Korean · Real conversations
How to respond to “말씀을 정말 잘하시네요.” in Korean
A compliment about ability can be accepted without pretending that your work took no effort.
What you might hear
말씀을 정말 잘하시네요.malsseumeul jeongmal jalhasineyo.
You speak very well.
Choose a reply that fits
고마워요. 계속 연습하고 있어요.gomawoyo. gyesok yeonseuphago isseoyo.
Thank you. I've been practicing.
Acknowledge the compliment and your practice.
고마워요. 아직 배울 게 많아요.gomawoyo. ajik baeul ge manayo.
Thanks. I still have a lot to learn.
Accept while recognizing continued learning.
선생님이 많이 도와주셨어요.seonsaengnimi mani dowajusyeosseoyo.
My teacher helped me a lot.
Credit help you actually received.
도움이 됐다니 기뻐요.doumi dwaetdani gippeoyo.
I'm glad it was useful.
Use when the compliment concerns a useful explanation or task.
Two short exchanges
Speaking practice
말씀을 정말 잘하시네요.malsseumeul jeongmal jalhasineyo.
You speak very well.
고마워요. 계속 연습하고 있어요.gomawoyo. gyesok yeonseuphago isseoyo.
Thank you. I've been practicing.
A clear explanation
아주 이해하기 쉽게 설명하셨어요.aju ihaehagi swipge seolmyeonghasyeosseoyo.
You explained that very clearly.
고마워요. 아직 배울 게 많아요.gomawoyo. ajik baeul ge manayo.
Thanks. I still have a lot to learn.
Your turn
Credit a teacher who has helped you improve.
Reveal a sample reply
선생님이 많이 도와주셨어요.seonsaengnimi mani dowajusyeosseoyo.
My teacher helped me a lot.
This response guide in other languages
A note on speaking Korean
Most examples use polite 해요-style endings. A more formal ending may appear when addressing staff or making a careful request. Do not switch to casual speech with a stranger simply because the English translation sounds friendly.
Hangul is the main text; romanization helps you read along. Korean often leaves a clear subject unstated. Particles and endings carry information that English may express with separate words.
