감사합니다
gamsahamnida[ˈka̠(ː)msʰa̠ɦa̠mnida̠]
To say "thank you to elders" in Korean, use 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida).
The phrase is a polite way to show gratitude to people older than the speaker. While 감사합니다 is the standard and most common way to express thanks to an elder in formal settings, you can increase the intensity of your gratitude using other variations.
Which one should you use?
감사합니다 is more formal and carries a higher level of respect than the phrase 고마워요, which makes 감사합니다 more appropriate for elders or professional settings. For even deeper expressions of gratitude, you can use 대단히 감사합니다 to show deep appreciation or 정말 감사드립니다 to emphasize your sincerity.
How do you pronounce it?
gamsahamnida
Did you know?
- If you are expressing thanks to someone of much higher social status, such as a teacher or a CEO, you might switch the verb to 감사드립니다. The verb 드리다 is the humble version of 'to give', effectively meaning 'I humbly offer my thanks'.
- While you use 감사합니다 to speak, a physical bow is almost always expected to accompany the words. The depth of your bow often communicates the level of respect you feel for the elder.
- The word 감사 is a Sino-Korean word, meaning it was originally constructed using Chinese characters. This is why it sounds more formal and weightier than native Korean words for 'thanks'.
Examples in context
- 도와주셔서 감사합니다.dowajusyeoseo gamsahapnida.Thank you for helping me.
- 정말 감사합니다.jeongmal gamsahapnida.Thank you very much.
- 선물을 주셔서 감사합니다.seonmul-eul jusyeoseo gamsahapnida.Thank you for giving me the gift.
Example conversation
Seoyeon receives a piece of fruit from an older family friend, Dohyun.
- 서연 Seo-yeon도현 아저씨, 감사합니다.Dohyun ajeossi, gamsahamnida.Uncle Dohyun, thank you.
- 도현 Do-hyeon맛있게 먹으렴.masitge meogeuryeom.Enjoy eating it.
- 서연 Seo-yeon잘 먹겠습니다!jal meokgetseumnida!I will enjoy it!
- 도현 Do-hyeon그래, 천천히 먹어.geurae, cheoncheonhi meogeo.Okay, take your time.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 감사합니다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 감사합니다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
