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Agreeing: 'That's right': 맞아요

Keywords
맞아요
Lesson #
S
Done
Section
Basic Speaking
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TL;DR 🦄
  • ✅ 맞아요 [ma-ja-yo] — "That's right" / "Correct" (polite, everyday)
  • 👍 맞아 [ma-ja] — "Right" / "Yep" (casual, close friends)
  • 🎩 맞습니다 [mat-sseum-ni-da] — "That is correct" (formal)
  • 💡 그렇네요 [geu-reon-ne-yo] — "Oh, that's true!" (realization)
  • 🙋 인정 [in-jeong] — "I admit it" / "Fair point" (slang)
🔊
🎧 Iru Helper Note — Head to the Korean Helper Widgets and listen to today's phrases at natural speed. 맞아요! 맞아! 맞습니다! 그렇네요! [ma-ja-yo! ma-ja! mat-sseum-ni-da! geu-reon-ne-yo!] — notice how the tone rises with sincerity. 🌟
 

🌈 The Big Picture

맞다 [mat-da] means "to be correct" or "to be right" — it's how Koreans confirm that a statement, fact, or guess is accurate. It's different from agreeing with someone's opinion (동의해요) — 맞아요 is for confirming facts: "Yes, that's correct," "Yes, that's exactly it." Mastering this one word will make your conversations feel instantly more responsive and engaged. ✅

🎯 Degrees of Agreement

The right level of 맞아요 depends on who you're talking to and how strongly you want to agree:
  • 맞아 [ma-ja] — casual, with close friends or people younger/same age 👫
  • 맞아요 [ma-ja-yo] — the everyday polite default 🙂
  • 맞습니다 [mat-sseum-ni-da] — formal, for work or strangers 🎩
  • 완전 맞아요 [wan-jeon ma-ja-yo] — "Totally right!" — adds enthusiasm 🔥
  • 인정 [in-jeong] — "I admit it" — slang for conceding a point 😅

🧳 Essential Phrase Kit

  • 맞아요 [ma-ja-yo] — That's right / Correct ✅
  • 맞아 [ma-ja] — Right / Yep (casual) 👍
  • 맞습니다 [mat-sseum-ni-da] — That is correct (formal) 🎩
  • 네, 맞아요 [ne, ma-ja-yo] — Yes, that's right
  • 어, 맞다! [eo, mat-da] — Oh, right! (sudden realization) 💡
  • 완전 맞아요 [wan-jeon ma-ja-yo] — Totally right / Exactly 🔥
  • 정확해요 [jeong-hwa-kae-yo] — That's exact / precise 🎯
  • 맞고요 [mat-go-yo] — Right, and (also)...
  • 인정 [in-jeong] — I admit it / Fair point 🙋
  • 바로 그거예요 [ba-ro geu-geo-ye-yo] — That's exactly it 🎯

🛠️ Putting It Together

A: 오늘 진짜 춥죠? B: 맞아요, 완전 추워요! [A: o-neul jin-jja chup-jyo? B: ma-ja-yo, wan-jeon chu-wo-yo!]
A: "It's really cold today, right?" B: "That's right, it's so cold!" 🥶 — a quick, polite confirmation of an obvious fact.
A: 이거 김 작가님이 쓴 책이죠? B: 맞아요! 어떻게 아셨어요? [A: i-geo gim jak-ga-ni-mi sseun chae-gi-jyo? B: ma-ja-yo! eo-tteo-ke a-syeo-sseo-yo?]
A: "This is the book written by writer Kim, right?" B: "That's right! How did you know?" 📖 — 맞아요! here shows pleasant surprise that the guess was correct.
A: 우리 내일 9시에 만나는 거 맞죠? B: 네, 맞아요. 9시에 카페 앞에서요. [A: u-ri nae-il a-hop-si-e man-na-neun geo mat-jyo? B: ne, ma-ja-yo. a-hop-si-e ka-pe a-pe-seo-yo.]
A: "We're meeting at 9 tomorrow, right?" B: "Yes, that's right. At 9 in front of the cafe." 📅 — 맞죠? asks for confirmation, and 네, 맞아요 confirms it warmly.

🗣️ Speaking Practice: Mini Dialogue

Read both roles out loud, then switch roles!
민수: 지은 씨, 이 영화 진짜 재미있다고 들었는데 맞아요?
[Minsu: ji-eun ssi, i yeong-hwa jin-jja jae-mi-it-da-go deu-reon-neun-de ma-ja-yo?]
Minsu: "Jieun, I heard this movie is really fun — is that right?"
지은: 네, 맞아요! 저도 어제 봤는데 진짜 재미있었어요.
[Jieun: ne, ma-ja-yo! jeo-do eo-je bwa-sseun-de jin-jja jae-mi-i-sseo-sseo-yo.]
Jieun: "Yes, that's right! I watched it yesterday too, and it was really fun."
민수: 그렇네요! 그럼 우리도 이번 주말에 봐요.
[Minsu: geu-reon-ne-yo! geu-reom u-ri-do i-beon ju-ma-re bwa-yo.]
Minsu: "I see! Then let's watch it this weekend too."
지은: 좋아요! 그런데 표가 매진됐다고 하던데...
[Jieun: jo-a-yo! geu-reon-de pyo-ga mae-jin-dwaet-da-go ha-deon-de...]
Jieun: "Sounds good! But I heard the tickets are sold out..."
민수: 어, 맞다! 미리 예매해야 되겠네요.
[Minsu: eo, mat-da! mi-ri ye-mae-hae-ya doe-gen-ne-yo.]
Minsu: "Oh, right! We should book in advance."
지은: 인정! 요즘 인기 많은 영화는 다 그래요.
[Jieun: in-jeong! yo-jeum in-gi ma-neun yeong-hwa-neun da geu-rae-yo.]
Jieun: "Fair point! All popular movies are like that these days."

🧭 Speaking Tip

A small nod while saying 맞아요 makes it feel sincere instead of robotic. And don't be afraid to say it twice for emphasis — 맞아요, 맞아요! [ma-ja-yo, ma-ja-yo!] is a very natural way to show "Yes, exactly, you're so right!" ✅

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

❌ Confusing 맞다 (to be correct) with 맡다 (to take on / to smell) → ✅ They look similar in writing but sound and mean completely different things — context makes it clear.
❌ Saying 맞아 to an elder, boss, or stranger → ✅ Too casual — use 맞아요 or 맞습니다 in those situations.
❌ Using 맞아요 to agree with someone's opinion → ✅ For opinions, use 그렇죠 or 저도 그렇게 생각해요 — 맞아요 is for confirming facts.
❌ Sprinkling 인정 into formal writing or work emails → ✅ It's casual slang — keep it for friendly chats and texting.
Great job — you can now confirm and agree with confidence using 맞아요! ✅✨
 
Try this exercise
Instructions: Choose the best word or phrase for each situation.
1. Your friend guesses correctly that you're from Busan. Confirm it: ＿＿＿＿!
Answer
맞아요 [ma-ja-yo] → "That's right!"
2. Talking to your close friend, agree casually: ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
맞아 [ma-ja] → "Right" / "Yep" — casual form.
3. In a formal business meeting, confirm a fact: ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
맞습니다 [mat-sseum-ni-da] → "That is correct" — formal.
4. Suddenly you remember you forgot your umbrella: 어, ＿＿＿＿!
Answer
맞다 [mat-da] → "Oh, right!" — sudden realization.
5. True or False: 맞아요 can be used to agree with someone's personal opinion.
Answer
False → 맞아요 confirms facts; use 그렇죠 or 저도 그렇게 생각해요 for opinions.
6. Add enthusiasm to your agreement: ＿＿＿＿ 맞아요!
Answer
완전 [wan-jeon] → "Totally right!"
7. Translate: "That's exact / precise." ＿＿＿＿
Answer
정확해요 [jeong-hwa-kae-yo]
8. Casually concede your friend made a good point: ＿＿＿＿!
Answer
인정 [in-jeong] → "I admit it / Fair point!"
9. True or False: 맞아 is appropriate to say to your boss.
Answer
False → too casual; use 맞아요 or 맞습니다 with superiors.
10. Practice saying this out loud: 네, 맞아요. 바로 그거예요! [ne, ma-ja-yo. ba-ro geu-geo-ye-yo!]
Answer
"Yes, that's right. That's exactly it!" → A confident, complete confirmation!
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Vocabulary Box
  • 맞아요 [ma-ja-yo] → that's right / correct
  • 맞아 [ma-ja] → right / yep (casual)
  • 맞습니다 [mat-sseum-ni-da] → that is correct (formal)
  • 네, 맞아요 [ne, ma-ja-yo] → yes, that's right
  • 어, 맞다! [eo, mat-da] → oh, right!
  • 완전 맞아요 [wan-jeon ma-ja-yo] → totally right
  • 정확해요 [jeong-hwa-kae-yo] → exact / precise
  • 맞고요 [mat-go-yo] → right, and...
  • 인정 [in-jeong] → I admit it / fair point
  • 바로 그거예요 [ba-ro geu-geo-ye-yo] → that's exactly it
Pitfalls 💡
  • 맞아요 = facts, not opinions
  • 맞아 = casual only
  • 인정 = slang, avoid formal use
🚀
Want more reps? Visit the Practice Hub when you're ready! 🚀
 
📦
🎯 Practice Hub — Agreeing: 'That's right' (맞아요)
안녕하세요! [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo] Let's practice confirming and agreeing! ✅✨
🔊 Audio reminder: Use the Korean Helper Widgets to hear any phrase.

Exercise 1 — Pick the Right Form 🎯

A. Talking to a close friend, agree casually: ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
맞아 [ma-ja] → "Right" / "Yep."
B. Talking to a stranger at a store, agree politely: ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
맞아요 [ma-ja-yo] → "That's right."
C. In a formal report, confirm a figure is correct: ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
맞습니다 [mat-sseum-ni-da] → "That is correct."
D. True or False: 맞아요 and 그래요 mean exactly the same thing.
Answer
False → 맞아요 confirms correctness; 그래요 reacts to news ("Is that so?").
E. Translate: "Totally right!" ＿＿＿＿
Answer
완전 맞아요 [wan-jeon ma-ja-yo]
F. Your friend reminds you of an appointment you forgot: 어, ＿＿＿＿!
Answer
맞다 [mat-da] → "Oh, right!"
G. Translate: "That's exactly it." ＿＿＿＿
Answer
바로 그거예요 [ba-ro geu-geo-ye-yo]
H. Casually admit your friend has a point: ＿＿＿＿!
Answer
인정 [in-jeong] → "Fair point!"
I. True or False: 맞아 is fine to use with your grandmother.
Answer
False → too casual; use 맞아요 or 맞습니다.
J. Translate: "That's exact / precise." ＿＿＿＿
Answer
정확해요 [jeong-hwa-kae-yo]
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Quick Reference:
  • Casual → 맞아
  • Polite → 맞아요
  • Formal → 맞습니다
  • Realization → 어, 맞다!

Exercise 2 — Fill in the Blank: Confirm It! 💬

A. A: 이 버스가 시청 가는 거 맞죠? B: 네, ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
맞아요 [ma-ja-yo] → "Yes, that's right."
B. A: 오늘 회의 3시죠? B: ＿＿＿＿. 3시에 시작합니다.
Answer
맞습니다 [mat-sseum-ni-da] → formal confirmation.
C. A: 너 어제 생일이었지? B: 어, ＿＿＿＿! 깜빡했지?
Answer
맞아 [ma-ja] → "Right!" (casual)
D. True or False: 맞고요 can be used to add another point after agreeing.
Answer
True → "Right, and also..."
E. A: 이 식당 진짜 맛있다고 했잖아요. B: ＿＿＿＿! 완전 맛있어요.
Answer
맞아요 [ma-ja-yo] → "That's right!"
F. A: 김 부장님이 내일 출장 가신다고 들었는데... B: ＿＿＿＿. 정확한 정보예요.
Answer
맞습니다 [mat-sseum-ni-da] → formal confirmation of info.
G. A: 너 운동 좋아한다고 했지? B: ＿＿＿＿! 그리고 요리도 좋아해.
Answer
맞아, 맞고 [ma-ja, mat-go] → "Right, and..."
H. True or False: 정확해요 only means "correct," never "precise."
Answer
False → it covers both "correct" and "precise."
I. A: 우리 그때 약속한 카페가 여기 아니었어요? B: ＿＿＿＿, 바로 여기예요!
Answer
맞아요 [ma-ja-yo] → "That's right, this is exactly it!"
J. Practice saying this out loud: 어, 맞다! 우리 내일 시험 있잖아요! [eo, mat-da! u-ri nae-il si-heom it-jan-a-yo!]
Answer
"Oh, right! We have a test tomorrow!" → realization + reminder.
📚
Quick Rule — Match the Context:
  • Confirming facts → 맞아요/맞습니다
  • Sudden realization → 어, 맞다!
  • Conceding a point → 인정
  • Adding more → 맞고요

Exercise 3 — Mix It All Together 🗣️

A. Your coworker says you both met at a conference last year. Confirm warmly: ＿＿＿＿!
Answer
맞아요! 거기서 만났죠. [ma-ja-yo! geo-gi-seo man-nat-jyo.] → "That's right! We met there."
B. Fill in: A: 이거 작년에 산 가방 아니에요? B: ＿＿＿＿, 어떻게 기억해요?
Answer
맞아요 [ma-ja-yo] → "That's right, how do you remember?"
C. True or False: It's natural to say 맞아요, 맞아요! twice for extra emphasis.
Answer
True → repeating shows enthusiastic agreement.
D. Translate: "I admit it, you were right." (casual) ＿＿＿＿
Answer
인정, 네가 맞았어. [in-jeong, ne-ga ma-ja-sseo.]
E. Your boss double-checks a number with you in a meeting. Confirm formally: ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
맞습니다. [mat-sseum-ni-da.] → "That is correct."
F. A: 이거 한국에서 만든 제품 맞나요? B: ＿＿＿＿, 한국 제품입니다.
Answer
맞습니다 [mat-sseum-ni-da] → formal confirmation.
G. True or False: 맞아요 is the right response if a friend shares their opinion about a movie and you simply agree with their taste.
Answer
False → for opinions, use 그렇죠/저도 그렇게 생각해요; 맞아요 is for facts.
H. Fill in: A: 우리 회의실이 3층 맞죠? B: 네, ＿＿＿＿. 3층이에요.
Answer
맞아요 [ma-ja-yo] → "Yes, that's right."
I. Translate: "Oh, right! I forgot my password again." ＿＿＿＿
Answer
어, 맞다! 비밀번호 또 까먹었어요. [eo, mat-da! bi-mil-beon-ho tto kka-meo-geo-sseo-yo.]
J. Practice saying this out loud: 맞아요, 맞아요! 바로 그거예요! 정확해요! [ma-ja-yo, ma-ja-yo! ba-ro geu-geo-ye-yo! jeong-hwa-kae-yo!]
Answer
"That's right, that's right! That's exactly it! Precisely!" → maximum agreement energy!
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Everyday Cheat Sheet:
  • 맞아요 = "That's right" (facts)
  • 맞습니다 = formal version
  • 어, 맞다! = "Oh, right!" (realization)
  • 인정 = "I admit it" (slang)
  • 그렇죠 = for opinions, not facts
🎉 잘했어요! [jal-haess-eo-yo] You can now confirm and agree with confidence using 맞아요! ✅✨