Saying “I love you” in Korean depends on formality and the relationship.
You can use 사랑해 (saranghae) when speaking casually with close friends or a partner. 사랑해요 (saranghaeyo) is the polite version used in everyday situations. Lastly, 사랑합니다 (saranghamnida) is used in formal or highly respectful contexts.
The choice reflects both your closeness to the person and the level of respect you want to show.
Here’s a FREE PDF guide about love you can take with you on the go. Check it out below:
How to Say “I Love You” in Korean
One of the first phrases people want to learn when studying a foreign language and culture (particularly Korean and Korean culture) is saying, “I love you.” After all, it’s essential to express how we feel about those critical people in our lives.
There are a few different ways to say “I love you in Korean. It all depends on the formality or politeness you want to express your love for someone.
Here are three ways to say “I love you” in Korean:
- 사랑합니다 (saranghamnida)
- 사랑해요 (saranghaeyo)
- 사랑해 (saranghae)
We’ll show you the ways and when to use them here. Let’s start it off with a video lesson:
Saranghaeyo (사랑해요) - Polite Expression
사랑해요 (saranghaeyo) is the standard form of saying “I love you in Korean. The dictionary form of the verb “to love” is 사랑하다 (saranghada). A “hada” verb has a regular conjugation, so it should be easy to use in different situations. In the present tense, it becomes 사랑해요 (saranghaeyo).
Listen Here: 사랑해요 (saranghaeyo)
You might notice that the words “I” and “you” have been dropped. You can say these if you want to, making the phrase:
“저는 (person’s name)씨를 사랑해요”
“jeoneun (person’s name)ssireul saranghaeyo”
When adding in the person’s name, remember to consider rank in the social hierarchy. It’s essential to talk in a way that shows your relationship with the other person. Generally, use more informal or casual language for people you know well and more formal for those you’re less close to.
However, if it is clear who you are talking to, then you can just use the polite form 사랑해요 (saranghaeyo).
If you want to conjugate this verb, then you can follow the standard conjugation rules for 하다 (hada) verbs:
KoreanRomanizationEnglish 사랑해요? (rising intonation) saranghaeyoDo you love me? 사랑했어요 saranghaesseoyoI loved (past tense) 사랑할 수 있어요 saranghal su isseoyoI am able to love 사랑할 수 없어요 saranghal su eopseoyoI am unable to love 사랑하는 사람 saranghaneun saramThe person that I loveSaranghae (사랑해) - Informal Expression
사랑해 (saranghae) is the informal version of saying “I love you” in Korean. The difference is the polite ending 요 ( yo) has been dropped.
Listen Here: 사랑해 (saranghae)
We’re sure you’ve heard the word saranghae before. This is very common in K-dramas and movies. This is used between people you are close to, such as boyfriends and girlfriends. Therefore, it is the most common way of saying, “I love you.” This is because you generally only use it when talking to somebody you are close to.
You can add the words “I” and “You,” making the phrase 나는 너를 사랑해 (naneun neoreul saranghae) if you want to, but often the context is clear, so these can be omitted.
To make it into a question 사랑해? (saranghae | Do you love me?), say it with a rising intonation.
Saranghamnida (사랑합니다) - Formal Expression
사랑합니다 (saranghamnida) is the formal form of “I love you” and should be used with people you do not know (not the same age) or when talking to a large group.
Listen Here: 사랑합니다 (saranghamnida)
It isn’t used often because of the nature of the word, but it might be used if you are making a presentation or a speech at a wedding.
What is “Love” in Korean?
The Korean word for “love” is 사랑 (sa-rang). It’s a typical Korean term that’s the first thing you’ll notice when someone says “I love you” in Korean.
The Korean word for love is a great word to know how to use and recognize. By knowing this word and how to use it, you can also identify other words and phrases containing “love” in them. You’ll start to see it quite often, and it’s a common word you’ll need as you learn how to speak Korean.
The Words “I Love You” in Korean
Here are the Korean words that make up the phrase “I love you”:
- 사랑 (sarang) - love
- 하다 (hada) - to have or to do
- 사랑 (sarang) + 하다 (hada) = 사랑하다 (saranghada)
When you add 하다 (hada) to the word 사랑 (sarang), you get the Korean verb 사랑하다 (saranghada). So literally translated, this phrase means “to have love.” From this verb, you can get the expressions that we’ve discussed.
You will notice again and again that the “I” and “you” in these phrases are often omitted if the meaning is clear. Often it will be when you’re talking in Korean. You can be explicit and add in the “I” and “you,” but it is often unnecessary and won’t sound natural.
How to Write “I Love You” in Korean
Here’s how to write the different forms of “I love you” in Korean
- Saranghamnida (formal) → 사랑합니다
- Saranghaeyo (standard) → 사랑해요
- Saranghae (informal) → 사랑해
The way we’ve written the Korean words above uses the most common system for the romanization of the Korean language today. Romanization is the process of writing Korean words with Roman characters or the Latin alphabet rather than the Korean alphabet, Hangul.
Learning the romanized versions of Korean words and phrases is excellent, especially if you’re starting to learn Korean. However, it’s good not to depend entirely on romanization.
In Korean language learning, the Korean alphabet is still more accurate and is a better way to learn Korean fast. Don’t worry; Hangul is easy to master! You can learn the Korean alphabet in about 1 hour!
In the meantime, we can teach you the standard romanization of the Korean words for I love you.
Other phrases related to “I love you” in Korean
“I love you too” in Korean
If someone says “I love you” in Korean to you, then you can reply with 나도 사랑해 (nado saranghae). It means “I love you, too.”
Listen here: 나도 사랑해 (nado saranghae)
“I love you very much” in Korean
There are different ways to say “I love you very much” in Korean.
- 아주 많이 (aju mani) or 정말 많이 사랑해 (jeongmal mani saranghae) - Informal
- 아주 많이 (aju mani) or 정말 많이 사랑해요 (jeongmal mani saranghaeyo) - Polite/Standard
- 아주 많이 (aju mani) or 정말 많이 사랑합니다 (jeongmal mani saranghamnida) - Formal
Sample sentences:
할머니, 아주 많이 사랑해요! (halmeoni, aju mani saranghaeyo!) I love you so much, grandma!
지우 씨, 정말 많이 사랑합니다. (Jiu ssi, jeongmal mani saranghamnida.) I love you so much, Jiwoo.
“I love you a lot” in Korean
If you’d like to express this phrase to someone, here are the ways to say it.
- 많이 사랑해 (mani saranghae) - Informal
- 많이 사랑해요 (mani saranghaeyo) - Polite/Standard
- 많이 사랑합니다 (mani saranghamnida) - Formal
Sample sentences:
친구야, 많이 사랑해. (chinguya, mani saranghae.) I love you a lot, my friend.
많이 사랑해요, 여보. (mani saranghaeyo, yeobo.) I love you a lot, honey
“I love you more” in Korean
To express “I love you more” to someone, here are the ways to say it.
- 내가 더 사랑해 (naega deo saranghae) - Informal
- 제가 더 사랑해요 (jega deo saranghaeyo) - Polite/Standard
- 제가 더 사랑합니다 (jega deo saranghamnida) - Formal
Sample sentences:
내가 오빠를 더 사랑해 (naega oppareul deo saranghae) I love you more, Oppa.
제가 민호 씨를 더 사랑해요 (jega minho ssireul deo saranghaeyo) I love you more, Minho.
Three “I love you” in Korean lines you need to know
Other Ways to Say “I Love You” in Korean
There are also other ways to say or write “I Love You” in Korean. We’ll talk about them below.
“I Love You” in Korean (written form)
Listen here: 사랑한다 (saranghanda)
This is the written form of the verb “to love.” You might come across it in poems or essays about love if you read enough Korean.
“I Love You” in Korean (cute way)
Listen here: 사랑행 (saranghaeng)
If you want to sound extra cute with your boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse, or significant other, then it’s time to brush up on your aegyo! Adding the extra ㅇ to the informal version of “I love you” will make it sound even cuter.
“I Love You” in Korean (emotional way of expressing your feelings)
Listen here: 당신 없인 못 살아 (dangsin eopsin mot sara)
This is a strong way of expressing your feelings. It means, “I can’t live without you.” You might hear this in songs, romantic movies, or Korean TV shows.
As you can see, there are many ways to say “I love you” in Korean. When starting out, focus on using 사랑해 (saranghae) and 사랑해요 (saranghaeyo).
Due to its regularity as a 하다 (hada) verb, it can be helpful in learning how verbs change in different situations. It is also helpful in understanding how the 를 and는 particles work.
For example, 나는 너를 사랑해 (naneun neoreul saranghae | I love you) vs. 너는 나를 사랑해 (neoneun nareul saranghae | You love me).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the common questions asked about saying “I love you” in Korean.
What is saranghae?
사랑해 (saranghae) means “I love you” in Korean. It’s casual and intimate, used with close friends, family, or romantic partners who are of the same age or younger. Polite and formal versions include:
- 사랑해요 (saranghaeyo) - polite but still warm, safe for most relationships
- 사랑합니다 (saranghamnida) - formal and respectful, used in speeches or songs
How to say “I love you” in Korean in a cute way?
Here are some playful and affectionate variations:
- 사랑해요오~ (saranghaeyooo~) - Adding extra vowels for cuteness
- 사랑해애~ (saranghaeae~) - Drawn-out tone for extra affection.
- 사랑해용 (saranghaeyong) - Using “용” instead of “요” makes it cuter.
- 나도 사랑해 (nado saranghae) - “I love you too,” casual and sweet.
These forms are often used between couples or very close friends.
What is “sarang” in Korean?
사랑 (sarang) is the noun meaning “love.”
Examples:
사랑은 아름다워요 (sarangeun areumdawoyo) Love is beautiful.
너는 내 사랑이야 (neoneun nae sarangiya) You are my love.
How to reply “I love you” in Korean?
Common responses are:
- 나도 사랑해 (nado saranghae) - “I love you too” (casual)
- 저도 사랑해요 (jeodo saranghaeyo) - “I love you too” (polite)
- 나도 (nado) - Simply “Me too,” used casually between couples or close friends.
- 저도요 (jeodoyo) - “Me too” (polite)
Can you say saranghae to a friend?
Yes, but context matters. Among close friends, it can mean “I care about you” rather than romantic love. However, Koreans usually don’t say it often between friends. It’s more natural with family or romantic partners.
Is it normal to say “I love you” in Korea?
Not as common as in Western cultures. Koreans often express affection indirectly, such as through caring actions, thoughtful gifts, or spending time together, rather than by saying 사랑해 frequently. Among couples, however, 사랑해 is commonly used, especially in messages or calls.
What’s the difference between 사랑해 (saranghae) and 사랑해요 (saranghaeyo)?
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사랑해 (saranghae): Casual, used with close friends, romantic partners, or someone younger. It feels direct, warm, and affectionate.
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사랑해요 (saranghaeyo): Polite and respectful, but still affectionate. Used with acquaintances, someone older, or when you’re not on very close terms. Between couples, it can also sound sweet and slightly shy, especially early in a relationship.
Is 사랑합니다 (saranghamnida) commonly used in daily life?
No, 사랑합니다 is very formal and not common in everyday conversations. It is typically used in speeches, songs, ceremonies, or by public figures addressing an audience. It carries a solemn, declarative tone, not the intimacy you’d expect between couples or friends.
Which version of “I love you” is used in K-dramas?
Most often, you’ll hear 사랑해 (saranghae) between couples or in emotional scenes. 사랑해요 (saranghaeyo) appears when characters are being polite or not yet fully intimate, often early in relationships. 사랑합니다 (saranghamnida) rarely appears outside of dramatic or ceremonial contexts such as wedding vows, public confessions, or speeches.
Wrap Up
Now that you know how to say “I love you” in Korean, get out there and put it to use! How about learning other romantic Korean phrases next? Our article on Korean Love Phrases can help you with that.
Learning to say “I love you” is a good start to your Korean language journey. If you want to improve your skills, it’s good to have a structured Korean language program that can help you learn Korean fast and efficiently. You’ll not only be saying “I love you” and other common phrases to your Korean friends, but you’ll be able to communicate effectively as well.
