Grammar5 min read753 views
Saying Yes and No in Korean: It's More Complicated Than You Think
In Korean, yes and no don't work like in English. Here's why and how to answer correctly.
Published on February 10, 2026
The Korean Yes/No Trap
In English, "yes" confirms and "no" denies. In Korean, yes confirms the question and no contradicts it, even for negative questions.
Basic Words
| English | Korean | Romanization | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 네 | ne | Polite |
| Yes | 예 | ye | Formal |
| Yes | 응 | eung | Casual |
| No | 아니요 | aniyo | Polite |
| No | 아니 | ani | Casual |
The Negative Question Trap
In English:
"You don't like kimchi?" → "No" (= I don't like it)
In Korean:
"김치 안 좋아해요?" → "네" (= yes, you're correct, I don't like it)
네 (yes) = your question is correct and 아니요 (no) = your question is wrong.
Beyond Yes/No
| Korean | Meaning | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 맞아요 | That's right | Confirming a fact |
| 그래요 | That's so / Okay | Acceptance |
| 물론이죠 | Of course | Enthusiastic confirmation |
| 글쎄요 | Hmm... | Hesitation |
| 아마도요 | Maybe | Uncertainty |
💡 Koreans often say "네네네" (nenene) while listening — it doesn't mean "yes" but rather "I'm listening, go on."
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