Easy Korean Level 10 - Unit 12: Advanced Situational Expressions (Responding to Compliments)

In the previous lesson, we learned how to give compliments. Now, how do you respond when someone compliments you?

In Korean culture, humility (겸손) is highly valued. If someone praises you and you say "네, 알아요" (Yes, I know) or just "감사합니다" (Thank you) without any humble deflection, it can sometimes come across as arrogant. Let's learn how to accept compliments gracefully!

1. Modest Denial: "No, not at all."

This is the most common and polite way to respond. - 아니에요. (No, it's not. / Not at all.) - 뭘요. (For what? / It's nothing.) - 과찬이십니다. (You are overpraising me. - Formal/Business)

2. Downplaying your skills: "I still have a long way to go."

When someone praises your abilities (like your Korean skills!). - 아직 멀었어요. (I still have a long way to go. / I'm not there yet.) - 아직 많이 부족합니다. (I am still lacking a lot.) - 운이 좋았을 뿐이에요. (I was just lucky.)

3. Sharing the Credit: "It's all thanks to..."

When someone praises your success, it's customary to share the glory. - 다 도와주신 덕분입니다. (It's all thanks to your help.) - 팀원들이 고생한 덕분이죠. (It's thanks to the hard work of the team members.) - 좋게 봐 주셔서 감사합니다. (Thank you for looking at it favorably / thinking highly of it.)

Example Dialogue

A: 수진 씨, 한국어를 어떻게 그렇게 잘하세요? 완전 원어민 같아요! 타고나셨네요. (Sujin, how do you speak Korean so well? You sound just like a native speaker! You're a natural.) B: 아니에요, 과찬이십니다. 아직 멀었어요. 매일 더 연습해야 돼요. (No, you're overpraising me. I still have a long way to go. I have to practice more every day.) A: 에이, 겸손하시기까지 하네요. (Aw, you're even humble.)