사랑해
saranghae[sʰa̠ɾa̠ŋɦɛ]
In Korean, "I love you" is 사랑해 (saranghae). Wiktionary also lists 좋아해요 (joahaeyo) and 사랑해요 (saranghaeyo).
Meaning: affirmation of romantic feeling (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 사랑해 | saranghae | [sʰa̠ɾa̠ŋɦɛ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [sʰa̠ɾa̠ŋɦe̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 좋아해요 | joahaeyo | |
| 사랑해요 | saranghaeyo | |
| 사랑합니다 | saranghamnida |
These phrases are used to affirm romantic feelings. In Korean, the subject "I" and the object "you" are frequently omitted from this phrase because the context usually makes the meaning clear.
Which one should you use?
While 사랑해 and its variations express intense love, the phrase 좋아해요 literally means "I like you" and is often used in the early stages of dating or to express affection more subtly.
How does it change in a sentence?
The different forms are determined by their level of politeness. 사랑해요 adds the polite suffix '-요' to show respect while expressing affection.
How do you pronounce it?
saranghae
Did you know?
- Korean possesses a unique word, 정 jung, which describes a deep, collective bond of affection and attachment that is different from the romantic love expressed by 사랑해.
- In traditional Korean culture, expressing love verbally was historically rare, and feelings were often conveyed through actions like preparing a meal for a partner instead of saying 사랑해.
- The verb 'to love', 사랑하다, is composed of the noun 'love' and the verb 'to do', a common way Korean builds complex meanings.
Examples in context
- 사랑해, 듣고 있어? 사랑한다고!I love you, do you hear me? I love you!This sentence shows how to repeat the phrase for emphasis using 사랑해.Tatoeba #8462526 by Eunhee, translation #3390938 by Hybrid
- "사랑해"를 프랑스어로 어떻게 말해?How do you say "I love you" in French?This sentence demonstrates how to ask for a translation of 사랑해.Tatoeba #8399411 by Eunhee, translation #2417967 by CK
- "에르나, 사랑해!" "너 취했잖아!""Erna, I love you!" "You're drunk!"This sentence shows an informal, affectionate exclamation using 사랑해.Tatoeba #8556178 by Eunhee, translation #13117325 by moodz
- 진짜? 너무 좋아! 나도 블랙핑크를 사랑해!Really? That's awesome! I love Blackpink too!
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Subin and Jihun are walking together in a park at night.
- 수빈 Su-bin지훈아, 나 너 정말 사랑해.jihun-a, na neo jeongmal saranghae.Jihun, I really love you.
- 지훈 Ji-hun나도 수빈이를 정말 사랑해.nado subin-ireul jeongmal saranghae.I love you too, Subin.
- 수빈 Su-bin고마워, 정말 행복해.gomawo, jeongmal haengbokhae.Thank you, I am so happy.
- 지훈 Ji-hun나도 너와 함께라서 행복해.nado neowa hamkke-raseo haengbokhae.I am happy to be with you too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “I love you” translations and entries 사랑해, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 사랑해, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
