Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use '괜찮아요' to politely say 'it's fine,' 'no thank you,' or 'I'm okay' in almost any situation.
- Means: It is acceptable, I am fine, or no thank you.
- Used in: Declining offers, reassuring someone, or responding to apologies.
- Don't confuse: It is not a direct translation of 'good' (like 'I feel good').
Explicación a tu nivel:
Significado
Expresses that something is fine or acceptable.
Contexto cultural
It is often used to hide one's own needs to avoid bothering others. It is used to soften the blow of a rejection in a professional setting.
Tone matters
A soft tone makes it sound reassuring; a flat tone makes it sound like a firm 'no'.
Tone matters
A soft tone makes it sound reassuring; a flat tone makes it sound like a firm 'no'.
Ponte a prueba
How do you respond to an apology?
A: 죄송합니다! B: ...
It is the standard way to reassure someone.
Complete the phrase for declining an offer.
더 드시겠어요? - 아뇨, _______.
It is the polite way to say no.
🎉 Puntuación: /2
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
3 ejerciciosA: 죄송합니다! B: ...
It is the standard way to reassure someone.
더 드시겠어요? - 아뇨, _______.
It is the polite way to say no.
🎉 Puntuación: /3
Preguntas frecuentes
1 preguntasNo, use '아파요' (I'm sick).
Frases relacionadas
걱정 마세요
similarDon't worry
아니에요
similarNo / Not at all
Dónde usarla
Declining a drink
Friend: 커피 더 마실래?
You: 아뇨, 괜찮아요.
Responding to an apology
Colleague: 죄송해요, 늦었어요.
You: 괜찮아요.
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
Think of 'Can-chan-ayo' sounds like 'Can-chain-ayo' (I can chain my worries away).
Asociación visual
Imagine a person waving their hand gently while smiling, like a traffic light turning green.
Rhyme
When you feel low, just say 괜찮아요.
Story
Min-su drops his coffee. He looks worried. I smile and say, '괜찮아요!' He feels relieved and smiles back. We both continue our day.
In Other Languages
Similar to 'It's okay' in English or 'Está bien' in Spanish. It serves the same function of social reassurance.
Word Web
Desafío
Say '괜찮아요' every time you decline an offer today.
Review in 1, 3, 7, and 14 days.
Pronunciación
Like 'gwen' in Gwen Stefani.
Aspirated 'ch' sound.
Espectro de formalidad
괜찮습니다. (General)
괜찮아요. (General)
괜찮아. (General)
괜찮네. (General)
Rooted in '관' (concern) and '차다' (to be full). It meant 'no concern'.
Dato curioso
It is one of the first words tourists learn because it solves so many communication problems.
Notas culturales
It is often used to hide one's own needs to avoid bothering others.
“배고파도 괜찮아요.”
It is used to soften the blow of a rejection in a professional setting.
“이번 제안은 괜찮습니다.”
Inicios de conversación
오늘 기분 어때요?
도와줄까요?
Errores comunes
저는 괜찮아요 (I am fine/healthy)
저는 잘 지내요 (I am doing well)
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Está bien
Korean usage is more focused on social comfort.
Ça va
Ça va is more frequently used as a greeting.
Alles gut
German is less likely to be used for declining offers.
Daijoubu
The cultural weight of 'face-saving' is very similar.
La, shukran
Korean is more indirect.
Spotted in the Real World
“괜찮아요, 다 괜찮아요.”
Reassuring a friend during a crisis.
Fácil de confundir
Learners think it means 'it's fine'.
좋아요 means 'it's good/I like it'. 괜찮아요 means 'it's acceptable'.
Preguntas frecuentes (1)
No, use '아파요' (I'm sick).
usage contexts
