What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 너무 좋아요 is composed of 너무, meaning "too" or "very" and 좋아요, meaning "is good" or "is liked".
Which one should you use?
While 사랑해요 can mean "I love it," that term is usually reserved for deep emotional affection for people. For liking an object or an experience, 너무 좋아요 is much more natural. For emphasizing your liking, you can use 아주 좋아합니다 to say "I really love it" in formal settings or 정말 좋아해 for an informal "I really love it".
Is it said differently in some regions?
The variation 좋아좋아 is used in some regions or among younger generations to add a playful and enthusiastic tone.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can adjust the level of formality by changing the verb ending. Using the -습니다 ending, as in 너무 좋습니다, makes the phrase highly formal and suitable for professional settings or presentations. Conversely, dropping the 요 at the end to say 너무 좋아 makes the phrase informal, which is used with close friends or people younger than you.
How do you pronounce it?
neomu joayo
Did you know?
- The word 너무 was originally used only to express something negative, such as 'too much' in a way that is excessive or problematic. Nowadays, it is commonly used as a positive intensifier to mean 'very' or 'really' in everyday speech.
- The phrase 좋아요 is actually a combination of the adjective root 'good' and a politeness marker, meaning you are literally saying 'It is good' rather than 'I like it'.
- The adverb 너무 was first recorded in the 1447 text 'Seokbo sangjeol', making it a part of the Korean language for over five centuries.
Examples in context
- 이 옷을 정말 좋아합니다.I love this dress.
- 이 음악을 아주 좋아합니다.I really love this music.
- 이 영화를 진짜 좋아해.I really love this movie.
- 이 게임을 정말 좋아해.I really love this game.
- 이 곳을 사랑해.I love this place.
- 이 노래 너무 좋아요.i norae neomu joayo.I love this song.
- 이 영화 너무 좋아요.i yeonghwa neomu joayo.I love this movie.
- 그 색깔 너무 좋아요.geu saekkkal neomu joayo.I love that color.
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Dohyun are eating dessert at a cafe.
- 서연 Seo-yeon도현 씨, 이 케이크 한번 먹어봐요.Dohyun ssi, i keikeu hanbeon meogeobwayo.Dohyun, try a piece of this cake.
- 도현 Do-hyeon와, 정말 맛있어요! 너무 좋아요.wa, jeongmal masisseoyo! neomu joayo.Wow, it's delicious! I love it.
- 서연 Seo-yeon그렇죠? 저도 이게 제일 좋아요.geureochyo? jeodo ige jeil joayo.Right? This is my favorite too.
- 도현 Do-hyeon다음에 여기 또 같이 와요.daume yeogi tto gachi wayo.Let's come here together again next time.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 너무, 좋아요, CC BY-SA 4.0.
