How to Say “Yes, Sir” in Korean

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예, 알겠습니다
ye, algesseumnida
The Korean phrase for "yes, sir" is 예, 알겠습니다 (ye, algesseumnida).
예, 알겠습니다 is a polite way to acknowledge an instruction or confirm that you understand a request from a superior. It is used specifically to acknowledge a command or instruction rather than simply answering a yes/no question.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase is composed of 예 (yes) and 알겠습니다 (I understand/I have understood).

Which one should you use?

While 예, 알겠습니다 is used for superiors, the informal version 알았어 (Got it / Okay) is used with friends or people younger than you.

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

This phrase uses the formal polite ending '-습니다', making it appropriate for use with superiors, teachers or in professional settings. Depending on the specific person of authority you are addressing, other formal variations are used: 예, 선생님 is used when addressing someone deserving respect such as a professor or supervisor and 네, 사장님 is used when addressing a person of higher rank like a CEO or company director.

How does it change in a sentence?

The verb 알다 (to know) is conjugated into the formal polite form 알겠습니다 to express a completed understanding of a command or information.

How do you pronounce it?

ye, algesseumnida

Did you know?

  • If you use the word 예 in a very formal context, it can actually be traced back to an ancient contraction of the word 여기, which means 'here'.
  • In a professional Korean setting, saying 알겠습니다 is often accompanied by a slight bow of the head to physically reinforce the social hierarchy.
  • The formal ending -습니다 used in this phrase is designed to create a social distance, signaling that the speaker is intentionally placing themselves in a lower position than the listener.

Examples in context

  • 예, 선생님. 이번 주말까지 숙제를 끝낼 겁니다
    Yes, sir. I will finish the homework by this weekend.
  • 예, 알겠습니다.
    ye, algetseumnida.
    Yes, I understand.
  • 예, 알겠습니다. 바로 할게요.
    ye, algetseumnida. baro halgeyo.
    Yes, understood. I will do it right away.

Example conversation

A manager gives a task to an employee in the office.

  1. 수빈 Su-bin

    민준 씨, 이 보고서를 오늘까지 제출하세요.
    Minjun ssi, i bogoseoreul oneulkaji jechulhaseyo.
    Minjun, please submit this report by today.
  2. 민준 Min-jun

    예, 알겠습니다. 지금 바로 시작하겠습니다.
    ye, algetseumnida. jigeum baro sijakaetseumnida.
    Yes, sir. I will start right now.
  3. 수빈 Su-bin

    꼼꼼하게 확인해서 보내 주세요.
    kkomkkomhage hwaginhaeseo bonae juseyo.
    Please check it carefully before sending it.
  4. 민준 Min-jun

    네, 알겠습니다. 그렇게 하겠습니다.
    ne, algetseumnida. geureoke hagetseumnida.
    Yes, I understand. I will do that.

Sources

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Phillip Kenneth
Phillip KennethHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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