이거 좋아
igeo joa
The English phrase "I like this" is expressed in Korean as 이거 좋아 (igeo joa).
This phrase is used to express that someone finds a specific object or thing pleasing.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 이거, meaning "this thing" and 좋아, meaning "is good" or "is likable".
Which one should you use?
While 이거 좋아 literally means "this thing (is) good/likable", using the verb form 이거 좋아해 shifts the focus to the speaker's active feeling of liking the object.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a polite version suitable for speaking to people you are not close with or who are older than you, add 요 to the end to say 이거 좋아요. For a formal setting, you can use 좋아합니다 and a polite version is 좋아해요. Another informal way to express this is 맘에 들어, which means "It pleases my heart".
How do you pronounce it?
igeo joa
Did you know?
- If you like a food item, you might use 맛있다 ('it tastes good') instead of 좋아, as 좋아 can sound too vague or unnatural when referring to flavor.
- The concept of 'liking' something in Korean is often tied to whether the thing 'fits' or 'enters' one's internal standards, as seen in the phrase 맘에 들어.
- When using 이거 좋아, the subject 'I' is often omitted entirely because it is understood from the context of the conversation.
Examples in context
- 진짜 좋아해!I really like it!
- 네, 좋아해요.Yes, I like it.
- 이거 좋아.igeo joa.I like this.
- 색깔이 예뻐서 이거 좋아.saekkkari yeppeoseo igeo joa.The color is pretty, so I like this.
Example conversation
Minji and Jihun are shopping for clothes together.
- 민지 Min-ji지훈, 이 셔츠 봐. 이거 좋아.Jihun, i syeocheu bwa. igeo joa.Jihun, look at this shirt. I like this.
- 지훈 Ji-hun색깔이 정말 예쁘네.saekkkari jeongmal yeppeune.The color is really pretty.
- 민지 Min-ji그치? 나 이거 살래.geuchi? na igeo sallae.Right? I want to buy this.
- 지훈 Ji-hun잘 어울릴 것 같아.jal eoulil geot gata.I think it will look good on you.
