무언가를 좋아해요
mueon-ga-reul joahaeyo
In Korean, 'I like something' is expressed as 무언가를 좋아해요 (mueon-ga-reul joahaeyo).
This phrase is used to express a general preference or fondness for an unspecified object or thing.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of 무언가 (mueon-ga), which literally means 'something', followed by the object marker 를 (reul). The verb 좋아해요 (joahaeyo) is the polite form of the verb 'to like'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle 를 (reul) is an object marker that is attached to the thing being liked.
How do you pronounce it?
mueon-ga-reul joahaeyo
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often confuse 좋아해요 (to like something) with 좋아요 (to be good / is liked). Note that 좋아해요 requires a direct object.
Did you know?
- Korean has a specific word, 취향저격, which literally means 'taste sniper' and describes something that perfectly matches your specific likes.
- To express an extreme liking or obsession, Koreans use the slang term 덕질해요, which comes from the word 'otaku' via the Japanese-influenced term 덕후.
- In Korean, you can omit the word for 'I' even more frequently than in English. If the context makes it clear who is liking the object, saying 무언가를 좋아해요 without a subject is actually more natural than including one.
Examples in context
- 저는 사과를 좋아합니다.I like apples.
- 저는 커피를 매우 좋아합니다.I really like coffee.
- 나는 음악을 좋아해.I like music.
- 나는 게임을 진짜 좋아해!I really like games!
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Hyeon-u are talking about their hobbies.
- 지은 Ji-eun취미가 뭐예요?chwimiga mwoyeyo?What is your hobby?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo저는 무언가를 좋아해요.jeoneun mueongareul joahaeyo.I like something.
- 지은 Ji-eun그게 뭔지 궁금해요.geuge mwonji gunggeumhaeyo.I am curious what that is.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo나중에 알려줄게요.najunge allyeojulgeyo.I will tell you later.
