The most common way to say I love you in Korean is 사랑해 (saranghae, "sa-rang-heh"), the casual form for a partner, close friends or family. Add 요 for the polite 사랑해요 (saranghaeyo), and use 사랑합니다 (saranghamnida) for formal or public moments, such as a speech or a singer thanking an audience.
- Most common
- 사랑해 (saranghae)
- Polite
- 사랑해요 (saranghaeyo)
- Formal
- 사랑합니다 (saranghamnida)
- I love you too
- 나도 사랑해 (nado saranghae)
- Level
- A1
Which form of I love you should you use?
Korean verbs change ending to match how formally you speak to someone. All three forms below mean "I love you"; what changes is the relationship. The simple rule: use the same speech level you already use with that person.
| Korean | Romanization | Speech level | When you would hear it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 사랑해 | saranghae | Casual (banmal) | A partner, close friends, family you speak casually with |
| 사랑해요 | saranghaeyo | Polite | Warm but respectful; a safe choice if you are unsure |
| 사랑합니다 | saranghamnida | Formal | Speeches, letters, broadcasts, a performer to an audience |
| 나도 사랑해 | nado saranghae | Casual | I love you too |
| 저도 사랑해요 | jeodo saranghaeyo | Polite | I love you too (저 is the humble word for I) |
The verb is 사랑하다 (saranghada, to love), built from the noun 사랑 (sarang, love) and 하다 (hada, to do). 사랑해 is that verb in its casual present form.
Do you need to say "I" and "you" in Korean?
No. Korean usually leaves out pronouns when the meaning is clear, so 사랑해 on its own is a complete sentence. Adding them makes it more emphatic, which is why you will hear the longer versions in songs and TV dramas.
사랑해.
Saranghae.
I love you.
The everyday version.
널 사랑해.
Neol saranghae.
I love you.
널 is a short form of 너를 (neoreul), "you" as the object. More emphatic, and more dramatic.
많이 사랑해.
Mani saranghae.
I love you so much.
정말 사랑해요.
Jeongmal saranghaeyo.
I really love you.
Polite.
Avoid using 당신 (dangsin) as a general word for "you". Between married couples it is affectionate, but said to other people it can sound cold or confrontational.
How do you say I like you or I miss you in Korean?
사랑해 is a big word. Before a relationship gets that far, Koreans usually confess with 좋아해 (joahae, I like you), which can mean a romantic crush as well as simple liking.
좋아해.
Joahae.
I like you.
The usual way to confess feelings.
좋아해요.
Joahaeyo.
I like you.
Polite.
보고 싶어.
Bogo sipeo.
I miss you.
Literally "I want to see you".
보고 싶어요.
Bogo sipeoyo.
I miss you.
Polite.
How do you reply to 사랑해?
Add 도 (do, too) to the word for "I": 나도 사랑해 (nado saranghae) in casual speech, 저도 사랑해요 (jeodo saranghaeyo) politely. Couples also use pet names: 자기야 (jagiya, darling) is common between partners, and 여보 (yeobo, honey) is used mainly by married couples.
나도 사랑해.
Nado saranghae.
I love you too.
자기야, 사랑해.
Jagiya, saranghae.
I love you, darling.
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Read free in your browserFrequently asked questions
How do you pronounce saranghae?
Say "sa-rang-heh". The Korean ㄹ here is a light tap, between an English r and l, and 해 rhymes roughly with "heh". 사랑해요 adds "yo": "sa-rang-heh-yo".
What is the difference between saranghae and saranghaeyo?
Both mean I love you. 사랑해 (saranghae) is casual, for people you speak to informally. 사랑해요 (saranghaeyo) adds the polite ending 요, so it suits people you speak to politely.
Do couples say saranghamnida?
Rarely. 사랑합니다 (saranghamnida) is the formal form, so between partners it can sound stiff or playful. You hear it in speeches, letters and from performers to their fans.
Can you say 사랑해 to friends?
Yes, between close friends it is common and affectionate, much like saying "love you" to a friend in English.
Which romanization does this page use?
Revised Romanization, the official system in South Korea, which writes 사랑해 as saranghae. Romanization is only a rough guide to pronunciation.