여보, 사랑해
yeobo, saranghae
The phrase "I love you, honey" in Korean is 여보, 사랑해 (yeobo, saranghae).
This phrase is an expression of love specifically used between spouses. The term 여보 is a term of address for a husband or wife and is not used for romantic partners who are not married. The second part, 사랑해, is a way to say "I love you".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 여보, 사랑해 is informal and intimate, which is appropriate for use between spouses. For a more formal way to say "I love you" when addressing someone older or someone you are not yet close to, you would use 사랑해요. If you want to use an endearing term similar to "honey" or "darling" for a loved one that is not necessarily a spouse, you can use 자기야.
How do you pronounce it?
yeobo, saranghae
Did you know?
- The phrase 여보세요 used to answer the phone is a formal extension of the same root found in 여보.
- The word 자기 in 자기야 originally referred to 'oneself' or 'the self' before becoming a romantic term of address.
- If you use the more polite 사랑해요 with a spouse, it can actually create a sense of distance. In a marriage, the lack of formal politeness in 사랑해 is actually a sign of closeness and warmth.
Examples in context
- 여보, 사랑해.yeobo, saranghae.I love you, honey.
- 정말 고마워, 여보, 사랑해.jeongmal gomawo, yeobo, saranghae.Thank you so much, honey, I love you.
Example conversation
A couple is greeting each other at home.
- 수빈 Su-bin여보, 왔어? 사랑해.yeobo, wasseo? saranghae.Honey, you're home? I love you.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo나도 여보, 사랑해.nado yeobo, saranghae.I love you too, honey.
- 수빈 Su-bin오늘 하루 힘들었지?oneul haru himdeureotji?You had a hard day today, right?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo응, 그래도 좋네.eung, geuraedo jonne.Yes, but this feels good.
