Korean · Greetings & Essentials
"I love you" in Korean: 사랑해요
사랑해요saranghaeyo
I love you in Korean is 사랑해요 (saranghaeyo). 사랑해요 is a polite expression of affection; 사랑합니다 has a more formal ending.
I love you: starting the exchange
엄마, 사랑해요.eomma, saranghaeyo.
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How to pronounce 사랑해요
Say it
saranghaeyo
/saɾaŋhɛjo/
사랑해요 is read saranghaeyo. In 사랑합니다, read the full phrase as saranghamnida.
"I love you" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 사랑해요saranghaeyo | I love you The inventory form for i love you. | The inventory form for i love you. |
| 사랑합니다saranghamnida | I love you (formal) 사랑해요 is a polite expression of affection; 사랑합니다 has a more formal ending. | 사랑해요 is a polite expression of affection; 사랑합니다 has a more formal ending. |
How to use 사랑해요 in real life
- 1I love you: starting the exchange
엄마, 사랑해요.
eomma, saranghaeyo.
Mom, I love you.
사랑해요 is a polite expression of affection; 사랑합니다 has a more formal ending.
- 2I love you: adding useful context
당신을 정말 사랑해요.
dangsineul jeongmal saranghaeyo.
I really love you.
This sentence places 사랑해요 in a complete exchange.
- 3I love you: a different conversation
가족을 사랑해요.
gajogeul saranghaeyo.
I love my family.
This sentence places 사랑해요 in a complete exchange.
Mistakes English speakers make with 사랑해요
Incorrect: 가족를 사랑해요.
Correct: 가족을 사랑해요.
When practicing i love you, 가족 ends in a consonant, so this sentence needs 가족을, not 가족를.
Incorrect: 엄마, 사랑해요이에요.
Correct: 엄마, 사랑해요.
When practicing i love you, a conjugated predicate already finishes this sentence; do not append the noun copula 이에요. Keep the complete form 엄마, 사랑해요.
Good to know
사랑해요 is a polite expression of affection; 사랑합니다 has a more formal ending.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led greetings and essentials study exercise: two sentences with 사랑해요
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
엄마, 사랑해요.
eomma, saranghaeyo.
Mom, I love you.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
당신을 정말 사랑해요.
dangsineul jeongmal saranghaeyo.
I really love you.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"I love you" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "I love you" in Korean
What does 사랑해요 mean?
I love you in Korean is 사랑해요 (saranghaeyo). 사랑해요 is a polite expression of affection; 사랑합니다 has a more formal ending.
When should I say 사랑합니다?
사랑해요 is a polite expression of affection; 사랑합니다 has a more formal ending.
How does 사랑합니다 differ from the basic expression?
사랑합니다 means “I love you (formal)”. 사랑해요 is a polite expression of affection; 사랑합니다 has a more formal ending.
Can I use 사랑해요 in a full sentence?
엄마, 사랑해요. means “Mom, I love you.” 사랑해요 is a polite expression of affection; 사랑합니다 has a more formal ending.
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