좋아해요
joahaeyo
The English phrase "I like" is expressed in Korean as 좋아해요 (joahaeyo).
This phrase is used to express that you enjoy or have a positive feeling toward someone or something.
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between the verb 좋아해요 and the adjective 좋아요. While 좋아해요 means "I like [something]", the adjective 좋아요 means "[Something] is good" or "[Something] is liked".
How does it change in a sentence?
For higher formality, use 좋아합니다 and for informal situations, use 좋아해.
How do you pronounce it?
joahaeyo
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use 좋아요 (meaning "is good") when they want to express their personal preference. To say that you personally like something, you should use 좋아해요 instead.
Did you know?
- In Korean, the phrase 좋아해요 is frequently used to confess romantic love. When someone says this to a crush, it is understood as 'I like you' in a romantic sense rather than just a platonic preference.
- While 좋아해요 is a general term for liking, Koreans use the word 덕후 to describe someone who likes something with an obsessive, fanatical passion. This word is derived from the Japanese otaku.
- Korean often omits the subject 'I' entirely because it is implied by context. Saying 좋아해요 on its own is a complete and natural sentence that means 'I like it'.
Examples in context
- 가을을 제일 좋아해요.I like autumn most.This sentence is useful for expressing a favorite season using 좋아해요.Tatoeba #5383177 by rainbow4us, translation #251229 by Dejo
- 전 한국 요리를 좋아해요.I like Korean cuisine.This sentence is useful for expressing a preference for Korean cuisine using 좋아해요.Tatoeba #1587048 by JanAson, translation #1586539 by Gulliver
- 독서를 좋아해요.I like reading.This sentence is useful for expressing a hobby like reading using 좋아해요.Tatoeba #13241968 by atitarev, translation #1276130 by CK
- 저는 커피를 좋아합니다I like coffee
- 저는 음악을 좋아합니다I like music
- 그 영화를 정말 좋아합니다I really like that movie
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Ji-hoon are talking about movies.
- 지은 Ji-eun지훈 씨는 어떤 영화를 좋아해요?Ji-hun ssineun eotteon yeonghwareul joahaeyo?Ji-hoon, what kind of movies do you like?
- 지훈 Ji-hun저는 공포 영화를 정말 좋아해요.Jeoneun gongpo yeonghwareul jeongmal joahaeyo.I really like horror movies.
- 지은 Ji-eun정말요? 저는 무서운 걸 싫어해요.Jeongmalyo? Jeoneun museoun geol sireohaeyo.Really? I hate scary things.
- 지훈 Ji-hun그럼 같이 로맨틱 코미디 영화를 봐요.Geureom gachi romaentik komidi yeonghwareul bwayo.Then let's watch a romantic comedy movie together.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
