감사합니다 vs 고마워요
Korean word comparison
Listen to 감사합니다
Listen to 고마워요
| 감사합니다 | 고마워요 |
|---|---|
gam-SAH-ham-ni-da verb (polite/formal expression) | go-ma-wo-yo verb (polite/formal expression) |
| Thank you; an expression of gratitude used politely | Thanks (polite informal, 해요-form) |
How they differ
고마워요 is less formal than 감사합니다 and uses the casual/polite 해요 ending; it conveys friendliness and is appropriate among peers or with people you know without a strict hierarchical distance. It would sound too informal or insufficiently deferential in formal business contexts or toward much older/superior people.
When to use each
When to use 감사합니다: Use 감사합니다 when speaking in formal settings or to people who require a high level of respect.
When to use 고마워요: Use 고마워요 when you want a friendly, polite tone with acquaintances, coworkers of similar rank, or casual social situations.
Side-by-side examples
- 초대해 주셔서 감사합니다.
(Thank you for inviting me.) - 초대해 줘서 고마워요.
(Thanks for inviting me.)
Register & nuance: Casual-polite (해요-form); suitable for informal to semi-formal situations but not for highly formal or honorific contexts.