“Not at all” in Korean: 별말씀을요 (byeolmalsseumeuryo)

별말씀을요

byeolmalsseumeuryo

Situation: Greetings & basicsLevel: Advanced (TOPIK 5–6)

Meaning

Not at all.

A modest reply to thanks or praise, as if saying “please, don’t mention it.”

Romanization follows the Revised Romanization system and is a guide to pronunciation.

Use it to wave off thanks, an apology or a compliment humbly, like “don’t mention it.” It suits elders, clients and coworkers.

It is a response, not an opener, and it sounds a little formal among friends, who say 아니야 or 괜찮아. The everyday version is 아니에요.

Syllables: 5 · Words: 1

In natural speech, sounds link and shift across words. The table below reads each word separately, as it sounds when said on its own.

Syllable	Letters (consonant + vowel + final)	Romanization
별	ㅂ+ㅕ+ㄹ	byeol
말	ㅁ+ㅏ+ㄹ	mal
씀	ㅆ+ㅡ+ㅁ	sseum
을	ㅇ+ㅡ+ㄹ	eul
요	ㅇ+ㅛ	yo

A ㅇ at the start of a syllable is silent; at the end of a syllable it sounds like “ng”.

Style: Polite (해요체)Sentence type: Statement or set phrase

Ends in -요. The everyday polite style, and a safe choice with shop staff, colleagues, strangers and anyone older than you.

Test yourself before you move on. Tap an answer.

Question 1 What does “별말씀을요” mean?

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Answer: Not at all

Question 2 How do you say “Not at all” in Korean?

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Answer: 별말씀을요 byeolmalsseumeuryo

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