사랑해, 자기야
saranghae, jagiya
In Korean, "I love you, baby" is expressed as 사랑해, 자기야 (saranghae, jagiya).
This expression is used to convey affection to a romantic partner. The term 자기야 serves as a pet name meaning "baby".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The forms 사랑해, 자기야 and 사랑해, 베이비 are both informal. You can make the expression more polite by adding the suffix -요 to the verb, resulting in 사랑해요, 자기야.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 사랑해 is the casual, non-honorific version of "I love you" used with romantic partners or people of equal or lower status. In the term 자기야, the suffix -야 is a vocative particle used in casual speech to call someone's attention.
How do you pronounce it?
saranghae, jagiya
Did you know?
- While 사랑해 is the direct translation of 'i love you', Korean couples often express love through practical care, such as asking 밥 먹었어? meaning 'did you eat?'
- While 자기야 is commonly used as 'baby' or 'honey', its literal origin is the word 'self'. It was originally used to refer to oneself in a very formal or specific way before becoming a romantic pet name.
- Couples in Korea often celebrate their 100th day of dating with a special event, long before the first year anniversary.
Examples in context
- 사랑해, 자기야.saranghae, jagiya.I love you, baby.
- 정말 사랑해, 자기야.jeongmal saranghae, jagiya.I really love you, baby.
- 나도 사랑해, 자기야.nado saranghae, jagiya.I love you too, baby.
Example conversation
Subin and Jihun are saying goodbye before going home.
- 수빈 Su-bin오늘 정말 즐거웠어. 사랑해, 자기야.Oneul jeongmal jeulgeoweosseo. Saranghae, jagiya.I had a great time today. I love you, baby.
- 지훈 Ji-hun나도 오늘 너무 좋았어. 사랑해, 수빈아.Nado oneul neomu joasseo. Saranghae, Subin-a.I loved today too. I love you, Subin.
- 수빈 Su-bin조심히 들어가. 내일 또 연락할게.Josimhi deureoga. Naeil tto yeonrakhalge.Get home safely. I will call you again tomorrow.
- 지훈 Ji-hun응, 내일 봐!Eung, naeil bwa!Yeah, see you tomorrow!
