감사하다 vs 고맙습니다
Korean word comparison
Listen to 감사하다
Listen to 고맙습니다
| 감사하다 | 고맙습니다 |
|---|---|
gam-SA-ha-da verb | go-mab-seum-ni-da verb |
| to be thankful; to express gratitude | thank you; I am grateful |
How they differ
고맙습니다 is not a different meaning so much as the polite speech form of 고맙다. Compared with 감사하다, it feels more direct, warm, and commonly used in speech, while 감사하다 can feel a bit more detached or formal.
When to use each
When to use 감사하다: Use 감사하다 when you want a formal, polished expression of gratitude, especially in writing or public-facing language.
When to use 고맙습니다: Use 고맙습니다 when politely thanking someone in conversation, announcements, or customer-facing situations.
Side-by-side examples
- 관심 가져 주셔서 감사합니다.
(Thank you for your interest.) - 관심 가져 주셔서 고맙습니다.
(Thank you for your interest.)
Register & nuance: Both are polite, but 고맙습니다 is more natural in spoken Korean, while 감사하다 is more common in formal or written styles.