How to Say I Love You in Korean, and Other Words of Affection
Updated July 2, 2026
To say I love you in Korean you say 사랑해 (saranghae) casually, 사랑해요 (saranghaeyo) politely, or 사랑합니다 (saranghamnida) formally. Here are the ways to express love and affection in Korean, with notes on formality.
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 사랑해 | I love you (casual)saranghae |
| 사랑해요 | I love you (polite)saranghaeyo |
| 사랑합니다 | I love you (formal)saranghamnida |
| 좋아해 | I like you (casual)joahae |
| 예뻐 | you are pretty (said to a woman)yeppeo |
| 잘생겼어 | you are handsome (said to a man)jalsaenggyeosseo |
| 보고 싶어 | I miss you, literally I want to see youbogo sipeo |
| 자기야 | honey, babe (between couples)jagiya |
| 애기 | baby, an affectionate pet nameaegi |
| 여보 | dear, honey (between married spouses)yeobo |
Want these to stick? Hear them in real context: LingoBinge surfaces words like these while you watch Korean shows on Netflix, and saves them for spaced review.
Hear them in: Crash Landing on You, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha.
Frequently asked questions
- How do you say I love you in Korean?
- The casual form is 사랑해 (saranghae), used between close partners and family. Add politeness with 사랑해요 (saranghaeyo), or use the formal 사랑합니다 (saranghamnida) for songs, speeches, and public declarations.
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