좋아해요
joahaeyo
To say "like it" in Korean, the default form is 좋아해요 (joahaeyo).
The phrase is used to express that you find something pleasant or appealing. If you want to say you enjoy an activity, you might use 즐기다 (to enjoy) or if you do something as a hobby, you can use 취미로 하다 (to do as a hobby).
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between 좋아해요, which is a verb meaning "to like (something)" and 좋아요, which is an adjective meaning "to be good" or "to be fine". Learners often confuse these two.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb form changes based on the level of politeness required. 좋아해요 is the polite, standard way to say "to like" or "I like it" in everyday conversation. 좋아해 is the casual/informal version. 좋아합니다 is the highly formal version.
How do you pronounce it?
joahaeyo
Did you know?
- Korean has a unique way of saying 'I like it' by using the expression 마음에 들다, which literally means 'to enter into my heart'.
- In Korean culture, expressing a strong 'like' for a person by saying 좋아해요 can often be interpreted as a romantic confession rather than a platonic friendship.
- In modern slang, the phrase 최애 is used to describe one's 'ultimate favorite' or the person they like most in a group, often used in K-pop fandoms.
Examples in context
- 좋아해요?Do you like it?This sentence is useful for asking if someone likes something using the form 좋아해요.Tatoeba #13220227 by atitarev, translation #433500 by CK
- 저는 음악을 좋아합니다.I like music.
- 제 친구를 좋아합니다.I like my friend.
- 그의 음악은 마음에 들어요.I like his music.
- 이 영화 좋아해?Do you like this movie?
- 나는 패스트푸드를 좋아해.I like fast food.
- 나는 그 도시가 맘에 들어.I like that city.
- 저는 그 색깔이 화려해서 좋아해요.I like that color because it's vibrant.
- 저는 딸기를 좋아해요.jeoneun ttal-gi-reul jo-a-hae-yo.I like strawberries.
- 이 노래를 좋아해요?i no-rae-reul jo-a-hae-yo?Do you like this song?
Example conversation
Minji and Jihun are talking about a new movie.
- 민지 Min-ji이 영화 좋아해요?i yeonghwa joahaeyo?Do you like this movie?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 정말 좋아해요.ne, jeongmal joahaeyo.Yes, I really like it.
- 민지 Min-ji저도 정말 좋아해요.jeodo jeongmal joahaeyo.I really like it too.
- 지훈 Ji-hun다행이네요!dahaeng-ineyo!I'm glad!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
