How to Say "I love you" in Korean: 사랑해 (saranghae)

사랑해 (saranghae) means 'I love you' in casual Korean. The formal version is 사랑합니다 (saranghamnida).

Category: Vocabulary

Meaning & Usage

사랑해 (saranghae) means 'I love you' in casual Korean. The formal version is 사랑합니다 (saranghamnida). Learning everyday vocabulary is the fastest way to start speaking Korean naturally. Rather than memorizing word lists, learn words in context with example sentences you can actually use.

Related Words

• **사랑하다** (saranghada) — to love • **좋아해** (joahae) — I like you • **보고 싶어** (bogo sipeo) — I miss you • **사랑해요** (saranghaeyo) — I love you (polite)

Cultural Context

Koreans express love less verbally than Western cultures. 사랑해 is meaningful precisely because it's not said casually. Parents often show love through actions rather than words.

Common Mistake

❌ 나는 너를 사랑해 ✅ 사랑해 In Korean, 나는 너를 (I + you) is usually dropped — it's understood from context. Saying the full sentence sounds textbook-ish and unnatural.

Examples

엄마, 사랑해요! — eomma, saranghaeyo! — Mom, I love you!

나도 사랑해. — nado saranghae. — I love you too.

한국 음식을 사랑합니다. — hanguk eumsigeul saranghamnida. — I love Korean food.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect: 나는 너를 사랑해 → Correct: 사랑해. In Korean, 나는 너를 (I + you) is usually dropped — it's understood from context. Saying the full sentence sounds textbook-ish and unnatural.

Quiz

How do you say "I love you" in Korean?

"I love you" in Korean is "사랑해" (saranghae).

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