엄마 사랑해요
eomma saranghaeyo
The English phrase "I love you mommy" is expressed in Korean as 엄마 사랑해요 (eomma saranghaeyo).
This phrase is an expression of affection used by a child to tell their mother that they love her. In Korean, the subject "I" (나/저) is typically omitted because it is understood from the context. To emphasize the depth of love, you can add the word 정말, which means "really" or "truly".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 엄마 (eomma), which literally means "mommy" or "mom" and 사랑해요 (saranghaeyo), which is the polite form of the verb "to love".
How does it change in a sentence?
By dropping the 요 (yo) from the end, the phrase becomes 엄마 사랑해, which is the informal version used between close family members.
How do you pronounce it?
eomma saranghaeyo
Did you know?
- In Korean culture, showing affection through words like 사랑해요 is often more subtle than in English. While children use it, many adults express this same 'love' through actions like preparing food rather than verbalizing it.
- The word 엄마 actually contains a hidden 'hey' at the end. It originated from the formal word for 'mother', 어미, merged with the calling particle -아.
- If you want to sound even more 'cute' or 'aegyo' when saying this, a child might stretch the vowels in 엄마 or change the tone. This performs a social function of acting charmingly through speech patterns.
Examples in context
- 사랑하는 엄마Beloved mother
Example conversation
A young boy gives his mother a handmade drawing.
- 도현 Do-hyeon엄마, 이거 선물이에요.eomma, igeo seonmulieyo.Mommy, this is a gift.
- 수빈 Su-bin고마워, 도현아. 정말 예쁘다!gomawo, dohyun-a. jeongmal yeppeuda!Thank you, Dohyun. It is really pretty!
- 도현 Do-hyeon엄마 사랑해요!eomma saranghaeyo!I love you, mommy!
- 수빈 Su-bin나도 우리 아들 사랑해.nado uri adeul saranghae.I love you too, my son.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 엄마, CC BY-SA 4.0.
