친구로서 좋아해
chin-guroseo joahae
The Korean phrase for "I love you as a friend" is 친구로서 좋아해 (chin-guroseo joahae).
This phrase is used to tell someone that you care for them platonically and not romantically.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 친구, meaning "friend" and 로서, which means "as" or "in the capacity of".
Which one should you use?
The verb 좋아해 (to like) is used in this phrase instead of 사랑해 (to love) to emphasize a platonic affection and avoid the heavy romantic weight of the word 'love'.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can adjust the level of politeness by changing the verb ending. Adding 요 to the end of the phrase, as in 친구로서 좋아해요, makes it polite and suitable for someone you are not close with or someone older than you. Changing the verb ending to 좋아합니다 makes the phrase formal and highly respectful.
How do you pronounce it?
chin-guroseo joahae
Did you know?
- To emphasize a platonic boundary, Koreans might use the term 남사친 or 여사친, which are abbreviations for 'male friend who is just a friend' and 'female friend who is just a friend'.
- If you use the formal version 친구로서 좋아합니다 to a close friend, it might actually create an awkward distance, as the extreme politeness can feel cold or ironic in a friendship.
- In many Korean social circles, expressing deep affection even 'as a friend' is often done through actions, such as buying meals, rather than stating the phrase explicitly.
Examples in context
- 너를 친구로서 좋아해.neoreul chinguroseo joahae.I love you as a friend.
- 난 너를 정말 친구로서 좋아해.nan neoreul jeongmal chinguroseo joahae.I really love you as a friend.
- 오해하지 마, 난 너를 친구로서 좋아해.ohaehaji ma, nan neoreul chinguroseo joahae.Don't misunderstand, I love you as a friend.
Example conversation
Minjun is clarifying his feelings to Subin after she misunderstood his kindness.
- 민준 Min-jun수빈아, 오해하지 마.Subin-a, ohaehaji ma.Subin, don't misunderstand.
- 수빈 Su-bin혹시 나를 좋아해?hoksi nareul joahae?Do you perhaps like me?
- 민준 Min-jun응, 하지만 친구로서 좋아해.eung, hajiman chinguroseo joahae.Yes, but I love you as a friend.
- 수빈 Su-bin그렇구나, 다행이다.geureokuna, dahaeng-ida.I see, that's a relief.
