How to say "Yes and no" in Korean

The natural way Koreans say "Yes and no" — with the polite form, close alternatives, and audio for every line.

When to use it

The trap is that Korean yes and no answer the question, not the fact. Ask 「You're not going?」 and 네 means「right, I'm not going」 - the opposite of English.

Polite form

• ▶
  네

  ne

  Use this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.

Other ways to say it

• ▶
  아니요

  aniyo

  = No

  Polite no. The casual form is 아니 (ani).
• ▶
  응

  eung

  = Yeah

  Casual yes. Between friends you will hear 응 far more than 네.
• ▶
  맞아요

  majayo

  = That's right

  When you want to confirm a fact rather than just answer.

In a sentence

• ▶
  안 가요? 네, 안 가요.

  an gayo? ne, an gayo.

  You're not going? Right, I'm not.
• ▶
  한국 사람이에요? 네, 맞아요.

  hanguk saramieyo? ne, majayo.

  Are you Korean? Yes, that's right.