Korean word

천만에요

Pronunciation

Romanizationcheonmaneyo

Meaning

  • interjectionYou're welcome

Example

친구가 '도와줘서 고마워'라고 하자 나는 천만에요라고 대답했다.chin gu ga to wa jwo seo ko ma wo ra go ha ja na neun cheon ma ne yo ra go tae da paet tta

When my friend said, "Thanks for helping me," I replied, "You're welcome."

Illustration for 천만에요 (You're welcome)

More examples

가게 주인이 '도와주셔서 감사합니다'라고 하자 손님이 천만에요라고 답변했다.ka ge chu i ni to wa ju syeo seo kam sa ham ni da ra go ha ja son ni mi cheon ma ne yo ra go tap ppyeon haet tta

When the shop owner said, "Thank you for helping me," the customer replied, "You're welcome."

Core concept

A modest response that treats a helpful act as too small to deserve thanks.

Common phrases

  • 천만에요라고 하다cheon ma ne yo ra go ha da

    say you're welcome

  • 천만에요라고 답변하다cheon ma ne yo ra go tap ppyeon ha da

    reply you're welcome

Similar words

아니에요anieyo: A polite reply to gratitude that gently denies the thanks without further explanation.
괜찮아요kwaenchanayo: A friendly expression that assures someone that everything is fine.
별말씀을요pyeolmalsseumeuryo: A formal answer to gratitude that presents the kindness as nothing remarkable.
뭘요mworyo: A relaxed answer to gratitude that waves away the favor as no big deal.

Definition in Korean

누군가가 고마워할 때 자신의 행위를 대수롭지 않게 여기며 '괜찮다'고 겸손하게 부인하는 감탄사.nu gun ga ga ko ma wo hal ttae cha si nui haeng wi reul tae su rop jji an ke yeo gi myeo kwaen chan ta ko kyeom son ha ge pu in ha neun kam tan sa

Word origin

It is formed from 천만에 (cheonmane, "not at all") and 요 (yo, "polite ending"), creating a respectful way to deny that thanks are necessary.

Usage tips

  • In relaxed conversation, this expression may sound more formal, while a shorter reply is often more natural.

Word lists with this word