고맙다
gomapda[ˈko̞(ː)ma̠p̚t͈a̠]
The English phrase "thankful" can be expressed in Korean using 고맙다 (gomapda) or 감사하다.
Meaning: showing thanks (adj)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 고맙다 | gomapda | [ˈko̞(ː)ma̠p̚t͈a̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 감사하다 | gamsahada | [ˈka̠(ː)msʰa̠ɦa̠da̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
Both terms are used to describe the state of being thankful or to express gratitude.
Which one should you use?
감사하다 is more formal and polite than 고맙다. While 고맙다 is more casual and is used in everyday conversation with friends or people of lower status, 감사하다 carries a higher level of formality.
How does it change in a sentence?
The polite form of 고맙다 is 고마워요. The formal polite form of 감사하다 is 감사합니다.
How do you pronounce it?
gomapda
Did you know?
- In traditional Korean culture, saying 'thank you' too often to a close family member or a very close friend can sometimes feel cold or create a sense of distance.
- In some contexts, a person might respond to a 'thank you' not with 'you are welcome', but by saying 아니에요, which means 'no it is not'.
- The word 고맙다 originally meant 'to be worthy of respect' or 'to be admirable' rather than simply 'to be thankful'.
Examples in context
- 프로젝트를 완료하는 데 도움을 주셔서 감사합니다.Thank you for helping me complete the project.
- 선물 정말 고마워.I'm really grateful for the gift.
- 도와줘서 정말 고맙다.dowajwoseo jeongmal gomapda.I am really thankful that you helped me.
- 네가 옆에 있어서 고맙다.nega yeope isseoseo gomapda.I am thankful to have you by my side.
Example conversation
Jihoon returns a borrowed book to Minji.
- 지훈 Ji-hun여기 책 있어. 빌려줘서 고맙다.yeogi chaek isseo. billyeojwoseo gomapda.Here is the book. I'm thankful you lent it to me.
- 민지 Min-ji아니야, 별거 아니야.aniya, byeolgeo aniya.No, it was nothing.
- 지훈 Ji-hun덕분에 공부 잘 했어.deokbune gongbu jal haesseo.I studied well thanks to you.
- 민지 Min-ji다행이다. 도움이 됐다니 기뻐.dahaeng-ida. doumi dwaetdani gippeo.That's a relief. I'm glad it helped.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thankful” translations and entries 고맙다, 감사하다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 감사하다, 고맙다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
