알겠습니다
The English phrase "okay (formal)" is expressed in Korean as 알겠습니다.
알겠습니다 is used to show that you understand or have accepted a piece of information or a request. It is most commonly used in professional environments, such as when a subordinate acknowledges an order from a superior or when a customer acknowledges information provided by a staff member.
Which one should you use?
While 알겠습니다 is used to show formal acceptance or understanding of an instruction, 알았어요 is a more casual or polite version used with people of similar or lower status.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the formal polite ending -습니다, which makes it suitable for use in highly formal social contexts, the military or business settings.
Did you know?
- Despite the meaning of 'okay', 알겠습니다 cannot be used to agree to a suggestion like 'Shall we go to the movies?' because it is specifically for acknowledging information or orders.
- In Korean corporate culture, employees often use 알겠습니다 even if they disagree with the order, as the phrase signals acceptance of the hierarchy rather than agreement with the idea.
- The verb root 알다 means 'to know', so 알겠습니다 literally says that you have taken the information in.
Examples in context
- 알겠습니다.algetseumnida.I understand.
- 다 알겠습니다.da algetseumnida.I understand everything.
Example conversation
In an office, a supervisor gives instructions to an employee.
- 서연 Seo-yeon이 서류를 내일까지 준비해 주세요.i seoryureul naeilkkaji junbihae juseyo.Please prepare this document by tomorrow.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 알겠습니다.ne, algetseumnida.Yes, okay.
- 서연 Seo-yeon현우 씨, 부탁해요.hyeonu ssi, butakhaeyo.Hyunwoo, I'm counting on you.
