Methods of Agreeing in Korean and How to Use Them

Learn how to respond positively in Korean with the help of this article.

One of the most crucial Korean words to master You've probably heard the Korean word for "yes" before, whether through Kpop songs, K-dramas, or conversations with Korean friends.

Simply by agreeing to try something new, you open the door to a world of exciting possibilities.  

We also provide a downloadable PDF version of this tutorial at no cost so you can study anywhere, anytime. Read on to find out more:

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Then let's move on to the affirmative.

The Korean word for "yes"

The first difference between Korean and English "yes" usage is subtle. A verb is used in many contexts where the English word "yes" or "no" would be used.

If you want to say "yes" or "no" in Korean, you'll use the regular (positive) form or the negative (negative) form, respectively. For some additional examples, please refer to the appendix at the end of this piece.

Korean has several variations on the word "yes." Words vary in politeness depending on the situation.  

To help you get started, here's a video showing you how to say "yes" in Korean.

The Korean word for "yes" in its formal form

This is the formal form of "yes" in Korean, so get your shirts ironed and your shoes shined.

예 (ye)

It's almost identical in sound to the English word "yeah," making it an easy one to remember; the only difference is in length.

Example:

A: 미국사람입니까 (miguksaramimnikka)

Do you call yourself an American

B: 예, 미국사람입니다 This is correct (ye, miguksaramimnida)

Sure, I'm a patriot.

A simple "Yes" in Korean

The normal Korean for "yes" is shown below. It's appropriate for any setting; you won't have to worry about hurt feelings by using it.

1. 네 (ne)  

Since it sounds like a bad word in English, this one may take some getting used to. The politeness levels of ne (no) and ye (yes) are often disregarded when using them interchangeably.

Let's look at a real-world scenario:

Example:

A: 김치를 좋아하세요 The Korean phrase

Are you a fan of gimchi?

B: 네, 좋아해요 It's not joking around; (ne, joahaeyo)

Gimchi is good?

Finally, here are some casual Korean ways to answer "yes."

These forms of the Korean word for "yes" are informal, so they should only be used with people below you on the social ladder. Why? Because there are gradations of politeness and respect in the Korean language.

First, there's eung and eo.

While (eung) is commonly used among females, (eo) is more common among males.

Example:

A: 나 예뻐 To put it simply: (na yeppeo)

Ask Yourself:

B: 어, 너무 예뻐 It's all good (eo, neomu yeppeo).

Certainly, a lovely appearance.

A: 이거 좋아 (igeo joa)

Can we use this

B: eung, joa (hear, see).

It's fine, I guess.

Variants on the Korean "Yes" and "No"

Instead of just saying "yes" or "no" in response to a question, you can use the verb that was asked of you in Korean. ”

The following examples are all at the expected level of politeness.

First, Isseoyo and Eopseoyo.

The Korean words for "yes" and "no" are (isseoyo) and (eopseoyo), respectively translating to "have" and "not have," respectively. If someone wants to know whether or not you have something, they might add the word / (isseoyo / eopseoyo) to the end of the question.

As an alternative to "yes" and "no," Koreans will sometimes use the / (isseoyo / eopseoyo) verbs. We'll demonstrate how it operates.

Example:

A: 포인트 카드 있어요 Pointeu kadeu isseoyo.

Have you got a loyalty card?

Isseoyo (B1)

In a literal sense, yes, I do.

Eopseoyo (B2:)

Actually, there is no such thing, so I don't.

Second phrase: arayo/mollayo

What these two verbs mean is:

"to know": "arayo"

= mollayo | to be in the dark

You may be asked if you know some information in Korean. Instead of answering "yes" or "no," you can use the appropriate verb to show your level of familiarity with the topic at hand. So that you can see them in action, we'll provide an example.

Example:

A: 스티브의 휴대폰번호를 알아요 Translation:(seutibeuui hyudaeponbeonhoreul arayo)

I was wondering if you had Steve's phone number.

In B1 we have arayo.

Yes [in the sense that I am aware of it]

Mollayo (B2)

No, I don't [not at all; I have no idea].

Caution Needed When Using Romanization

All of these words have been romanized for easier pronunciation. You should, however, make an effort to read fluently in Hangul (the Korean alphabet) so that you can better your pronunciation and reading skills. The ability to recognize word patterns is a key factor in accelerating the acquisition of new vocabulary and grammatical concepts as you study Korean.

Learn the Korean alphabet in one hour with this free downloadable guide.

Vocabulary study is one of the best ways to get a handle on the fundamentals of a new language. Conversational practice is the single most important step toward fluency in Korean. If you want to learn more Korean, check out our free phrasebook or our comprehensive online course.

Now that you know the Korean word for "yes," start using it and open yourself up to an exciting world of possibilities.