Thanks and Sorry
Thank people and apologize in both formal and friendly-polite registers, and respond naturally when someone thanks or apologizes to you.
Formality pairs: formal vs friendly-polite
Korean often gives you two ways to say the same thing, differing only in formality. 감사합니다 and 죄송합니다 are the more formal picks — safe with strangers, elders, or in customer service. 고마워요 and 미안해요 are friendlier and warmer — perfect for classmates, coworkers you know well, or casual settings. Both pairs stay inside 해요체's polite territory, so neither is ever rude; they just dial the formality up or down. When in doubt with someone you just met, reach for the formal pair.
The safe, formal 'thank you' — use it with strangers, service staff, or anyone senior to you. You already learned why it's pronounced [감사함니다] back in L0: the ㅂ batchim in 합 nasalizes to ㅁ before the ㄴ in 니다.
The warmer, everyday 'thanks' — great for friends, classmates, and people you already know. Still polite, just less formal than 감사합니다.
A formal apology — use it with strangers or in professional situations, like bumping into someone on the street.
A warmer, everyday 'sorry' — for friends and people you know well. Same relationship to 죄송합니다 as 고마워요 is to 감사합니다.
괜찮아요: the do-it-all phrase
괜찮아요 does triple duty, and you'll hear it constantly. It means 'it's okay' when brushing off someone's apology, 'no thanks' when politely declining an offer, and 'I'm fine' when someone asks how you're doing. Context tells you which meaning is in play — the phrase itself never changes.
The universal reassurance. Someone apologizes? 괜찮아요 = 'it's okay.' Someone offers you something you don't want? 괜찮아요 = 'no thanks.' Someone asks if you're alright? 괜찮아요 = 'I'm fine.'
The humble reply to thanks — literally 'it's not [a big deal].' Say it when someone thanks you and you want to downplay it, similar to 'don't mention it.'
Accidentally bumping into someone on the street
Someone helps you pick up something you dropped
Say it out loud
Listen, then repeat aloud. Matching the rhythm matters more than perfection.