Korean · Real conversations
How to respond to “죄송해요.” in Korean
An apology can be acknowledged without a long discussion. Choose the reply that reflects how you actually feel.
What you might hear
죄송해요.joesonghaeyo.
I'm sorry.
Choose a reply that fits
괜찮아요.gwaenchanayo.
That's okay.
Use when you are comfortable reassuring the person.
신경 쓰지 마세요.singyeong sseuji maseyo.
Don't worry about it.
Suitable for a minor issue that needs no further action.
말해 줘서 고마워요.malhae jwoseo gomawoyo.
Thanks for telling me.
Acknowledge the explanation without declaring everything resolved.
사과해 줘서 고마워요.sagwahae jwoseo gomawoyo.
I appreciate your apology.
Recognize the apology while leaving room for a further conversation.
Two short exchanges
A minor inconvenience
죄송해요.joesonghaeyo.
I'm sorry.
괜찮아요.gwaenchanayo.
That's okay.
A more careful apology
불편을 드려서 죄송해요.bulpyeoneul deuryeoseo joesonghaeyo.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
신경 쓰지 마세요.singyeong sseuji maseyo.
Don't worry about it.
Your turn
Acknowledge that the person has explained what happened.
Reveal a sample reply
말해 줘서 고마워요.malhae jwoseo gomawoyo.
Thanks for telling me.
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.
