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Korean is a fascinating language with a rich cultural history. Whether you’re traveling to Korea for business or pleasure, learning how to say yes and no in Korean is an essential part of communication.
However, mastering these basic phrases can be challenging for beginners. In this guide, we’ll explore different ways how to say yes and no in Korean, along with tips and tricks for perfecting your pronunciation and understanding the nuances of the language.
How to Say Yes in Korean
네 (ne)
- 네 (ne) is the most common way to say “yes” in Korean. It’s a polite and formal way of agreeing with someone, similar to the English word “yes.”
- Example: A: “Do you want to go to the movies tonight?” B: “네, 좋아요. (Yes, I’d like that.)”
Example
Original Korean Sentence
네, 좋아요.
Pronunciation Guide
네 (ne), 조아요 (jo-a-yo).
Meaning and Context
네 (yes; in a polite and formal way), 좋 (to like) 아요 (I’m telling you polite and friendly).
English Translation
Yes, I’d like that.
Literal Translation
Yes, (I) like.
예 (ye)
- 예 (ye) is another formal way to say “yes” in Korean. It’s commonly used in business and academic settings.
- Example: A: “Will you be attending the meeting tomorrow?” B: “예, 참석할게요. (Yes, I’ll be attending.)”
Example
Original Korean Sentence
예, 참석할게요.
Pronunciation Guide
예 (ye), 참석칼께요 (cham-seok-kal-gge-yo).
Meaning and Context
예 (yes; in a formal way), 참석하 (to attend) ㄹ게 (I will) 요 (I’m telling you polite and friendly).
Pronunciation Patterns for Conjugations
⊳ 하 + ㄹ = 할
When rapidly pronounced, ‘하’ and ‘ㄹ’ naturally combine to form ”할.”
English Translation
Yes, I’ll be attending.
Literal Translation
Yes, I’ll attend.
응 (eung)
- 응 (eung) is a casual way of saying “yes” in Korean. It’s often used among friends and family members.
- Example: A: “Do you want to grab some lunch?” B: “응, 좋아. (Yes, that sounds good.)”
Example
Original Korean Sentence
응, 좋아.
Pronunciation Guide
응 (eung), 조아 (jo-a).
Meaning and Context
응 (yes; in a casual way), 좋 (to be good) 아 (I’m telling you casually).
English Translation
Yes, that sounds good.
Literal Translation
Yes, good.
그래 (geurae)
- 그래 (geurae) is another casual way of saying “yes” in Korean. It can be used in response to a question or statement.
- Example: A: “Are you coming to the party tonight?” B: “그래, 갈게. (Yes, I’ll go.)”
Example
Original Korean Sentence
그래, 갈게.
Pronunciation Guide
그래 (geu-rae), 갈게 (gal-gge).
Meaning and Context
그래 (yes; in a way I agree or I understand), 가 (to go) ㄹ게 (I will; in a casual speech).
Pronunciation Patterns for Conjugations
⊳ 가 + ㄹ = 갈
When rapidly pronounced, ‘가’ and ‘ㄹ’ naturally combine to form ”갈.”
English Translation
Yes, I’ll go.
How to Say No in Korean
아니오 (anio)
- 아니오 (anio) is the most formal way of saying “no” in Korean. It’s appropriate for business and academic settings.
- Example: A: “Can you work overtime tonight?” B: “아니오, 불가능합니다. (No, it’s not possible.)”
Example
Original Korean Sentence
아니오, 불가능합니다.
Pronunciation Guide
아니오 (a-ni-o), 불가능함니다 (bul-ga-neung-ham-ni-da).
Meaning and Context
아니오 (no; in a formal way), 불가능하 (to not be possible) ㅂ니다 (is; I’m telling you polite and formal way).
Pronunciation Patterns for Conjugations
⊳ 하 + ㅂ = 합
When rapidly pronounced, ‘하’ and ‘ㅂ’ naturally combine to form ”합.”
English Translation
No, it’s not possible.
Literal Translation
No, (it)’s not possible.
아니요 (aniyo)
- 아니요 (aniyo) is a polite and friendly way of saying “no” in Korean. It’s appropriate in most situations.
- Example: A: “Do you want to join us for dinner?” B: “아니요, 저는 오늘 밤에 다른 약속이 있어요. (No, I have another appointment tonight.)”
Example
Original Korean Sentence
아니요, 저는 오늘 밤에 다른 약속이 있어요.
Pronunciation Guide
아니요 (a-ni-yo), 저는 (jeo-neun) 오늘 (o-neul) 밤에 (ba-me) 다른 (da-reun) 약소기 (yak-so-gi) 잇써요 (it–sseo-yo).
Meaning and Context
아니요 (no; polite and friendly way), 저 (I; in a humble way) 는 (I’m going to talk about me) 오늘 (today) 밤 (night) 에 (at) 다른 (another) 약속 (appointment) 이 (my subject is appointment) 있 (to have) 어요 (I’m telling you polite and friendly).
English Translation
No, I have another appointment tonight.
Literal Translation
No, I have another appointment at today night.
아닙니다 (animnida)
- 아닙니다 (animnida) is a more formal way of saying “no” in Korean. It’s often used in official or business contexts.
- Example: A: “Have you received any updates on the project?” B: “아닙니다, 아직 최신 정보를 받지 않았습니다. (No, I haven’t received the latest updates yet.)”
Example
Original Korean Sentence
아닙니다, 아직 최신 정보를 받지 않았습니다.
Pronunciation Guide
아님니다 (a-nim-ni-da), 아직 (a-jik) 최신 (choe-sin) 정보를 (jeong-bo-reul) 받찌 (bat-jji) 아낫씀니다 (a-nat-sseum-ni-da).
Meaning and Context
아닙니다 (no; in a official way), 아직 (yet) 최신 (latest) 정보 (information) 를 (my object is latest updates) 받 (to receive) 지 않 (not) 았 (past tense) 습니다 (I’m telling you formally).
English Translation
No, I haven’t received the latest updates yet.
Literal Translation
No, (I) haven’t received latest information yet.
아니 (ani)
- 아니 (ani) is a casual way of saying “no” in Korean. It’s often used among friends and family members.
- Example: A: “Do you want to watch a movie?” B: “아니, 지금은 좀 바빠. (No, I’m a bit busy right now.)”
Example
Original Korean Sentence
아니, 지금은 좀 바빠.
Pronunciation Guide
아니 (a-ni), 지그믄 (ji-geu-meun) 좀 (jom) 바빠 (ba-bba).
Meaning and Context
아니 (no; in a casual way), 지금 (now) 은 (as for) 좀 (a bit) 바쁘 (to be busy) 아 (am; I’m telling you casually).
Pronunciation Patterns for Conjugations
⊳ 쁘 + 아 = 빠
When rapidly pronounced, ‘쁘’ and ‘아’ naturally combine to form ”빠.”
English Translation
No, I’m a bit busy right now.
Literal Translation
No, As for now, (I)’m a bit busy.
Tips for How to say Yes and No in Korean
- Now that you know how to say yes and no in Korean, here are some tips for perfecting your pronunciation and using these phrases correctly:
Pay attention to tone
- In Korean, the tone of your voice can change the meaning of a word or phrase. How to say yes and no in Korean to be sure to use the appropriate tone to convey your message correctly.
Use body language
- Body language can also be helpful in communicating how to say yes and no in Korean. For example, nodding your head while saying “ne” can emphasize your agreement, while shaking your head while saying “aniyo” can indicate disagreement.
Practice with native speakers
- One of the best ways to improve your pronunciation and confidence in using how to say yes and no in Korean is to practice with native speakers. Look for language exchange programs, language learning apps, or online forums to connect with Korean speakers and practice your skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between “ne” and “ye”?
“Ne” and “ye” are both formal ways of saying “yes” in Korean, but “ye” is slightly more polite and reserved for formal situations like business or academic settings.
Is it okay to use casual language with strangers?
It’s generally not recommended to use casual language with strangers or in formal settings. Stick to formal language like “ne” or “aniyo” when speaking with someone you don’t know well or in a professional context.
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Conclusion: Mastering how to say yes and no in Korean
Knowing how to say yes and no in Korean is essential for basic communication in the language. Whether you’re traveling to Korea, studying Korean, or communicating with Korean-speaking friends or colleagues, mastering these phrases can help you navigate daily interactions with ease.
Remember to pay attention to tone and body language, and don’t be afraid to practice with native speakers to improve your skills. With time and practice, you’ll become more comfortable and confident in using “ne,” “ye,” “aniyo,” and “animnida” in everyday conversation.
So, there you have it – a beginner’s guide to how to say yes and no in Korean. Now you can confidently respond to questions and express your opinions in Korean. How to Say Yes and No in Korean is just the beginning – keep learning and exploring the language to deepen your understanding and appreciation of Korean culture.
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