좋아해
joahae
The English phrase "crush kita" can be expressed in Korean as 좋아해 (joahae).
좋아해 is used to tell someone that you have a romantic attraction to them.
How do you pronounce it?
joahae
Did you know?
- In some social contexts, a person might avoid saying 좋아해 directly and instead ask 라면 먹고 갈래? (ramyeon meokgo gallae?), which means 'do you want to eat ramyeon before you go?' This is a coded invitation that implies romantic interest.
- While 좋아해 means 'I like you', Koreans often use the word 썸 (sseom), derived from the English 'something', to describe the ambiguous stage of flirting before the official confession happens.
- Couples often celebrate their 100일 (baek-il), or 100th day, after the first 좋아해 is exchanged. This is a major milestone that often involves gifts and dates, whereas English speakers typically wait for a full year.
Examples in context
- 너하고 연애하고 싶어요.I want to date you.
- 나 너 좋아해.I like you.
- 사실 너를 좋아해.sasil neoreul joahae.Actually, I like you.
- 오랫동안 너를 좋아해 왔어.oraetdongan neoreul joahae wasseo.I have liked you for a long time.
Example conversation
Subin confesses her feelings to Dohyun at a park.
- 수빈 Su-bin도현아, 나 사실 너 좋아해.Dohyeon-a, na sasil neo joahae.Dohyun, actually, I like you.
- 도현 Do-hyeon정말? 나도 너 좋아해.jeongmal? nado neo joahae.Really? I like you too.
- 수빈 Su-bin진심이야?jinsim-iya?Are you serious?
- 도현 Do-hyeon응, 진심이야.eung, jinsim-iya.Yes, I'm serious.
