Survival KoreanLanguage
괜찮아요 (gwaenchanayo) — It's okay / I'm fine
Say gwaenchanayo when someone apologizes or checks on you.
It's okay / I'm fineReply to an apologyPolite form of 괜찮다Updated Oct 20, 2026
Study tools for this phrase
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Easy Korean Reading For Beginners (TTMIK)
30 short everyday texts (cooking, buses, convenience stores, birthdays) with full English translation, word lists and grammar notes.
What it means
괜찮아요 (gwaenchanayo) is the polite form of 괜찮다. The Basic Korean Dictionary lists three senses: “nice; fine” (꽤 좋다), “all right; fine” (별 문제가 없다) and “okay” (걱정되거나 문제될 것이 없어 허락할 수 있다). Say it as “gwen-chan-a-yo.”
When to use it
Use it to answer an apology (“It's okay”) or “Are you alright?” (“I'm fine”). With a question tone, 괜찮아요? asks “Are you okay?”
Watch the tone
Because the dictionary senses cover “fine” and “okay (allowed),” the meaning depends on context, so a smile and a gesture help avoid confusion.
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