누군가에게 감사하다
nugungaege gamsahada
To say thank you to someone in Korean, use 누군가에게 감사하다 (nugungaege gamsahada).
This phrase is used to express gratitude to a specific person for something they have done.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 누군가 (someone), the particle 에게 (to/towards) and the verb 감사하다 (to be thankful/grateful).
Which one should you use?
While the dictionary form is 누군가에게 감사하다, speakers use different versions depending on the level of formality. For a more formal or written tone, you can expand the phrase to 누군가에게 감사를 표하다, which means to express or show gratitude to someone.
How does it change in a sentence?
In polite or formal speech, the dictionary form 감사하다 is changed to 감사합니다 to express gratitude to someone. For casual or intimate settings, the verb 고맙다 is a common synonym for 감사하다.
How do you pronounce it?
nugungaege gamsahada
Did you know?
- When someone does a favor for a close friend, a Korean speaker might say 미안해 ('I am sorry') instead of a phrase for 'thank you' to acknowledge the trouble caused.
- In very close relationships, Koreans may avoid saying 'thank you' too often, as it can create a formal distance that suggests the other person is a stranger.
- The word 감사 can mean either 'gratitude' or 'audit' depending on the Chinese characters used, meaning 감사하다 can describe both thanking someone and inspecting financial records.
Example conversation
Minjun and Jieun are talking about a helpful colleague.
- 민준 Min-jun지은 씨, 그 동료분께 감사하다는 인사 했어요?jieun ssi, geu dongryobunkke gamsahadaneun insa haesseoyo?Jieun, did you say thank you to that colleague?
- 지은 Ji-eun아니요, 아직 못 했어요.aniyo, ajik mot haesseoyo.No, I haven't done it yet.
- 민준 Min-jun지금이라도 누군가에게 감사하다는 마음을 전하는 게 좋겠어요.jigeumirado nugungaege gamsahadaneun maeumeul jeonhaneun ge jokkesseoyo.It would be good to express your gratitude to someone even now.
- 지은 Ji-eun맞아요. 바로 메시지 보낼게요.majayo. baro mesiji bonaelgeyo.You're right. I'll send a message right away.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 감사하다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
