사랑해 언니
saranghae eonni
The English phrase "i love you, big sister" is translated into Korean as 사랑해 언니 (saranghae eonni).
This expression is used by a female to express affection toward her older sister or an older female friend. The term 언니 (eonni) specifically serves as the address for a big sister.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
You can make the expression more polite by adding the suffix '-요' (yo), resulting in 사랑해요 언니. Despite this politeness, using the casual address 언니 implies a close relationship.
How does it change in a sentence?
this marker is often omitted in casual speech.
How do you pronounce it?
saranghae eonni
Did you know?
- If a man were to say 사랑해 to his older sister, he could not use 언니 and must use 누나 instead.
- The word 언니 may have originated as a way for children to playfully or 'childishly' pronounce the more formal term for an older sibling, 형님.
- Korean has a specific concept called 'social kinship' where terms like 언니 are used to define the hierarchy and intimacy of a relationship without any blood relation.
Examples in context
- 언니, 사랑해요. 항상 고마워요.Big sister, I love you. I'm always thankful.
- 사랑해 언니.saranghae eonni.I love you, big sister.
- 언니가 제일 좋아, 사랑해 언니.eonniga jeil joha, saranghae eonni.I like you best, I love you, big sister.
Example conversation
Seoyeon is giving a birthday gift to her older sister.
- 서연 Seo-yeon언니, 생일 축하해!eonni, saeng-il chukhahae!Happy birthday, big sister!
- 도현 Do-hyeon고마워 서연아, 정말 예쁘다.gomawo Seoyeon-a, jeongmal yeppeuda.Thank you Seoyeon, it's really pretty.
- 서연 Seo-yeon사랑해 언니, 많이 써!saranghae eonni, mani sseo!I love you, big sister, please use it a lot!
- 도현 Do-hyeon나도 사랑해, 고마워.nado saranghae, gomawo.I love you too, thank you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 사랑해, 언니, CC BY-SA 4.0.
