당신을 정말 좋아해요
dangsin-eul jeongmal joh-ahae-yo
The English phrase "I adore you" is translated into Korean as 당신을 정말 좋아해요 (dangsin-eul jeongmal joh-ahae-yo).
This phrase is used to tell someone that you love or like them very much. While it expresses deep affection, the use of the pronoun 당신 (dangsin) means it is most naturally used in written contexts, such as letters or songs or between spouses, rather than in everyday spoken conversation with strangers.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb 좋아해요 (joh-ahae-yo) means "to like" or "to love". In Korean, this verb is often used to express strong affection or adoration in a way that feels less heavy than the specific word for romantic "love" (사랑해요).
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle 을 (eul) attached to 당신 (dangsin) is an object marker that identifies "you" as the object of the affection being expressed.
How do you pronounce it?
dangsin-eul jeongmal joh-ahae-yo
Did you know?
- If you use the word 당신 (dangsin) to a stranger in a restaurant, it might sound like a confrontation or a challenge rather than a compliment.
- The word 정말 (jeongmal) literally translates to 'correct word'.
- The verb 좋아해요 is based on the adjective 좋다 (to be good), meaning that when you adore someone in Korean, you are essentially saying they are 'good'.
Examples in context
- 전 당신을 정말 좋아해요.jeon dang-sin-eul jeong-mal jo-a-hae-yo.I really adore you.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Minji are taking a walk in a park.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo민지 씨, 사실 드릴 말씀이 있어요.Minji ssi, sasil deuril malsseumi isseoyo.Minji, actually, there is something I want to tell you.
- 민지 Min-ji무슨 일이에요, 현우 씨?museun irieyo, Hyunwoo ssi?What is it, Hyunwoo?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo저는 당신을 정말 좋아해요.jeoneun dangsin-eul jeongmal joahaeyo.I really adore you.
- 민지 Min-ji저도 현우 씨를 정말 좋아해요.jeodo Hyunwoo ssi-reul jeongmal joahaeyo.I really like you too, Hyunwoo.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 정말, CC BY-SA 4.0.
