Korean grammar patterns › Level 3
-기는요
Not at all; what do you mean … (modest or mild denial)
Level 3 · TOPIK II · intermediate
How to use it
Repeats the other person's word to modestly deny a compliment or thanks, or to mildly disagree. Casual: -기는 / -긴.
Forming it
| 잘하다 | → 잘하기는요 |
| 예쁘다 | → 예쁘기는요 |
| 고맙다 | → 고맙기는요 |
Usually attaches to the bare stem even when the compliment was in the past (잘했어요 → 잘하기는요). Used as a disagreement it can sound blunt.
Examples
가: 한국어 정말 잘하시네요. 나: 잘하기는요. 아직 멀었어요.
A: Your Korean is really good. B: Not at all. I still have a long way to go.
고맙기는요. 친구끼리 당연히 도와야죠.
No need to thank me. Of course friends help each other.
Compared with similar patterns
-(으)ㄴ/는걸요 objects mildly by stating a contrary fact; -기는요 directly denies what was just said.