What does it mean word for word?
The part 맞아요 is the polite form of the verb 맞다, which means "to be correct" or "to be right".
Which one should you use?
While 네, 맞아요 emphasizes that a specific fact or statement is correct, 네, 그래요 is a more general way to say "yes, that's so" or "yes, that is the case".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 네, 맞아요 is suitable for everyday polite conversation with strangers or acquaintances. For highly formal settings, such as business presentations, news broadcasts or when speaking to someone of much higher social standing, use 예, 맞습니다 or 네, 그렇습니다. If you are speaking to friends, younger people or those of equal or lower social status, use the informal version 응, 맞아.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase 맞아요 ends in the polite -아요 suffix, making it suitable for everyday polite conversation with strangers or acquaintances.
How do you pronounce it?
ne, maj-ayo
Did you know?
- The verb 맞다 also means 'to be hit' or 'to be struck', creating a homonym that is distinguished entirely by context.
- In Korean, it is common to repeat 맞아요 several times in a row during a conversation to show active listening and strong agreement.
- The root verb in 맞아요, 맞다, originally meant 'to fit' or 'to match', as if two puzzle pieces align perfectly.
Examples in context
- 네, 맞아요.ne, majayo.Yes, that is correct.
Example conversation
Dohyun and Minji are confirming the location of a restaurant.
- 도현 Do-hyeon여기가 그 식당인가요?yeogiga geu sikdang-ingayo?Is this the restaurant?
- 민지 Min-ji네, 맞아요. 도현 씨.ne, majayo. Dohyun ssi.Yes, it is, Dohyun.
- 도현 Do-hyeon생각보다 훨씬 크네요.saenggak-boda hwolssin keuneyo.It's much bigger than I thought.
- 민지 Min-ji정말 그래요.jeongmal geuraeyo.It really is.
