네 (ne) · 예 (ye)
Both 네 and 예 mean 'yes,' but 네 is used in casual and polite everyday contexts, while 예 is reserved for formal and official situations.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Casual and polite affirmative response
When to use
casual conversation, everyday affirmation, phone response, agreement to speaker
The nuance
네 is mainly used in everyday conversations or polite settings to express affirmation with friendliness or basic respect.
Formal and official affirmative response
When to use
formal setting, ceremonial speech, replying to superior, polite respect expression
The nuance
예 is mainly used in formal or official contexts to emphasize politeness and respect.
네, 알겠습니다.
ne, al-gess-seup-ni-da., ne, al gess seup ni da.
Appropriate affirmative response in a polite everyday situation.
예, 알겠습니다.
ye, al-gess-seup-ni-da., ye, al gess seup ni da.
Appropriate affirmative response in a formal, official situation.
전화 받았을 때 '네'라고 대답하는 것은 자연스럽다.
jeon-hwa bat-ass-eul ttae 'ne'ra-go dae-dap-ha-neun geos-eun ja-yeon-seu-reop-da., jeon hwa bat ass eul ttae 'ne'ra go dae dap ha neun geos eun ja yeon seu reop da.
네 is commonly used when answering the phone.
전화 받았을 때 '예'라고 대답하는 것은 부자연스럽다.
jeon-hwa bat-ass-eul ttae 'ye'ra-go dae-dap-ha-neun geos-eun bu-ja-yeon-seu-reop-da., jeon hwa bat ass eul ttae 'ye'ra go dae dap ha neun geos eun bu ja yeon seu reop da.
예 is too formal for phone answering; 네 is standard.
상사에게 '네'라고 대답하는 것은 적절하다.
sang-sa-e-ge 'ne'ra-go dae-dap-ha-neun geos-eun jeok-jeol-ha-da., sang sa e ge 'ne'ra go dae dap ha neun geos eun jeok jeol ha da.
네 is appropriate as a respectful response even to superiors.
상사에게 '예'라고 대답하는 것은 더 공손하다.
sang-sa-e-ge 'ye'ra-go dae-dap-ha-neun geos-eun deo gong-son-ha-da., sang sa e ge 'ye'ra go dae dap ha neun geos eun deo gong son ha da.
예 is a more formal and respectful expression.
친구에게 '예'라고 대답하는 것은 부자연스럽다.
chin-gu-e-ge 'ye'ra-go dae-dap-ha-neun geos-eun bu-ja-yeon-seu-reop-da., chin gu e ge 'ye'ra go dae dap ha neun geos eun bu ja yeon seu reop da.
예 is too formal and unnatural among friends.
친구에게 '네'라고 대답하는 것은 자연스럽다.
chin-gu-e-ge 'ne'ra-go dae-dap-ha-neun geos-eun ja-yeon-seu-reop-da., chin gu e ge 'ne'ra go dae dap ha neun geos eun ja yeon seu reop da.
네 is natural in casual conversations with friends.
Which expression is natural when answering the phone?
Appropriate affirmative response to a superior in a formal meeting?
Proper affirmative response to a friend’s question?
What does it mean?
