higher social status, it is not just informal but can be perceived as a sign of rebellion or rudeness.
- While 알았어 is a standard way to say 'ok' among friends, it can sometimes sound blunt or even dismissive depending on your tone, almost like saying 'fine' in English.
Examples in context
- 더 이상 거짓말 하지마, 알았어?Don't lie anymore, OK?This example shows how to use 알았어 when asking for agreement at the end of a sentence.Tatoeba #5254841 by rainbow4us, translation #2270475 by CK
- 알았어?OK?This example shows the use of 알았어 as a question.Tatoeba #13174616 by atitarev, translation #13174620 by atitarev
- 알겠습니다.OK.This example demonstrates the formal way to say 'ok' using 알겠습니다.Tatoeba #13118988 by atitarev, translation #2611318 by Eldad
Example conversation
Seoyeon gives Jihoon directions to the office.
- 서연 Seo-yeon이쪽 길로 쭉 가세요.I-jjok gil-lo jjuk ga-se-yo.Please go straight down this road.
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 알겠어요.Ne, al-get-eo-yo.Yes, I understand.
- 서연 Seo-yeon사거리에서 오른쪽으로 꺾으세요.Sa-geo-ri-e-seo o-reun-jjok-eu-ro kkeok-eu-se-yo.Turn right at the intersection.
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 알겠어요. 감사합니다.Ne, al-get-eo-yo. Gam-sa-ham-ni-da.Okay, I got it. Thank you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ok” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
