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천만에요
How to say you’re welcome in Korean A1
아니에요 beats textbook 천만에요 — natural replies when someone thanks you.
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Every form, from formal to casual
After 감사합니다, natives usually say 아니에요 (“it’s nothing”) or just nod. Textbook 천만에요 is rare in speech.
| Korean | Romanization | Level | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 아니에요 | anieyo | Polite default | Most replies to thanks |
| 괜찮아요 | gwaenchanayo | Polite | It’s fine / no worries |
| 천만에요 | cheonmaneyo | Textbook | Rare; formal writing / old textbooks |
| 뭘요 | mwollyo | Soft polite | “It was nothing” |
Which one do I actually use?
Cashier thanks you: smile + 네 or 아니에요. Friend thanks you for a favor: 뭘요 or 괜찮아.
Pronunciation notes
- 아니에요
a-ni-e-yo; 예요 contracts from 이에요 after a vowel sometimes written 예요.
Vocabulary set
Cards are saved in this browser and scheduled with spaced repetition.
Quick drill
Common mistakes
- ✗ Always answering with 천만에요✓ 아니에요 / 네천만에요 sounds textbook; natives prefer 아니에요.
Example sentences
감사합니다. — 아니에요.
gamsahamnida. — anieyo.
Thank you. — You’re welcome.
도와줘서 고마워. — 뭘.
dowajwoseo gomawo. — mwol.
Thanks for helping. — No big deal.
FAQ
How do you say you’re welcome in Korean?
아니에요 is the natural reply. 천만에요 is understood but uncommon in daily speech.
Can I just say 네?
Yes — a nod and 네 after 감사합니다 is perfectly polite.
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