도와줘서 고마워
dowajwoseo gomawo
The English phrase "thank you for helping me" is translated into Korean as 도와줘서 고마워 (dowajwoseo gomawo).
도와줘서 고마워 is a phrase used to express gratitude to someone who has provided assistance. It specifically acknowledges the act of helping.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 도와줘서 (dowajwoseo), meaning "because [you] helped," and 고마워 (gomawo), meaning "thank you."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 도와줘서 고마워 is informal and should only be used with friends or people younger than you. For a polite version suitable for acquaintances or people you are not close to, you can use 도와줘서 고마워요. In professional settings or when speaking toward elders, the formal way to say "thank you for helping me" is 도와주셔서 감사합니다. 고맙습니다 is a common and versatile way to say thank you in formal situations.
How do you pronounce it?
dowajwoseo gomawo
Did you know?
- The root of 고마워, 고맙다, is thought by some linguists to be related to old words for 'god' or 'spirit', implying an ancestral sense of awe or deep gratitude.
- In Korea, you might be offered a polite refusal of your thanks. People often reply to 고마워 with 아니야, which means 'no' and suggests that the help was no trouble at all.
- In many Korean social situations, saying 고마워 to someone slightly older or of higher status can be seen as a serious social blunder, even if you add a polite particle, because the root word itself carries a specific level of intimacy.
Examples in context
- 도와줘서 고마워, 친구야!Dowajwoseo gomawo, chin-gu-ya!
- 숙제 도와줘서 고마워.suk-je do-wa-jwo-seo go-ma-wo.Thank you for helping me with my homework.
- 짐 옮기는 거 도와줘서 고마워.jim om-gi-neun geo do-wa-jwo-seo go-ma-wo.Thank you for helping me move the luggage.
- 오늘 많이 도와줘서 고마워.o-neul ma-ni do-wa-jwo-seo go-ma-wo.Thank you so much for helping me today.
Example conversation
Two friends are cleaning up after a small party.
- 지훈 Ji-hun수빈아, 정리 도와줘서 고마워.su-bin-a, jeong-ri do-wa-jwo-seo go-ma-wo.Subin, thank you for helping me clean up.
- 수빈 Su-bin아니야, 지훈아. 별거 아니었어.a-ni-ya, ji-hun-a. byeol-geo a-ni-eot-eo.No problem, Jihun. It was nothing.
- 지훈 Ji-hun정말 큰 도움이 됐어.jeong-mal keun do-um-i dwaet-eo.It was a really big help.
- 수빈 Su-bin다음에도 필요하면 말해줘.da-eum-e-do pil-yo-ha-myeon mal-hae-jwo.Tell me if you need help next time too.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 고마워, CC BY-SA 4.0.
