잘 자 내 사랑
jal ja nae sarang
The English phrase "good night my love" is translated into Korean as 잘 자 내 사랑 (jal ja nae sarang).
This phrase is a romantic expression used to wish a partner or a loved one a peaceful sleep.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 잘 (well), 자 (sleep – imperative form), 내 (my) and 사랑 (love).
Which one should you use?
While 잘 자 내 사랑 is a specific romantic declaration, the phrase 잘 자요 is a more general way to say "sleep well" to someone you are close to while still maintaining a level of politeness.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
If you wish to be more polite, you can use 잘 자요 내 사랑, though the addition of the suffix -요 to 자 makes it more polite while remaining intimate because of the use of "my love".
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the suffix -요 to 자 makes the phrase more polite.
How do you pronounce it?
jal ja nae sarang
Did you know?
- In Korean culture, romantic partners often use cute, shortened versions of words known as 'aegyo' to sound more affectionate. A partner might soften 잘 자 by stretching the final vowel to make it sound more playful.
- In modern Korean digital culture, couples often replace the phrase 잘 자 with the abbreviation 'ㅈㅈ' in text messages to convey the same meaning quickly.
- While 사랑 means 'love' as a noun, it is rarely used as a direct address like 'my love' in everyday spoken Korean. It is far more common in written letters, lyrics and poetry than in casual conversation.
Examples in context
- 잘 자 내 사랑.jal ja nae sarang.Good night, my love.
- 꿈속에서 만나, 잘 자 내 사랑.kkumsogeseo manna, jal ja nae sarang.Meet me in your dreams, good night my love.
- 오늘도 고생했어. 잘 자 내 사랑.oneuldo gosaenghaesseo. jal ja nae sarang.You did great today. Good night my love.
Example conversation
A couple is saying goodbye over the phone before sleeping.
- 수빈 Su-bin이제 자야겠다. 잘 자 내 사랑.ije jajaya-getda. jal ja nae sarang.I should go to sleep now. Good night my love.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo응, 수빈아 너도 잘 자.eung, subin-a neodo jal ja.Yeah, good night to you too, Subin.
- 수빈 Su-bin현우도 좋은 꿈 꿔.hyeonudo joeun kkum kkwo.Have sweet dreams too, Hyeonwoo.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo사랑해, 내일 연락할게.saranghae, naeil yeonrak-halge.I love you, I will call you tomorrow.
