How to Say “Got It” in Korean: 알았어 (arasseo)
“Arasseo” means “got it” / “okay” — you understood and you’ll do it. It’s the casual acknowledgment you give a friend.
“Arasseo” means “got it” / “okay” — you understood and you’ll do it. It’s the casual acknowledgment you give a friend.
알았어 (arasseo) — got it / okay
How it feels and when to use it
Past-tense in form (“I knew/understood”) but used for present agreement. Polite “arasseoyo,” formal “algesseumnida.” In the army or service jobs you’ll hear a sharp “algesseumnida!”
Politeness levels
- 알았어 (arasseo) — Casual (반말): with close friends and people younger than you
- 알았어요 (arasseoyo) — Polite (해요체): the safe everyday level for most people
- 알겠습니다 (algesseumnida) — Formal (합쇼체): in business, announcements, and to elders
Real examples from native Korean
Here’s how native speakers actually use 알았어 in real Korean:
- 알겠습니다 — Okay
- 알겠습니다. — Thank you.
- 알았어 알았어 — Calm down
A common mistake to avoid
“Arasseo” can sound curt — Said flatly or repeated (“arasseo, arasseo”), it can read as annoyed — like “yeah, yeah, I get it.” Soften it with tone or use “arasseoyo” to stay friendly.
Related expressions
- 알겠습니다 (algesseumnida) — understood (formal)
- 몰라 (molla) — I don’t know
Want to hear 알았어 spoken by real Koreans? Search it on Langle and watch it across dozens of real video clips.
Frequently asked questions
- What does “알았어” mean in Korean?
- “Arasseo” means “got it” / “okay” — you understood and you’ll do it. It’s the casual acknowledgment you give a friend. It’s romanized as “arasseo.”
- Is “알았어” formal or casual?
- “알았어” is casual (반말); “알았어요” is polite (해요체); “알겠습니다” is formal (합쇼체). Match the level to who you’re talking to.
- How do you pronounce “알았어”?
- It’s pronounced “arasseo.” “Arasseo” can sound curt: Said flatly or repeated (“arasseo, arasseo”), it can read as annoyed — like “yeah, yeah, I get it.” Soften it with tone or use “arasseoyo” to stay friendly.
- When should I use “알았어”?
- Past-tense in form (“I knew/understood”) but used for present agreement. Polite “arasseoyo,” formal “algesseumnida.” In the army or service jobs you’ll hear a sharp “algesseumnida!”
- What can I say instead of “알았어”?
- Try “알겠습니다” (understood (formal)) or “몰라” (I don’t know).