사랑해 자기야
saranghae jagiya
The English phrase "I love you, babe" is translated into Korean as 사랑해 자기야 (saranghae jagiya).
사랑해 자기야 is an affectionate expression of love used when speaking to a romantic partner.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of 사랑해, which is the informal way to say "I love you" and 자기야, which means "babe".
Which one should you use?
While 사랑해 is a casual expression of "I love you", adding the suffix –요 to the verb creates the polite form 사랑해요. In a close romantic relationship, the informal 사랑해 is more common.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
This is appropriate for close romantic partners, but it would be impolite to use with strangers or superiors.
How do you pronounce it?
saranghae jagiya
Did you know?
- While 사랑해 is the standard way to say 'I love you', many Korean couples express affection through 'care-based' phrases like 밥 먹었어?, which means 'Did you eat?', implying that the speaker loves and cares for the other's well-being.
- While 자기야 is a common term for 'babe', its literal origin comes from the word 'self', referring to your partner as an extension of your own being.
- In older generations of Koreans, saying 사랑해 directly was considered too bold or embarrassing, so love was communicated through actions or subtle hints rather than the spoken word.
Examples in context
- 나도 사랑해 자기야.nado saranghae jagiya.I love you too, babe.
Example conversation
A couple is having a sweet moment at a park.
- 서연 Seo-yeon자기야, 사랑해.jagiya, saranghae.Babe, I love you.
- 도현 Do-hyeon나도 사랑해, 서연아.nado saranghae, seoyeon-a.I love you too, Seoyeon.
- 서연 Seo-yeon고마워, 도현아.gomawo, dohyeon-a.Thank you, Dohyeon.
- 도현 Do-hyeon사랑해 자기야.saranghae jagiya.I love you, babe.
