6 Ways to Say You're Welcome in Korean
Written and reviewed by Jun and Jin, native Korean speakers
Published · How we write & review
After this page, you can answer thanks naturally in Korean — usually with 아니에요 (anieyo) rather than 천만에요.
10-second answer
How do you say you're welcome in Korean?
천만에요 (cheonmaneyo) is the textbook "you're welcome," but Koreans respond to thanks far more often with 아니에요 (anieyo, "no, [it was nothing]") — deflecting the thanks rather than formally accepting it. Which one you pick again depends on formality and how much you want to downplay the favor.
Quick check — did that land?
1. Which reply do Koreans actually use most often after being thanked?
Thank you gets a surprising reply in Korean.
The Full Spectrum
| Phrase | Formality | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 천만에요 (cheonmaneyo) | Formal, textbook | The dictionary answer to 감사합니다 — understood everywhere, if slightly stiff in daily talk |
| 아니에요 (anieyo) | Polite, the real default | "No, [it's nothing]" — the phrase Koreans actually use most to deflect thanks politely |
| 별말씀을요 (byeolmalsseumeuryo) | Polite and humble, a little formal | "Don't mention it" — a humble, slightly formal way to deflect thanks |
| 괜찮아요 (gwaenchanayo) | Polite-casual | "It's fine/no worries" — used when the favor was small, works with coworkers or acquaintances |
| 아니야 (aniya) | Casual (반말) | Same deflection as 아니에요, just dropped to casual speech with close friends |
| 괜찮아 (gwaenchana) | Casual (반말) | "No worries" among close friends — the most common casual reply after helping someone out |
Which thank-you you heard decides which reply fits — see 감사합니다 vs 고마워.
See also: 10 Ways to Say Thank You in Korean
The One Rule That Matters Most
Don't over-rely on 천만에요 — it's correct but sounds textbook-formal in real conversation. Natives usually respond to 감사합니다/고마워 with a quick 아니에요 or 괜찮아(요), deflecting rather than formally "accepting" the thanks the way English "you're welcome" does.
Quick Examples
A: 정말 감사해요! B: 아니에요, 별거 아니에요.
A: jeongmal gamsahaeyo! B: anieyo, byeolgeo anieyo.
A: Thank you so much! B: No worries, it was nothing.
별거 아니에요 ("it's no big deal") often tags along after 아니에요.
괜찮아, 다음에 또 도와줄게.
gwaenchana, daeume tto dowajulge.
No worries, I'll help you again next time.
Casual reply between friends, softening the exchange with a future offer.
Common Mistakes
Mistake #1 — Always answering with 천만에요
It's not wrong, but real conversations lean on 아니에요/괜찮아(요) far more often — 천만에요 can sound like it's straight out of a textbook.
Mistake #2 — Treating 괜찮아요 as only meaning "I'm okay"
괜찮아요 doubles as a warm, casual "you're welcome / no worries" reply — context (right after thanks) makes the meaning clear.
Mini Quiz
2. What does 괜찮아요 mean when said right after someone thanks you?
3. Which phrase is the most formal, dictionary-style "you're welcome"?
Related Knowledge
Learn Next
10 Ways to Say Goodbye in Korean
Thanks and its reply are covered — goodbye is the next phrase pair every beginner needs at the same formality granularity.
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