감사하다 vs 고맙다
Korean word comparison
Listen to 감사하다
Listen to 고맙다
| 감사하다 | 고맙다 |
|---|---|
gam-SA-ha-da verb | go-mab-da verb |
| to be thankful; to express gratitude | to be thankful; to feel grateful |
How they differ
고맙다 and 감사하다 overlap strongly, but 고맙다 is the more native, everyday word and often sounds warmer or more personal. 감사하다 is more formal, polite, and common in written or official contexts.
When to use each
When to use 감사하다: Use 감사하다 when you want to sound polite, formal, or professional, especially in writing, speeches, and service situations.
When to use 고맙다: Use 고맙다 when speaking naturally with friends, family, or in casual thanks that feels more heartfelt.
Side-by-side examples
- 도와주셔서 감사합니다.
(Thank you for helping me.) - 도와줘서 고마워.
(Thanks for helping me.)
Register & nuance: 감사하다 is generally more formal and respectful, while 고맙다 is more conversational and everyday.
- See the full Word of the Day entry for 감사하다
- See the Word of the Day entry for 고맙다
- Back to today's Korean word