How to Say "Thank You and Sorry" in Korean

고맙고 미안해

gomapgo mianhae

The English phrase "thank you and sorry" is expressed in Korean as 고맙고 미안해 (gomapgo mianhae).

This phrase is used to express both gratitude and an apology to someone at the same time.

What does it mean word for word?

The first part, 고맙고, consists of the adjective 고맙다 (to be thankful) and the connective particle -고 (and).

Using 고맙다 (to be thankful) instead of 감사하다 (to be grateful) makes the phrase feel more personal and warm in an informal setting.

죄송합니다 is a formal way to say sorry and 미안해 is an informal way to say sorry.

To make the phrase polite for use with elders or strangers, change the ending to 고맙고 미안합니다 or 고맙고 미안해요.

gomapgo mianhae

The word 미안하다 (to be sorry) literally contains the characters for 'not' and 'easy', suggesting that a situation is 'not easy' or 'not comfortable' to face.
In Korea, it is common to use 미안해 (sorry) when receiving a favor because the speaker feels bad for causing the other person trouble, even if the help was given willingly.
Korean has a unique concept called 정 (jeong), a deep emotional bond that makes the informal 고맙고 미안해 feel more like an expression of intimacy than a simple transaction of thanks and apology.

I want to say 감사합니다 for the delicious meal.
I want to say thank you for the delicious meal.
Hey, I just wanted to say 고마워 for the lift.
Hey, I just wanted to say thank you for the lift.
도와줘서 고맙고 미안해.
dowajwoseo gomapgo mianhae.
Thank you for helping me, and I'm sorry.
선물은 고맙고 미안해.
seonmureun gomapgo mianhae.
I'm thankful for the gift, but also sorry.

Minjun arrives late to a meeting with Subin.

민준 Min-jun

기다리게 해서 고맙고 미안해.
gidarige haeseo gomapgo mianhae.
Thank you for waiting, and I'm sorry.
수빈 Su-bin

괜찮아, 민준아.
gwaenchana, Minjun-a.
It's okay, Minjun.
민준 Min-jun

정말 고맙고 미안해.
jeongmal gomapgo mianhae.
I'm really thankful and sorry.
수빈 Su-bin

이제 괜찮으니까 걱정 마.
ije gwaenchanheunikka geokjeong ma.
It's fine now, so don't worry.

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