엄마 아빠 사랑해요
eomma appa saranghaeyo
To say "I love you, mom and dad" in Korean, you say 엄마 아빠 사랑해요 (eomma appa saranghaeyo).
This phrase is an expression of affection used to tell one's parents that they are loved.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of eomma (mom), appa (dad) and saranghaeyo (the polite form of to love).
Which one should you use?
You may encounter 엄마와 아빠 사랑해 as an informal way to express the same sentiment or 엄마 아빠 사랑합니다 for a more formal version.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
엄마 아빠 사랑합니다 is a formal and highly respectful version, while 엄마 아빠 사랑해요 is polite and appropriate for speaking to parents to show respect while remaining affectionate. For a very close and casual relationship, you can use the informal 엄마 아빠 사랑해 or 엄마와 아빠 사랑해.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb saranghaeyo uses the polite ending -yo, which is appropriate when speaking to parents to show respect while remaining affectionate.
How do you pronounce it?
eomma appa saranghaeyo
Did you know?
- While 사랑해요 is the standard way to say 'I love you', many Korean adults find it too intense or embarrassing to say to their parents. They often express love through actions like preparing food or asking 'Have you eaten?' instead.
- The words 엄마 (mom) and 아빠 (dad) were originally formed by adding the vocative particle -아 to the older words for parents, 어미 and 아비, and then fusing them together.
- While many languages use different words for 'mom' and 'dad' based on age, in Korean, using the casual 엄마 and 아빠 is often a lifelong choice for adults to maintain a sense of closeness and warmth with their parents.
Examples in context
- 엄마 아빠 사랑해요.eomma appa saranghaeyo.I love you, mom and dad.
- 엄마 아빠 사랑해요, 항상 건강하세요.eomma appa saranghaeyo, hangsang geonganghaseyo.I love you, mom and dad, please always stay healthy.
- 다시 한번 말할게요, 엄마 아빠 사랑해요!dasi hanbeon malhalgeyo, eomma appa saranghaeyo!I will say it once more, I love you, mom and dad!
Example conversation
Minji is saying goodbye to her parents before leaving for college.
- 민지 Min-ji엄마 아빠 사랑해요. 잘 지내세요!eomma appa saranghaeyo. jal jinaeseyo!I love you, mom and dad. Take care!
- 지훈 Ji-hun우리도 민지 사랑해. 조심해서 가렴.urido minji saranghae. josimhaeseo garyeom.We love you too, Minji. Get there safely.
- 민지 Min-ji네, 자주 연락할게요!ne, jaju yeonrakhalgeyo!Yes, I'll keep in touch often!
- 지훈 Ji-hun그래, 건강하게 잘 지내라.geurae, geonganghage jal jinaera.Alright, stay healthy and do well.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 아빠, 엄마, CC BY-SA 4.0.
