A1 Expression Formel 1 min de lecture

감사합니다

ko

Thank you

Entraîne-toi

Phrase in 30 Seconds

The standard, polite way to express gratitude in Korean, suitable for almost any situation with strangers or superiors.

  • Means: A formal expression of gratitude derived from the Sino-Korean root for 'feeling' and 'thanks'.
  • Used in: Professional settings, speaking to elders, or interacting with service staff in public.
  • Don't confuse: Do not use with close friends; use '고마워' instead to avoid sounding distant.
Bow + Kind smile + 감사합니다 = Perfect social interaction

Explication à ton niveau :

This is the most important word for beginners. It means 'thank you' and you should use it whenever someone helps you or gives you something.
At this level, you learn that '감사합니다' is a formal expression. It is used in public, with teachers, and with people you meet for the first time. It is a compound of a noun and a formal verb ending.
Beyond simple thanks, this phrase functions as a social marker. It demonstrates your awareness of the Korean honorific system. Using it correctly helps you navigate professional environments and public service interactions with ease.
The usage of '감사합니다' reflects the speaker's grasp of social distance. In business contexts, it is often paired with specific honorifics to show deep appreciation. It is the standard for maintaining professional decorum in South Korea.
From a sociolinguistic perspective, '감사합니다' is a performative act that reinforces the hierarchical structure of Korean society. Its usage is highly context-dependent, requiring the speaker to calibrate their level of formality based on the age, status, and relationship with the listener.
The phrase serves as a prime example of the intersection between Sino-Korean vocabulary and the Korean honorific system. It encapsulates the cultural imperative of 'chemyon' (face) and social harmony, functioning as a linguistic tool to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics in a high-context culture.

Signification

A polite way to express gratitude to someone.

🌍

Contexte culturel

Bowing while saying it is standard.

💡

Bow

Always bow slightly.

💡

Bow

Always bow slightly.

Teste-toi

Which is appropriate for a boss?

What do you say to your boss?

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : 감사합니다

Always use formal language with superiors.

🎉 Score : /1

Banque d exercices

2 exercices
Choisis la bonne réponse Fill Blank

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
Which is appropriate for a boss? Choose A1

What do you say to your boss?

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : 감사합니다

Always use formal language with superiors.

🎉 Score : /2

Questions fréquentes

1 questions

No, it's too formal.

Expressions liées

🔄

고맙습니다

synonym

Thank you

Où l'utiliser

☕

Coffee Shop

Barista: 여기 커피 나왔습니다.

You: 감사합니다.

formal
🗺️

Asking for directions

Stranger: 저쪽으로 가세요.

You: 감사합니다!

formal

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'Gam-sa' as 'Gams' (gems) of 'ha' (happiness) that you give back to someone.

Association visuelle

Imagine yourself bowing to a store clerk while holding a bag of gems.

Story

You are in Seoul. You buy a coffee. You hand the barista your card. They hand you the coffee. You bow slightly and say '감사합니다'. You feel the connection.

In Other Languages

Similar to 'Merci' in French or 'Danke' in German, but with a strict requirement for honorifics.

Word Web

고맙습니다감사인사예의친절존댓말

Défi

Say '감사합니다' to every person who provides a service to you today.

Review in 1, 3, 7, and 14 days.

Prononciation

Accent Flat

Hard K sound.

Spectre de formalité

Formel
감사합니다

감사합니다 (General)

Neutre
감사해요

감사해요 (General)

Informel
고마워

고마워 (General)

Argot
땡큐

땡큐 (General)

Sino-Korean roots.

Joseon:

Le savais-tu ?

It is the most used phrase in Korean service.

Notes culturelles

Bowing while saying it is standard.

“Bow + 감사합니다.”

Amorces de conversation

“

How do you say thank you?

Erreurs courantes

✗

친구에게 감사합니다.

✓

친구에게 고마워.

wrong register
Using formal language with friends sounds cold and distant.

L1 Interference

0 1

In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

Gracias

Korean requires honorifics; Spanish does not.

French moderate

Merci

Korean's formality is mandatory.

German moderate

Danke

Korean verb endings change the meaning.

Japanese Very Similar

Arigatou gozaimasu

Japanese has more complex levels of 'keigo'.

Arabic moderate

Shukran

Korean is more formal.

Chinese moderate

Xiexie

Korean has complex grammar endings.

Korean Very Similar

감사합니다

None.

Portuguese moderate

Obrigado/a

Korean is status-based.

Spotted in the Real World

🎬

(2019)

“감사합니다”

When getting a job.

Facile à confondre

감사합니다 vs 고마워

Informal vs Formal

Use 고마워 for friends.

Questions fréquentes (1)

No, it's too formal.

usage contexts

Learning Path

Prerequisites

C'tait utile ?

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