What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the pronoun 'I' with a topic marker, the object 'BTS' with an object marker and the verb 'to like'. Specifically: 나 (na) is 'I', 는 (neun) is the topic marker, BTS is the object, 를 (reul) is the object marker and 좋아해요 (joahaeyo) is 'like'.
Which one should you use?
While 나는 BTS를 좋아해요 is a standard way to express this, you can change the subject to 저는 BTS를 좋아해요 to make the sentence more formal and respectful toward the listener. To express a stronger emotion, you can say BTS를 사랑합니다 to mean 'I love BTS'. If you want to express a softer or more uncertain feeling, you can say BTS를 좋아하는 거 같아, which means 'I feel like I like BTS'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the informal version, using the non-polite form 좋아해 instead of 좋아해요 makes the statement casual.
How do you pronounce it?
naneun BTSreul joahaeyo
Did you know?
- While 좋아해요 means 'like', Korean fans often use the slang term 입덕 (ip-deok) to describe the exact moment they first became a fan of BTS.
- The word 좋아해요 comes from the adjective 좋다 meaning 'to be good', meaning that to like something in Korean is literally to say it is 'good' to you.
- In Korean, if you are speaking to someone you want to show respect to, you would often drop the word 'I' altogether and simply say BTS를 좋아해요.
Examples in context
- 친구: "BTS 좋아해?" – 나: "응, BTS 좋아해!"Friend: "Do you like BTS?" – Me: "Yes, I like BTS!"
- 선생님: "BTS를 좋아합니까?" – 학생: "네, BTS를 좋아합니다."Teacher: "Do you like BTS?" – Student: "Yes, I like BTS."
- 나는 BTS를 좋아해요.naneun BTS-reul joahayo.I like BTS.
- 사실 나는 BTS를 좋아해요.sasir naneun BTS-reul joahayo.Actually, I like BTS.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their favorite music.
- 도현 Do-hyeon서연 씨는 어떤 가수를 좋아해요?Seoyeon ssi-neun eotteon gasu-reul joahaeyo?Seoyeon, which singer do you like?
- 서연 Seo-yeon나는 BTS를 좋아해요. 도현 씨는요?Naneun BTS-reul joahaeyo. Dohyeon ssi-neun-yo?I like BTS. How about you, Dohyun?
- 도현 Do-hyeon저도 BTS 노래를 자주 들어요.Jeodo BTS norae-reul jaju deureoyo.I also listen to BTS songs often.
- 서연 Seo-yeon정말요? 정말 반가워요!Jeongmallyo? Jeongmal ban-gawoyo!Really? I'm so glad to hear that!
