A1 Expression 正式

알겠습니다.

Algetseumnida.

I understand.

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use '알겠습니다' to politely confirm that you understand instructions or information in a formal setting.

  • Means: A formal way to say 'I understand' or 'I will do so'.
  • Used in: Business meetings, talking to superiors, or formal customer service interactions.
  • Don't confuse: Do not use with close friends; it sounds cold or overly robotic.
Formal bow + clear nod = professional understanding

Explanation at your level:

This is a very simple way to say 'I understand' in Korean. You use it when talking to teachers or bosses to be polite.
It is a formal expression used to confirm information. It combines the verb 'to know' with a formal ending, making it perfect for professional situations.
This phrase is a staple of the formal register. It functions as both a confirmation of understanding and a promise of future action, reflecting the hierarchical nature of Korean social interactions.
In professional contexts, this phrase serves as a linguistic marker of compliance. It is used to maintain social harmony by explicitly acknowledging the authority of the speaker while confirming the listener's intent to follow instructions.
The phrase utilizes the '-겠-' suffix to denote volitional certainty. It is a performative utterance that solidifies the power dynamic between interlocutors, ensuring that the listener's acceptance of the directive is clearly articulated within the formal honorific system.
From a cognitive linguistics perspective, '알겠습니다' maps the concept of 'knowledge' onto 'future commitment'. It is a highly conventionalized speech act that functions as a phatic device to maintain social order and demonstrate adherence to the strict politeness protocols inherent in the Korean language.

意思

A polite and formal way to say 'I understand'.

🌍

文化背景

It is the most common phrase heard in offices. It signals you are a good employee. Waiters and clerks use this to show they are listening to your order. Students use this to show respect to teachers.

💡

Pronunciation

Don't pronounce the 'b' in '습니다'. It's silent.

💬

Body Language

Nod slightly while saying it to show sincerity.

意思

A polite and formal way to say 'I understand'.

💡

Pronunciation

Don't pronounce the 'b' in '습니다'. It's silent.

💬

Body Language

Nod slightly while saying it to show sincerity.

自我测试

Which is appropriate for a boss?

What do you say to your boss?

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: 알겠습니다

It is the formal version.

Fill in the blank.

네, ____.

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: 알겠습니다

Matches the formal '네'.

Match the register.

Who do you say '알겠어' to?

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: Friend

Casual register.

Complete the dialogue.

Boss: 'Finish this.' You: '____.'

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: 알겠습니다

Formal response.

🎉 得分: /4

视觉学习工具

常见问题

8 个问题

No, it sounds very cold.

Yes, very.

No, it means I understand/will do.

Say '잘 모르겠습니다'.

Rarely, usually '네' is used.

It's a grammatical ending, but the 'b' is silent.

Extremely common.

Yes, it implies agreement.

相关表达

🔗

알았어요

similar

I understood

🔗

builds on

Yes

🔗

알겠어

contrast

I get it

在哪里用

💼

Workplace Instruction

Boss: 오늘까지 이 보고서 끝내세요.

Employee: 네, 알겠습니다.

formal
🛎️

Customer Service

Customer: 여기 물 좀 주세요.

Waiter: 네, 알겠습니다.

formal
🤝

Formal Request

Client: 내일 2시에 다시 연락주세요.

Agent: 알겠습니다.

formal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Al-get-sum-ni-da' as 'All get some knee-da' (I get it, I'm kneeling down to show respect).

Visual Association

Imagine a soldier saluting a general. The soldier says '알겠습니다' to show he is ready to follow orders.

Story

Mr. Kim is at a meeting. His boss says, 'Finish this report by 5 PM.' Mr. Kim nods and says, '알겠습니다.' He feels professional and ready to work.

Word Web

알다이해하다알았어요알겠어

挑战

Practice saying it in the mirror with a slight bow 10 times.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Entendido

Korean requires a specific verb ending for formality.

French moderate

Compris

Korean implies a promise to act.

German moderate

Verstanden

Korean is more focused on social politeness.

Japanese high

承知いたしました

Japanese has even more complex honorifics.

Arabic moderate

فهمت

Korean is more about the social contract.

Easily Confused

알겠습니다. 对比 알아요

Learners think it means 'I understand'.

It means 'I know (a fact)'.

알겠습니다. 对比 알았어

Learners use it with teachers.

It is too casual.

알겠습니다. 对比 이해해요

Learners use it for instructions.

It means 'I comprehend the concept'.

常见问题 (8)

No, it sounds very cold.

Yes, very.

No, it means I understand/will do.

Say '잘 모르겠습니다'.

Rarely, usually '네' is used.

It's a grammatical ending, but the 'b' is silent.

Extremely common.

Yes, it implies agreement.

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