Is ‘gamsahamnida’ more polite than ‘gomapseumnida’?

The National Institute of Korean Language's Online 가나다 service says either expression can be used when you receive kindness or help. ‘Gomapda’ (고맙다) is native Korean, while ‘gamsahada’ (감사하다) adds ‘-hada’ (하다) to the Sino-Korean word ‘gamsa’ (감사, 感謝).

Politeness is set by the ending, not the word. ‘Gamsahamnida’ sounds more formal than ‘gomawoyo’ (고마워요) because of the endings ‘-eoyo’ (-어요) and ‘-seumnida’ (-습니다). ‘Gomapseumnida’ and ‘gamsahamnida’ both end in ‘-seumnida,’ so their level of respect is the same.

In November 2025, Dong-A Ilbo reported on a business owner who thanked a customer with ‘gomapseumnida’ and was told it was rude: ‘I'm not your friend or your junior.’ Citing the National Institute of Korean Language, the article explained that both are polite greetings, whatever the speakers' ranks.

The idea that ‘gomapseumnida’ is for people below you is a common misconception. It seems to come from the fact that many people feel Sino-Korean words sound more formal.

In 2005, the Institute's newsletter Sae Gugeo Sosik said that, if one had to draw a line, ‘gamsahada’ suits formal speech while ‘gomapda’ fits friendly, softer speech. It added that neither word should be avoided. In practice, people do tend to say ‘gamsahamnida’ more often to someone senior.

For example, ‘gamsahamnida’ may sound more natural at a job interview, and ‘gomapseumnida’ when a senior friend buys you coffee. Neither is wrong.

This also helps explain why broadcast presenters often close with ‘gomapseumnida.’ Asked about a subway notice, the National Institute of Korean Language recommended ‘Sonnim, gomapseumnida’ (손님, 고맙습니다; ‘Thank you, passengers’), and Online 가나다 answers usually end with ‘gomapseumnida.’ On Hangul Day, the Institute has even hung a banner reading ‘Hangul, gomapseumnida’ on its building.

Whether at a shop counter or in a work email, if you finish with ‘-seumnida,’ either choice is polite.