너를 정말 좋아해
neoreul jeongmal joahae
In Korean, "I like you very much" is said as 너를 정말 좋아해 (neoreul jeongmal joahae).
The phrase 너를 정말 좋아해 is used to express strong romantic or personal affection for another person, such as when confessing feelings.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of 너를 (you [object]), 정말 (really/very much) and 좋아해 (like).
Which one should you use?
While 너를 정말 좋아해 is a standard way to express this, you may also use 정말로 너무 좋아해 to emphasize that you like someone very much or 완전 좋아해! to express "I really like you!" in an informal way.
How does it change in a sentence?
To increase formality, you can replace the informal 너를 with the formal 당신을, as seen in 당신을 정말 좋아해요. However, note that 당신 is often avoided in spoken Korean unless used in specific contexts like songs or literature.
How do you pronounce it?
neoreul jeongmal joahae
Did you know?
- In Korea, the act of confessing feelings using phrases like 너를 정말 좋아해 is called 고백 (gobaek). This 'confession' is often treated as a formal milestone that officially begins a romantic relationship.
- K-dramas and songs often use 좋아해 instead of 'love' (사랑해) early in a relationship to evoke a specific feeling of 'fluttering' tension called 설렘 (seollem).
- The word 정말 literally translates to 'correct word', suggesting that your affection is not just a feeling but a truthful statement of fact.
Examples in context
- 너를 정말 좋아해.neoreul jeongmal joahae.I like you very much.
- 진심이야, 너를 정말 좋아해.jinsimiya, neoreul jeongmal joahae.I'm serious, I like you very much.
Example conversation
Ji-hoon and Ji-eun are walking home together after school.
- 지훈 Ji-hun지은아, 할 말이 있어.Jieun-a, hal mari isseo.Ji-eun, I have something to tell you.
- 지은 Ji-eun뭔데 그렇게 진지해?mwonde geureoke jinjihae?What is it? Why are you so serious?
- 지훈 Ji-hun나 너를 정말 좋아해.na neoreul jeongmal joahae.I like you very much.
- 지은 Ji-eun정말? 나도 너를 좋아해.jeongmal? nado neoreul joahae.Really? I like you too.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 정말, CC BY-SA 4.0.
