사랑해
saranghae[sʰa̠ɾa̠ŋɦɛ]
saranghae is the informal way to say "I love you" in Korean.
saranghae is used to express love to someone. In Korean, the subject (I) and the object (you) are often omitted in this phrase when the context makes it clear who is loving whom.
Which one should you use?
While saranghae is informal, you can add the suffix -yo to the end to create 사랑해요, which is the polite version. This polite form is more appropriate when speaking to someone older or in a more formal social setting. For highly formal settings, such as professional environments, public speeches or when showing extreme respect, use 사랑합니다.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
사랑해 is an informal form used with people of equal or lower social status, such as close friends or romantic partners. Use 사랑해요 for polite social settings and 사랑합니다 for highly formal or professional contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
saranghae
Did you know?
- While saranghae is the standard word for love, Koreans often use the word jeong to describe a deeper, more complex kind of social attachment and collective love.
- In older generations, saying saranghae directly was considered too bold or embarrassing, so people often expressed love through acts of service or by asking if someone had eaten.
- In South Korea, people often accompany saranghae with a 'finger heart', where the thumb and index finger cross to form a small heart shape.
Examples in context
- 선생님, 저는 선생님을 정말 사랑합니다.Teacher, I truly love you.
- 할머님, 저는 할머님을 사랑합니다.Grandmother, I love you.
- 친구야, 진짜 사랑해!Hey, my friend, I truly love you!
- 나 너 진짜 사랑해.na neo jin-jja sa-rang-hae.I really love you.
- 우리 서로 사랑해.u-ri seo-ro sa-rang-hae.We love each other.
- 말하기 쑥스럽지만, 사랑해.mal-ha-gi ssuk-seureop-ji-man, sa-rang-hae.It's awkward to say, but I love you.
Example conversation
A couple is walking through a park at sunset.
- 민지 Min-ji민준아, 오늘 정말 행복해.Min-jun-a, o-neul jeong-mal haeng-bok-hae.Min-jun, I am really happy today.
- 민준 Min-jun나도 그래. 사랑해, 민지야.Na-do geu-rae. sa-rang-hae, Min-ji-ya.Me too. I love you, Min-ji.
- 민지 Min-ji나도 사랑해.Na-do sa-rang-hae.I love you too.
- 민준 Min-jun고마워.Go-ma-wo.Thank you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 사랑해, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
