Welcome to this comprehensive guide on how to say “okay” in the Korean language. Whether you’re planning to travel to Korea, have Korean friends, or simply want to immerse yourself in the language, knowing how to express agreement or acceptance is essential. In this guide, we’ll cover both formal and informal ways to say “okay” in Korean, providing you with plenty of tips, examples, and regional variations.
Table of Contents
1. Formal Ways to Say “Okay” in Korean
When speaking in a formal context, it is important to use respectful language. Here are three common ways to say “okay” formally:
A. 괜찮습니다 (gwaenchanseumnida)
One of the most commonly used phrases for “okay” in formal settings is “괜찮습니다” (gwaenchanseumnida). This phrase is polite and widely understood across Korea.
Example: A: 저녁에 만날까요? (Would you like to meet for dinner?)
B: 네, 괜찮습니다. (Yes, that’s okay.)
B. 좋습니다 (jotseumnida)
Another formal way to express agreement or acceptance is by using “좋습니다” (jotseumnida). This phrase is commonly used in professional or official environments.
Example: A: 이 계획을 실행합시다. (Let’s execute this plan.)
B: 좋습니다. (Okay, that sounds good.)
C. 알겠습니다 (algetseumnida)
A more formal way to say “okay” is by using the phrase “알겠습니다” (algetseumnida), which translates to “I understand.” This phrase can be used to acknowledge information or instructions.
Example: A: 이번 주 중에 제출해주세요. (Please submit it within this week.)
B: 알겠습니다. (Okay, I understand.)
2. Informal Ways to Say “Okay” in Korean
When speaking in an informal context, with close friends, family members, or peers, you can use more casual expressions to say “okay.” Here are three common informal ways:
A. 괜찮아 (gwaenchan-a)
“괜찮아” (gwaenchan-a) is the casual way to say “okay” in Korean. It is commonly used among friends and peers, and it maintains a friendly and down-to-earth tone.
Example: A: 오늘 영화 보러 갈까? (Shall we go watch a movie today?)
B: 응, 괜찮아. (Yeah, okay.)
B. 좋아 (joa)
“좋아” (joa) is a casual expression that can be used to mean “okay” or “good.” It is frequently used among friends and siblings.
Example: A: 내일 같이 공원에 가자. (Let’s go to the park together tomorrow.)
B: 좋아, 그래. (Okay, sure.)
C. 알았어 (arasseo)
An informal way to say “okay” is by using the expression “알았어” (arasseo), which translates to “got it” or “I understand.” This phrase is commonly used among friends and peers.
Example: A: 내일 시간 변경됐어. (The schedule changed for tomorrow.)
B: 알았어, 고마워. (Got it, thanks.)
3. Regional Variations
Generally, the formal and informal expressions explained above are widely understood and used throughout Korea. However, it’s worth noting that certain regions may have their own regional variations or local dialects. Here are a couple of examples:
A. In Busan (부산)
In Busan, a city in the southeastern part of Korea, the phrase “괜찮아요” (gwaenchanayo) is commonly used instead of “괜찮습니다” (gwaenchanseumnida) to say “okay” formally.
B. In Jeju Island (제주도)
On Jeju Island, the largest island in Korea, people often say “감사해요” (gamsahaeyo), which means “thank you,” to convey agreement or acceptance.
Conclusion
By now, you should have a good understanding of how to say “okay” in Korean, both formally and informally. Remember to use the appropriate expression based on the context and level of formality. Whether it’s “괜찮습니다” (gwaenchanseumnida) for formal situations or “괜찮아” (gwaenchan-a) among friends, practicing these phrases will help you communicate effectively and build connections with Koreans. Keep in mind that while the expressions covered in this guide are widely used, certain regions may have their own variations, so don’t be surprised if you encounter different ways of saying “okay” during your journey of learning the Korean language.
