자신을 사랑해
jasineul saranghae
The English phrase 'love myself' is expressed in Korean as 자신을 사랑해 (jasineul saranghae).
This phrase is used to express having a high opinion of oneself and caring for one's own well-being and happiness.
What does it mean word for word?
자신 means 'oneself' or 'self', followed by the object marker 을 which indicates that 'oneself' is the object being loved.
Which one should you use?
While the default form 자신을 사랑해 uses the reflexive 'oneself', you can also say 나를 사랑해 to say 'love myself' in an informal context, which uses 'me' instead of the reflexive term. Additionally, the variation 나는 나 자신을 사랑합니다 can be used to emphasize the subject by adding '나는' (I).
How does it change in a sentence?
For a polite tone suitable for strangers or social superiors, add '요' to the end to get 자신을 사랑해요. For highly formal settings like speeches or presentations, use 자신을 사랑합니다.
How do you pronounce it?
jasineul saranghae
Did you know?
- If someone exhibits an unhealthy or narcissistic version of self-love, Koreans might describe them as having 공주병, which literally translates to 'princess disease'.
- While 자신 means 'self' in this phrase, it is also used independently to mean 'confidence'. This means 자신이 있다 literally translates to 'to have self', but actually means 'to be confident'.
- Because Korean frequently omits the subject, saying 자신을 사랑해 without 'I' can be ambiguous. A listener might think you are giving them a command to 'love themselves'.
Examples in context
- 나는 이제 정말 자신을 사랑해.naneun ije jeongmal jasineul saranghae.I really love myself now.
- 자신을 사랑해 봐야 행복해질 수 있어.jasineul saranghae bwaya haengbokhaejil su isseo.You can only be happy if you love yourself.
Example conversation
Jieun and Hyeon-u are talking about mental health.
- 지은 Ji-eun현우야, 너 자신을 사랑해 봐.Hyeon-u-ya, neo jasineul saranghae bwa.Hyeon-u, try to love yourself.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo그게 생각보다 어렵더라고.geuge saenggakboda eoryeopdeorago.That's harder than I thought.
- 지은 Ji-eun작은 것부터 시작해 봐.jageun geotbuteo sijakae bwa.Try starting with the small things.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo노력해 볼게, 고마워 지은아.noryeokhae bolge, gomawo Jieun-a.I'll try, thanks Jieun.
