Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 알겠어요 | algesseoyo | formal |
| 알겠습니다 | algetseumnida | formal |
| 알았어요 | arasseoyo | |
| 알았어 | arasseo | informal |
The primary way to say ok is used for acknowledgement or acceptance. If you are referring to an endorsement or approval, you can use 오케이 or 괜찮아. In computing, when you need to click an 'OK' button or confirm an action, the word 확인 is used.
Which one should you use?
The forms used for acknowledgement differ in their level of formality and nuance. 알겠습니다 is more formal and professional than 알겠어요, often used in business or military contexts to show strict obedience. 알았어 is the casual form used with friends or people younger than you. Note that if you want to say 'it is okay/fine' (as in 'no problem'), you should use 괜찮아 instead of the 알다 forms.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
알겠습니다 and 알겠어요 are formal. 알았어 is informal. For a more formal way to say ok, you can use 괜찮습니다 and its informal equivalent is 괜찮아. You may also use the polite form 좋습니다 to convey that something is ok or fine. Additionally, 되겠습니다 can be used to mean ok in the sense of agreeing or confirming that something will be done.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
algesseoyo
When do people say it?
To signify ok, Koreans commonly use a hand gesture of making a circle with the thumb and index finger and extending the other three fingers.
Did you know?
- While English speakers use 'OK' to mean 'everything is fine', saying 알았어 in Korean can sometimes sound dismissive or even rude if used with a superior, as it implies 'I already knew that'.
- The root verb 알다 means 'to know'. When you say 알겠어요 to mean 'ok', you are literally telling the other person 'I will know' or 'I understand'.
- While 알았어 is the standard casual 'ok', saying it with a rising intonation can turn the phrase into a question meaning 'Did you get that?' or 'Do you understand?'
Examples in context
- 더 이상 거짓말 하지마, 알았어?Don't lie anymore, OK?This sentence is useful for telling someone not to lie and asking for an acknowledgement using 알았어.Tatoeba #5254841 by rainbow4us, translation #2270475 by CK
- 알았어?OK?Tatoeba #13174616 by atitarev, translation #13174620 by atitarev
- 알겠습니다.OK.This sentence is useful for providing a formal acknowledgement using 알겠습니다.Tatoeba #13118988 by atitarev, translation #2611318 by Eldad
- 식사가 괜찮습니다.The meal is okay.
- 좋습니다. 제안에 동의합니다.Ok, I agree with the suggestion.
- 내일 시간이 있으면 만나겠습니다.If I have time tomorrow, I will meet you.
- 오늘 약속 어때? – 괜찮아.How about our appointment today? – It's okay.
- 내일 같이 영화 볼래? – 알았어.Do you want to watch a movie tomorrow? – Okay, got it.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Jieun are discussing a schedule at work.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo지은 씨, 이번 주 금요일까지 보고서 제출해 주세요.Ji-eun ssi, i-beon ju geum-yo-il-kka-ji bo-go-seo je-chul-hae ju-se-yo.Jieun, please submit the report by this Friday.
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 현우 씨, 알겠어요.ne, Hyeon-u ssi, al-get-eo-yo.Yes, Hyunwoo, I understand.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo늦지 않게 꼭 부탁해요.neut-ji an-ge kkok bu-tak-hae-yo.Please make sure it is not late.
- 지은 Ji-eun걱정 마세요, 알겠습니다.geok-jeong ma-se-yo, al-get-seum-ni-da.Don't worry, I will do it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ok” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
