천만에요.

When to use

This is the most common response when someone thanks you. It is polite and widely understood, though less common in very formal settings than other options.

Speech Level

The '-요' ending makes this phrase polite but less formal than '-ㅂ니다/-습니다'. It is suitable for everyday interactions with people you know or in casual polite settings.

How it works

This phrase is composed of a noun, a particle, and a polite ending. The subject (you) and object (my thanks) are omitted.

• 천만: Sino-Korean noun meaning 'ten million'.
• -에: Particle often used for location or time, here used idiomatically.
• -요: Polite sentence ending, adding a soft tone.

Word Origin

The phrase literally translates to 'ten million'. It is an idiomatic way of saying that even if the person thanked you ten million times, it would not be necessary, implying the favor was no trouble at all.

Notes

A standard, polite reply to 'thank you'.