감사합니다
"Thank you" in formal Korean — the safest, most universally appropriate way to express gratitude.
- Meaning: "Thank you" in formal Korean — the safest, most universally appropriate way to express gratitude.
- Pronunciation: /kam.sa.ɦam.ni.da/ (gamsahamnida)
- Part of speech: verb (formal speech level)
- Formality: Formal — safe in business, service, and unfamiliar settings.
- Literal: I do gratitude / I thank
What does 감사합니다 mean?
감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) is the formal way to say "thank you" in Korean and the version most learners are taught first. Built from 감사 (gamsa, "gratitude" — Sino-Korean 感謝) plus 하다 (to do) plus the formal 합니다 ending, it is the safest "thank you" for any context: shops, restaurants, formal greetings, business meetings, broadcasting. The polite-informal version 고마워요 (gomawoyo) and casual 고마워 (gomawo) come from a different root verb 고맙다 — both mean the same thing but signal closeness. K-pop idols thanking fans use 감사합니다 (formal) almost universally; among friends 고마워 dominates. When unsure, default to 감사합니다.
Examples in context
When to use 감사합니다
- Default polite "thank you" in any unfamiliar setting
- Service interactions: shops, restaurants, taxis
- Business and formal communication
- K-pop idol speeches, public-facing thank-yous
- Whenever you are unsure of the formality level
When NOT to use 감사합니다
- Casual peer interactions where 고마워 fits better
- Sarcastic or ironic gratitude (use casual register for that)
- In writing, when 감사드립니다 (gamsadeurimnida, more humble) is preferred
Related terms
More in Politeness
Greetings, thanks, apologies, support — the social-glue vocabulary.
"I love you" in informal Korean — used between close friends, family, and romantic partners.
A cheering exclamation meaning "let's go!", "you can do it!", or "good luck!" — Korean's universal encouragement word.
"Hi" or "bye" in informal Korean — the casual version of the polite 안녕하세요.
"Sorry" in informal Korean — the casual way to apologize to friends, family, or close peers.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say "thank you" in Korean?
The formal "thank you" is 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida). The polite version is 고마워요 (gomawoyo) and the casual version is 고마워 (gomawo). 감사합니다 is the safest default in any unfamiliar setting.
What is the difference between 감사합니다 and 고마워?
They both mean "thank you" but come from different verb roots and serve different speech levels. 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) is formal — for service, business, strangers. 고마워 (gomawo) is casual — for friends, family, close peers. 고마워요 (gomawoyo) is the polite-informal middle ground.
Can I say 감사합니다 to a friend?
You can, but it sounds overly formal between close friends and may feel distant. Friends typically say 고마워 (gomawo). Save 감사합니다 for situations where politeness matters more than warmth.
How is 감사합니다 pronounced?
감사합니다 is pronounced [kam.sa.ɦam.ni.da] — "gam-sa-ham-ni-da." Five syllables, all light. Note: in fast speech the H in 합 often weakens, sounding closer to "gam-sa-am-ni-da."
More Korean slang?
Browse the full Korean Slang Dictionary or read the deep-dive: Korean Slang Ultimate Guide.