아니에요
anieyo
not at all / it's nothing
천만에요
cheonmaneyo
you're welcome
아니에요 vs 천만에요: The Natural Way to Say You're Welcome in Korean
아니에요 is often the more natural everyday reply to thanks, meaning 'not at all' or 'it's nothing.' 천만에요 is correct but can sound formal, textbook-like, or uncommon in casual modern Korean.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| 아니에요 (anieyo) | 천만에요 (cheonmaneyo) | |
|---|---|---|
| Naturalness | Very common in everyday replies to thanks | Correct, but often feels textbook-like |
| Literal Meaning | No / not at all, said modestly | Direct equivalent of you're welcome |
| Tone | Humble, casual-polite, soft | Formal, explicit, sometimes stiff |
| Best Setting | Daily conversation, small favors, polite replies | Textbooks, formal explanations, some service contexts |
| Close Friend Form | 아냐 or 별거 아니야 | Rarely used casually |
Examples in Context
Polite everyday reply — using 아니에요
도와주셔서 감사해요. —아니에요.
Thank you for helping. —Not at all.
Soft humble reply — using 아니에요
정말 고마워요. —아니에요, 괜찮아요.
Thank you so much. —Not at all, it's fine.
Textbook-style direct reply — using 천만에요
감사합니다. —천만에요.
Thank you. —You're welcome.
Formal explanation — using 천만에요
천만에요는 'you're welcome'이라는 뜻이에요.
천만에요 means 'you're welcome.'
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Answering every 감사합니다 with 천만에요 — it is correct but often not the most natural modern reply.
- ✗Thinking 아니에요 literally means 'no' in a rude way here — in this context it is a humble 'not at all.'
- ✗Using 아냐 with strangers or elders — use 아니에요 for polite speech.
- ✗Forgetting that Korean replies to thanks often minimize the favor instead of directly saying 'you're welcome.'
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Koreans really say 천만에요?
Yes, but not as often as textbooks suggest. Many Koreans use 아니에요, 괜찮아요, 별말씀을요, or 별거 아니에요 depending on context.
Is 아니에요 polite enough?
Yes. 아니에요 is polite and natural in many everyday situations. For more formal settings, 별말씀을요 can sound polished.
What should I say to a close friend?
Use 아냐, 괜찮아, or 별거 아니야. These sound casual and friendly.
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