Want to learn how to say “I love you” in Korean, but naturally and fluently?
Here are three levels of speech to say I love you!
Quick Summary
- The most common and casual way to say “I love you” in Korean is saranghae.
- A polite way to say I love you in Korean is saranghaeyo.
- Saranghamnida is appropriate in formal settings.
Expressing love in Korean carries a deep cultural significance, and knowing the right words can help you convey your feelings better.
Here are three levels of speech depending on the formality and context of your relationship with the person you are speaking to.
Casual: Saranghae
“Saranghae” is the casual way to say “I love you” in the Korean language.
It literally means “love + do” without I and you because it’s usually clear without the subject and object.
This form is used among people who are close, mostly couples.
Older family members say this phrase to younger members, such as parents or grandparents to their children or grandchildren.
Some half-jokingly use this expression to their close friends to show affection and appreciation, especially when they write a letter on their birthdays or as a thank you for getting treated to a fancy meal by their friends.
For example, if you take your close friend to a hanwoo (expensive Korean beef) restaurant, he or she might say saranghae jokingly.
Polite: Saranghaeyo
A polite way to say I love you in Korean is “saranghaeyo.”
This is most frequently used when speaking to someone older.
Most children say saranghaeyo to their parents and grandparents.
Korean students write this to their teachers on Teacher’s Day.
Formal: Saranghamnida
For a more formal expression, there’s “saranghamnida.”
This version is appropriate in formal settings or when speaking to someone of higher social status.
It’s less commonly used among young couples and reserved for more respectful contexts, such as speeches, weddings, or when addressing elders.
Other popular places using this expression are Korean churches! They’ll make you say this awkwardly to fellow churchgoers sitting next to you.
Other Expressions of Love in Korean
There are other ways to express love and affection in Korean.
Joahae
Joahae means “I like you” in Korean.
This is to express affection that is not as deep as love.
Many Koreans will use this expression when they want to start dating.
FYI, Koreans confess their love and start counting days from the moment the confession is accepted, marking it as the official beginning of the relationship.
Bogoshipo
Bogoshipo means “I want to see you” as in “I miss you” in Korean.
It conveys a sense of longing and affection. Many couples use this, especially in the early stage of a relationship.
This is also frequently used among friends.
Whenever I’m outside Korea, my friends and I say this to each other on DMs.
Cultural Context
In Korean culture, relationships and the expression of emotions are more reserved compared to Western cultures.
Public displays of affection are less common, and the way love is expressed is subtler or even unsaid.
Immediate family rarely says the L-word to each other, or maybe it’s because my family is from the inexpressive Southern region.
But don’t worry because couples, K-dramas, and K-pop songs make up the difference.
We also like to show love through action, and… lots of gifts.
Knowing how to say “I love you” in Korean can help deepen your connections.
In Korean culture, we may not say “I love you” often to family members, but it’s frequently used between romantic partners.
Understanding the right phrases and contexts can make your Korean language sound more fluent, whether you’re in a relationship or simply showing affection to someone special.
