내 인생의 사랑
nae insaeng-ui sarang
The English phrase "love of my life" is expressed in Korean as 내 인생의 사랑 (nae insaeng-ui sarang).
내 인생의 사랑 is used to describe a person whom someone loves more than anyone else in the world. Because it is highly poetic and dramatic, it is typically found in song lyrics, literature or very intense romantic declarations rather than in casual conversation. A man can also use the shorter form 내 사랑 to refer to a woman as the love of his life.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 내 (my), 인생 (life), 의 (possessive particle) and 사랑 (love).
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle 의 functions as the possessive "of" or "'s", linking 인생 (life) to 사랑 (love).
How do you pronounce it?
nae insaeng-ui sarang
Did you know?
- In Korean romantic expressions, a person might describe a partner as their 인연, a term referring to a cosmic tie or destiny that transcends a single lifetime.
- The word 사랑 for 'love' is a rare example of a core emotional concept in Korean that is a native word rather than one borrowed from Chinese characters.
- In Korean culture, calling someone 내 사랑 in public can be seen as overly dramatic or 'cheesy' unless the couple is in a very specific stage of an intense relationship.
Example conversation
Dohyun and Minji are having a romantic dinner.
- 도현 Do-hyeon민지 씨, 당신은 내 인생의 사랑입니다.Minji ssi, dangsineun nae insaeng-ui sarang-imnida.Minji, you are the love of my life.
- 민지 Min-ji정말 감동적이에요, 도현 씨.jeongmal gamdong-jeog-ieyo, Dohyun ssi.That is really touching, Dohyun.
- 도현 Do-hyeon진심으로 사랑해요.jinsimeuro saranghaeyo.I love you sincerely.
- 민지 Min-ji저도 당신을 많이 사랑해요.jeodo dangsineul mani saranghaeyo.I love you a lot too.
