사랑해, 여보
saranghae, yeobo
The English phrase "I love you, darling" is translated into Korean as 사랑해, 여보 (saranghae, yeobo).
사랑해, 여보 is an expression of love used between spouses or romantic partners.
Which one should you use?
While 여보 is used by spouses to mean "darling" or "honey", it is not typically used by people in the early stages of dating. For non-married partners, a different term like 자기 would be more common.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the suffix –요 (-yo) to the end of 사랑해 (saranghae) makes the expression 사랑해요 a polite way to say "I love you".
How do you pronounce it?
saranghae, yeobo
Did you know?
- The term 여보 is actually a shortened version of 여보세요, which is the standard way to say 'hello' on the telephone. It functions as a way to grab a partner's attention, much like saying 'hey there' or 'look here'.
- The word 자기 is often used as a gender-neutral equivalent to 'honey' for unmarried couples, but unlike 여보, it can also be used as a reflexive pronoun meaning 'oneself'.
- While 사랑해 is the direct translation for 'I love you', many Korean couples historically expressed love through actions or phrases like 'have you eaten yet' rather than saying these words aloud.
Examples in context
- 사랑해, 자기.I love you, darling.
Example conversation
A husband and wife are sharing a quiet moment at home in the evening.
- 지은 Ji-eun여보, 오늘도 수고했어.yeobo, oneuldo sugohaesseo.Darling, you did a great job today.
- 민준 Min-jun고마워, 지은아. 사랑해, 여보.gomawo, jieuna. saranghae, yeobo.Thanks, Jieun. I love you, darling.
- 지은 Ji-eun나도 사랑해, 여보.nado saranghae, yeobo.I love you too, darling.
- 민준 Min-jun우리 내일도 행복하자.uri naeildo haengbokhaja.Let's be happy tomorrow too.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 사랑해, 여보, CC BY-SA 4.0.
