알았어
arasseo
To say you got it in Korean, meaning you understand a request and will do it, use 알았어 (arasseo).
알았어 is a casual way to agree to a request. 알겠어 is another casual way to say got it.
What does it mean word for word?
It is the informal past tense of the verb 알다, to know, so it literally means I understood.
Which one should you use?
그렇게 하겠습니다. means I will do as you have requested and is formal.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
알았어 is informal and should only be used with friends or people younger than you. The polite version is 알겠습니다, common at work or in formal settings to show you have understood an instruction.
How do you pronounce it?
It is romanized as arasseo.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Said in a sharp tone to someone of higher status, 알았어 can sound blunt, like fine or whatever.
Did you know?
- Depending on the intonation, 알았어 can function as a question 알았어? meaning 'Do you understand?' or 'Do we have a deal?', changing the meaning from an answer to a query.
- The phrase 알았어 is frequently used in K-dramas as a way to end a conversation abruptly, acting more like 'I'm done talking about this' than a simple agreement.
- While English speakers often say 'you got it' to mean 'your wish is my command', Koreans use 알겠습니다 in professional settings to signal that the responsibility for the task has now shifted to them.
Examples in context
- 알았어, 금방 갈게!Got it, I'll be there soon!
- 알았어, 지금 갈게.arasseo, jigeum galge.Got it, I'll go now.
Example conversation
Two friends are planning to meet at a cafe.
- 지은 Ji-eun현우야, 3시에 카페에서 만나자.hyeonuya, sesi-e kapeseo mannaja.Hyeonwoo, let's meet at the cafe at 3.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo알았어, 그때 봐.arasseo, geuttae bwa.Got it, see you then.
- 지은 Ji-eun늦으면 안 돼!neujeumyeon an dwae!Don't be late!
- 현우 Hyeon-woo응, 알았어.eung, arasseo.Yeah, got it.
