사랑해
saranghaecasual, romantic
To a boyfriend, say 사랑해 (saranghae). If he is older and you are a woman, 오빠 사랑해 (oppa saranghae) is common. It is also called 사랑해요 (saranghaeyo).
Meaning: I love you to a boyfriend (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 사랑해 | saranghae | casual, romantic |
| 사랑해요 | saranghaeyo | polite |
| 오빠 사랑해 | oppa saranghae | casual, older boyfriend |
Couples also use pet names like 자기야 (jagiya), "darling", before it: 자기야, 사랑해.
Which one should you use?
A woman calls an older boyfriend 오빠 (oppa), "older brother", and this does not mean he is her relative. A man uses his girlfriend's name or 자기야.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Use 사랑해요 (saranghaeyo) only if you are still polite with each other.
Did you know?
- 자기야 literally means "oneself" but is a common pet name between couples.
Examples in context
- 자기야, 사랑해.jagiya, saranghae.Darling, I love you.
- 오빠, 정말 사랑해.oppa, jeongmal saranghae.Oppa, I really love you.
Example conversation
Minseo texts her boyfriend Hyunwoo before bed.
- Minseo오빠, 잘 자. 사랑해.oppa, jal ja. saranghae.Oppa, sleep well. I love you.
- Hyunwoo나도 사랑해.nado saranghae.I love you too.
- Minseo내일 봐!naeil bwa!See you tomorrow!
