감사 vs 고마움
Korean word comparison
Listen to 감사
Listen to 고마움
| 감사 | 고마움 |
|---|---|
gahm-SA noun | go-ma-um noun |
| thanks; gratitude | a feeling of gratitude; thankfulness |
How they differ
고마움 refers to the feeling or emotion of being thankful, while 감사 is broader and can also mean gratitude as a concept or an expression of thanks. 고마움 is more personal and emotional, so it sounds a bit softer and more inward than 감사.
When to use each
When to use 감사: Use 감사 when you want a general, neutral word for gratitude or thanks.
When to use 고마움: Use 고마움 when you want to emphasize the feeling of thankfulness itself.
Side-by-side examples
- 그의 도움에 감사를 느꼈다.
(I felt gratitude for his help.) - 그의 도움에 고마움을 느꼈다.
(I felt thankfulness for his help.)
Register & nuance: 감사 is broader and more formal or neutral, while 고마움 is more emotional and often used in everyday or reflective language.