알겠어 (al-gess-eo, algesseo) · 알았어 (al-ass-eo, alasseo)
알겠어 emphasizes understanding the meaning, while 알았어 is mainly used to acknowledge instructions or requests.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Used to express understanding of what someone said.
When to use
Understanding speech, Response to explanation, Emotional empathy
The nuance
Use when you clearly understand the speaker's explanation, intention, or feeling. Suitable to emphasize comprehension during conversation.
Mainly used to acknowledge instructions or requests.
When to use
Accepting instructions, Acknowledging requests, Ready to act
The nuance
Use to simply acknowledge demands, instructions, or requests, indicating readiness to act.
내일 9시에 회의 시작해. 알겠어?
nae-il 9si-e hoe-ui si-jak-hae. al-gess-eo?, nae il 9si e hoe ui si jak hae. al gess eo?
알겠어 is appropriate when asking if the explanation or instruction is understood.
내일 9시에 회의 시작해. 알았어.
nae-il 9si-e hoe-ui si-jak-hae. al-ass-eo., nae il 9si e hoe ui si jak hae. al ass eo.
알았어 naturally expresses acceptance of an instruction.
이 문제를 이렇게 풀어야 해. 알았어?
i mun-je-reul i-reoh-ge pul-eo-ya hae. al-ass-eo?, i mun je reul i reoh ge pul eo ya hae. al ass eo?
알았어 is inappropriate when asking about understanding a method; 알겠어 should be used.
이 문제를 이렇게 풀어야 해. 알겠어.
i mun-je-reul i-reoh-ge pul-eo-ya hae. al-gess-eo., i mun je reul i reoh ge pul eo ya hae. al gess eo.
알겠어 is correct to express understanding of an explanation.
내 부탁 들어줄래? 알겠어.
nae bu-tak deul-eo-jul-rae? al-gess-eo., nae bu tak deul eo jul rae? al gess eo.
알겠어 is incorrect here; 알았어 should be used to accept a request.
내 부탁 들어줄래? 알았어.
nae bu-tak deul-eo-jul-rae? al-ass-eo., nae bu tak deul eo jul rae? al ass eo.
알았어 fits well when accepting a request.
네가 화난 이유 알겠어.
ne-ga hwa-nan i-yu al-gess-eo., ne ga hwa nan i yu al gess eo.
알겠어 naturally expresses understanding someone's feelings.
네가 화난 이유 알았어.
ne-ga hwa-nan i-yu al-ass-eo., ne ga hwa nan i yu al ass eo.
알았어 is inappropriate to express emotional understanding; use 알겠어.
Which expression to use when asking if you understood someone's explanation?
What is the appropriate expression to acknowledge an instruction?
Which word to express understanding someone's feelings?
What does it mean?
