Say I Love You in Korean
The simplest way to say “I love you” in Korean is “saranghae,” but there are a few other expressions you can use to convey your affection, as well. Here are a few phrases that may be helpful for you to know.
Contents
Steps
Direct Ways to Say "I Love You"
- State "saranghae" or "saranghaeyo" or "saranghamnida" Use this phrase to tell someone “I love you” in Korean.
- Pronounce the phrase as sah-rahn-gh-aee yoh.
- In Hangul, “saranghae” is written as, 사랑해 and “saranghaeyo” is written as 사랑해요.”
- “Saranghae” is a fairly casual way to say “I love you”, “saranghaeyo” is a formal way to express the same sentiment, "saranghamnida" is the most formal way to say it.
- Say "nee-ga jo-ah." Use this phrase to tell someone “I like you” in a romantic sense.
- Pronounce the phrase as nae-ga jo-ha.
- To write this expression in Hangul, write, 네가 좋아.
- The phrase translates fairly literally to “I like you.” This particular expression would only be used in casual settings, however, and only in a romantic context.
- Be formal with "dang-shin-ee jo-ah-yo." This phrase should also be used to tell someone “I like you” in a romantic sense.
- Pronounce the phrase as dahng-shin-ee joh-ah-yoh.
- This expression should be written in Hangul as, 당신이 좋아요.
- This phrase translates closely to “I like you,” but in particular, it would be used to indicate a higher level of respect or formality. It would also only be used in a romantic context.
Other Sayings that Express Love
- Declare "dang-shin-upsshi motsal-ah-yo." This is a formal way to express how much you need the person listening in your life.
- Pronounce the expression as dahng-shin-ups-shee moht-sahl-ah-yoh.
- Translated approximately, this phrase means, "I can't live without you."
- In Hangul, this expression is written as, 당신없이 못 살아요.
- A more informal way of saying this would be "nuh-upsshi motsarah," or 너없이 못살아.
- Let someone special know, "nuh-bak-eh upss-uh." Use this phrase to tell someone that he or she is one of a kind.
- Pronounce the expression as nuh-bahk-eh uhps-uh.
- A rough translation of this phrase would be, "There's no one like you."
- To write this expression in Hangul, write, 너밖에 없어.
- A more formal way to express the same sentiment would be, “"dang-shin-bak-eh upss-uh-yo," or 당신밖에 없어요.
- Firmly say "gatchi itgo shipuh." This simple phrase lets the other person know that you want to be romantically linked to him or her.
- Pronounce the phrase as gaht-chee it-goh shi-puh.
- Translated in a fairly direct way, this phrase means "I want to be with you."
- This expression should be written in Hangul as, 같이 있고 싶어.
- To make this expression more formal, say, “"gatchi itgo shipuhyo," or 같이 있고 싶어요.
- Ask someone out with "na-rang sa-gweel-lae?" This is a standard question to use when you want to ask someone to go steady.
- Pronounce the question as nah-rahng sah-gweel-laee.
- Approximately translated, it means, "Will you go out with me?"
- Write this question in Hangul as, 나랑 사귈래?
- If you want to ask this question in a more formal way, ask, "juh-rang sa-gweel-lae-yo?" or 저랑 사귈래요?
- Propose marriage with"na-rang gyul-hon-hae joo-lae?" If things get serious and you want to "pop the question," this is the question needing to be popped.
- Pronounce the question as nah-rahng ge-yool-hohn-haee joo-laee.
- This phrase roughly means "will you marry me?"
- Write this question in Hangul as, 나랑 결혼해 줄래?
- A more formal way to pop the question would be to ask, "jeo-rang gyul-hon-hae joo-lae-yo?" or 저랑 결혼해 줄래요?
Related Phrases
- Tell someone "bo-go-shi-peo-yo."Use this phrase to tell someone that you miss him or her.
- Pronounce the expression as boh-goh-shee-poh-yeo.
- A more direct way to translate this phrase would be, "I want to see you."
- In Hangul, this expression is written as, 보고 싶어요.”
- A more casual way to say the same sentiment would be to drop the "yo" or 요 from the end of the phrase.
- Let a girl know, "ah-reum-da-wo." This is a good way to compliment a girl or woman you are fond of.
- Pronounce the expression as ah-ree-oom-dah-woh.
- This phrase roughly means, “You're beautiful.”
- To write this expression in Hangul, write, 아름다워.
- Let a guy know, "neun-jal saeng-gingeoya." This is a good way to compliment a guy you are fond of.
- Pronounce the expression as nee-oon-jahl saeeng-gin-goh-yah.
- This phrase roughly means, “You're handsome.”
- This expression should be written in Hangul as, 넌 잘 생긴 거야.
- Playfully say, "Choo-wo. Ahn-ah-jwo!" Use this expression when you want to embrace your loved one.
- Pronounce this expression as choo-woh ahn-ah-jwoh.
- Translated in a fairly direct way, this phrase means, "I'm cold. Hug me!"
- "Choo-wo" means "I'm cold."
- "Ahn-ah-jwo!" means "Hug me!"
- Write the Hangul for this expression as, 추워. 안아줘!
- Keep someone by your side by saying "narang gatchi eessuh." This phrase should be used when you want to stop someone from going home or leaving you have a romantic evening.
- Translated in a fairly direct way, it means, "Stay with me."
- Write the Hangul for this phrase as 나랑 같이 있어.
