고마워
gomawo
Thanks (casual)
감사합니다
gamsahamnida
Thank you (formal)
고마워 (Gomawo) vs 감사합니다 (Gamsahamnida): Thank You in Korean
고마워 (gomawo) is the casual way to say thank you in Korean, used with close friends and younger people. 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) is the formal and respectful form, appropriate for strangers, elders, and professional situations.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| 고마워 (gomawo) | 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) | |
|---|---|---|
| Politeness Level | Casual / Informal | Formal / Highly polite |
| Origin | Native Korean (고맙다) | Sino-Korean (感謝, from Chinese) |
| Polite Middle Form | 고마워요 (gomawoyo) | 감사해요 (gamsahaeyo) |
| Used With | Friends, younger people, siblings | Bosses, elders, strangers, customers |
| Emotional Tone | Warm, personal gratitude | Respectful, professional gratitude |
Examples in Context
Friend buys you coffee — using 고마워
고마워! 다음에 내가 살게.
Thanks! I'll buy next time.
Receiving a gift from a senior colleague — using 감사합니다
정말 감사합니다.
Thank you very much.
Friend helps you move apartments — using 고마워
도와줘서 진짜 고마워.
I'm really thankful you helped me.
Thanking a teacher after class — using 감사합니다
가르쳐 주셔서 감사합니다.
Thank you for teaching me.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Using 고마워 with your teacher or boss — always use 감사합니다 in professional or hierarchical relationships
- ✗Using 감사합니다 with your best friend for passing the salt — it can sound unnecessarily stiff or even sarcastic
- ✗Forgetting 고마워요 — this polite-but-warm middle form is great for acquaintances and friendly coworkers
- ✗Not knowing that 고맙습니다 (gomapseumnida) also exists as a formal native Korean alternative to 감사합니다
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 고마워 and 감사합니다?
고마워 (gomawo) comes from the native Korean word 고맙다 and is casual. 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) uses the Sino-Korean word 감사 (感謝) and is the standard formal thank you. Both mean 'thank you' but differ in formality level.
Which one should I use as a Korean learner?
Default to 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida). It's always safe and polite. Only switch to 고마워 when you're sure the relationship is casual enough — for example, with Korean friends who have already told you to speak casually (반말).
Is 고맙습니다 the same as 감사합니다?
They're very similar in meaning and formality. 고맙습니다 (gomapseumnida) is the formal form of the native Korean 고맙다, while 감사합니다 uses the Sino-Korean root. In practice, 감사합니다 is slightly more common in professional settings.
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