Which one should you use?
저는 고양이를 좋아해요 uses the verb for "to like," while forms using 사랑합니다 or 사랑해 specifically use the verb "to love." For casual affection, you might use 나는 고양이 좋아해 which uses the verb "to like" rather than "to love."
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 저는 고양이를 좋아해요, the word 저는 uses the humble/polite form of "I" (저), which is used when speaking to someone of higher status or in a polite setting. The particle -를 attached to 고양이 (cat) marks it as the direct object. The verb 좋아해요 is in the polite informal style. Note that in natural Korean conversation, the subject 저는 is often dropped if it is clear from the context that you are talking about yourself. Additionally, 난 is a contracted form of 나는, which means "I."
How do you pronounce it?
jeoneun goyang-ireul joahaeyo
Did you know?
- In Korea, people who are obsessed with cats often call themselves 집사, which literally means 'butler'. This implies that the cat is the master of the house and the human is merely there to serve it.
- While you say 좋아해요 to express liking, Koreans often use the word 덕후, derived from the Japanese 'otaku', to describe someone who is obsessively devoted to cats.
- The word 좋아해요 comes from the adjective 좋다, meaning 'to be good'. To express that you 'like' something, Korean transforms the state of the object being 'good' into an active verb of liking.
Examples in context
- 어떤 동물을 가장 좋아하세요?What kind of animals do you like the most?
- 고양이는 예쁜 동물이에요. 저는 고양이를 매우 사랑하고 있습니다.Cats are beautiful animals. I truly love cats.
- 너는 고양이 좋아해?Do you like cats?
- 고양이 진짜 귀엽다! 나는 고양이 진짜 좋아해!Cats are really cute! I really like cats!
- 저는 고양이를 좋아해요.jeoneun goyangireul joahaeyo.I love cats.
Example conversation
Subin and Dohyun are talking about their favorite animals.
- 수빈 Su-bin도현 씨는 어떤 동물을 좋아하세요?Dohyun ssineun eotteon dongmureul joahase-yo?Dohyun, what animals do you like?
- 도현 Do-hyeon저는 강아지를 정말 좋아해요.jeoneun gangajireul jeongmal joahae-yo.I really love dogs.
- 수빈 Su-bin그렇군요. 저는 고양이를 좋아해요.geureokun-yo. jeoneun goyang-ireul joahae-yo.I see. I love cats.
- 도현 Do-hyeon고양이도 정말 귀여워요.goyang-ido jeongmal gwiyeowo-yo.Cats are really cute too.
