How to Say I Love You in Korean: 17 Romantic Expressions & Pet Names

The Short Answer

The most common way to say "I love you" in Korean is 사랑해 (Saranghae) in casual speech or 사랑해요 (Saranghaeyo) in polite speech. The word 사랑 (sarang) means "love," and the verb 하다 (hada) means "to do," so 사랑하다 literally translates to "to do love."

Korean is spoken by over 80 million people worldwide, and its love vocabulary is shaped by a unique collision of Confucian reserve and modern K-drama romanticism. According to linguist Ho-Min Sohn in The Korean Language (Cambridge University Press, 1999), traditional Korean culture favored expressing affection through actions and sacrifice rather than direct verbal declarations. Today, younger generations freely say 사랑해, but the cultural weight behind these words remains heavier than a casual "love ya" in English. Whether you're looking up "i love you in korean" for travel, study, or conversation, this guide covers everything you need.

"Korean love language operates on a spectrum from restraint to intensity. The speech level you choose, the timing of your confession, and even the pet name you use all encode layers of social meaning that go far beyond the words themselves."

(Jaehoon Yeon & Lucien Brown, Korean: A Comprehensive Grammar, Routledge, 2011)

This guide covers 17 essential Korean love expressions organized by category: core "I love you" variations across speech levels, confession and dating phrases, pet names and terms of endearment, and family love expressions. Each includes Hangul script, romanization, pronunciation, an example sentence, and cultural context.

Quick Reference: Korean Love Expressions at a Glance

Understanding Love and Speech Levels in Korean

Before exploring individual phrases, it is important to understand how Korean speech levels shape love expressions. Unlike English, where "I love you" is the same sentence whether you say it to your partner or your boss, Korean love vocabulary shifts form based on formality.

The National Institute of Korean Language (국립국어원) notes that the polite form (-요 ending) is the safest default for romantic expressions in Korean. The casual form implies deep intimacy, while the formal form carries dramatic weight (think wedding vows, not pillow talk).

Core "I Love You" Expressions

These are the essential phrases for expressing romantic love in Korean, varying by speech level.

사랑해 (Saranghae)

This is the phrase that launched a thousand K-drama fan edits. 사랑해 is casual speech (반말), meaning you only use it with someone you are genuinely close to: a romantic partner, a sibling, a parent (in modern families), or a very close friend. The word breaks down simply: 사랑 (sarang, love) + 해 (hae, do).

Pronunciation tip: "sa-rang-hae," three even syllables. The ㅎ in 해 is a soft "h," not a hard one. It should flow naturally, almost like a single exhale.

사랑해요 (Saranghaeyo)

Adding -요 (yo) to the end transforms casual love into polite love. This is the version couples use in the early months of dating, when formality is still being negotiated. It is also what you would use if your partner is notably older, or if you are saying "I love you" in a semi-public context like a family gathering.

사랑합니다 (Saranghamnida)

This is the "I love you" of grand declarations. You will hear 사랑합니다 in Korean wedding ceremonies, military send-offs, K-pop concert stages, and patriotic speeches. In daily romantic conversation it would sound overly dramatic, like saying "I hereby declare my love for you" instead of a simple "I love you."

K-pop fans will recognize this phrase instantly. Idols frequently close fan meetings and concerts with "여러분, 사랑합니다!" (Yeoreobun, saranghamnida! "Everyone, I love you!").

당신을 사랑해요 (Dangshineul Saranghaeyo)

Korean is a pro-drop language, meaning pronouns are typically omitted when the context makes the subject and object clear. So 사랑해 already implies "I love you" without needing to say "I" or "you." Adding 당신을 (dangshineul, "you" + object marker) creates emphasis and literary weight. You will encounter this form more in song lyrics and dramas than in real bedroom conversation.

Confession and Dating Expressions

Korean dating culture has a distinct "confession" tradition (고백, gobaek) that marks the official start of a relationship. These phrases are central to that process.

좋아해 (Joahae)

In Korean dating, 좋아해 is where everything begins. The word 좋아하다 (joahada) means "to like" and carries less weight than 사랑하다 (saranghada, to love). A Korean confession typically follows this progression: 좋아해 (I like you) at the start, then 사랑해 (I love you) weeks or months into the relationship. Jumping straight to 사랑해 with someone you just started dating can feel premature and intense.

좋아해요 (Joahaeyo)

The polite form of "I like you." If you are confessing to someone older, someone you met recently, or someone in a context where banmal would feel too presumptuous, 좋아해요 is the right choice. Watch any K-drama confession scene and you will hear this phrase delivered with downcast eyes and a racing heartbeat.

보고 싶어 (Bogo Sipeo)

Korean does not have a direct word-for-word equivalent of "I miss you." Instead, Koreans say "I want to see you": 보고 싶어 (bogo sipeo). The literal meaning makes it arguably more romantic than the English version: rather than passively missing someone, you are actively expressing desire to be with them. This phrase is a staple of Korean couple texting culture.

사귀자 (Sagwija)

This is the phrase that makes it official. Korean dating culture draws a clear line between the pre-relationship phase (some, 썸, from the English word "something") and an official relationship (사귀다, sagwida). Saying 사귀자 is the Korean equivalent of asking "Will you be my girlfriend/boyfriend?" It carries real weight and is not said casually.

설레요 (Seolleoyo)

The Korean language has a word specifically for the heart-fluttering sensation of new romance: 설레다 (seolleda). There is no precise English equivalent; it encompasses butterflies, excitement, nervous anticipation, and giddiness all at once. If you are a fan of K-dramas, you have probably seen characters clutch their chests and whisper 설레 (seolle) after an accidental touch or lingering glance. The casual form is 설레 (seolle) or 설레어 (seolleo).

첫눈에 반하다 (Cheotnune Banhada)

The Korean expression for love at first sight is as poetic as the concept itself: 첫눈에 반하다 literally means "to be captivated at first glance." The noun 첫눈 (cheotnnun) means "first sight" (or, in another context, "first snow," which is itself loaded with romantic meaning in Korean culture, since the first snowfall is considered a lucky time for couples).

Pet Names and Terms of Endearment

Korean has a rich system of pet names, many of which are deeply tied to age, gender, and relationship status.

자기야 (Jagiya)

자기야 is the Korean "baby" or "honey," the go-to pet name for couples. Its literal meaning is "self" or "oneself," which linguists have noted creates an interesting intimacy: calling your partner "self" implies a merging of identities. Both men and women use 자기야, making it one of the few gender-neutral Korean pet names.

여보 (Yeobo)

While 자기야 is for dating couples, 여보 is the territory of married partners. It carries a warmth and domestic intimacy that 자기야 does not quite reach. Interestingly, 여보 shares the same etymological root as 여보세요 (yeoboseyo, the phone greeting); both derive from an old Korean phrase meaning "look here" or "pay attention." Using 여보 with someone you are merely dating would feel presumptuous, like calling a new partner "hubby."

오빠 (Oppa)

Perhaps no Korean word has traveled further internationally than 오빠. Its literal meaning ("older brother" used by a female speaker) transforms in romantic contexts into something closer to "babe" or a flirtatious address for an older boyfriend. The Korean Culture and Information Service (KOCIS) notes that 오빠 occupies a unique cultural space where familial and romantic affection overlap, reflecting Korean society's emphasis on age-based hierarchies even in intimate relationships.

Important: 오빠 is exclusively used by women. A man calling his older male friend 오빠 in a romantic tone would cause confusion (the male equivalent for addressing an older male is 형, hyeong, which is purely fraternal).

내 사랑 (Nae Sarang)

A direct and emotionally rich term of endearment. 내 (nae) means "my" and 사랑 (sarang) means "love." While 자기야 is the everyday pet name, 내 사랑 carries more poetic weight. You are more likely to hear it in a heartfelt moment, a birthday message, or a Korean movie than in a text about what to have for dinner.

Compliments and Flirting

These expressions go beyond "I love you" into the territory of admiration and attraction.

예뻐요 (Yeppeoyo)

Complimenting appearance is common and culturally accepted in Korean romantic relationships. 예뻐요 (yeppeoyo) is the polite way to tell someone they are pretty. The casual form, 예뻐 (yeppeo), is what you will hear between couples constantly -- "오늘 예뻐" (Oneul yeppeo, "You're pretty today") is a standard Korean boyfriend line.

멋있어요 (Meoshisseoyo)

While 예뻐요 is typically directed at women, 멋있어요 is the go-to compliment for men, though it can be used for anyone who exudes coolness or style. It is broader than 잘생겼어요 (jalsaenggyeosseoyo), which specifically means "good-looking" in terms of facial features. 멋있어요 covers the whole package: appearance, style, aura, and attitude.

Family Love Expressions

Saying "I love you" to family members in Korean carries its own cultural dynamics, shaped by generational differences and Confucian traditions.

엄마 사랑해 (Eomma Saranghae)

This phrase represents one of the biggest generational shifts in Korean emotional culture. According to Sohn's The Korean Language (1999), traditional Korean family communication prioritized indirectness and action over verbal declarations. A Korean mother might never hear the words 사랑해 from her children. Instead, love was demonstrated through obedience, financial support in old age, and sharing meals together.

Today, younger Koreans are more likely to say 엄마 사랑해 or 아빠 사랑해 (Appa saranghae, Dad I love you), especially on Parents' Day (어버이날, Eobeoinal, May 8) and during special occasions. But for many families, the most powerful expression of love is still a warm meal prepared with care, not a spoken phrase.

K-Drama Love Vocabulary

K-dramas have introduced Korean love expressions to a global audience. Here are phrases you will hear constantly in Korean romance dramas, and you can practice them with real scenes on Wordy's Korean learning page.

Korean couples celebrate relationship milestones differently than Western couples. The 100th day anniversary (100일, baegil) is a major event, often celebrated with gifts, couple rings, and a special date. This tradition reflects the broader Korean approach to love: it is structured, intentional, and marked by clear milestones from confession (고백) to the 100th day to anniversaries and beyond.

To hear all these phrases spoken naturally with authentic intonation, check out our guide to the best movies to learn Korean. Films like My Sassy Girl, The Classic, and Architecture 101 are masterclasses in Korean romantic vocabulary.

How to Respond to Korean Love Expressions

Knowing how to respond when someone says "I love you" in Korean is just as important as saying it yourself.

Practice With Real Korean Content

Reading about love expressions builds vocabulary, but hearing them spoken by native speakers in emotional contexts is what makes them stick. Korean romance dramas are arguably the best resource on the planet for absorbing how these phrases sound, feel, and function in real conversations.

Wordy lets you watch Korean movies and dramas with interactive subtitles, tapping any love expression to see its meaning, speech level, and cultural nuance in real time. Instead of memorizing 사랑해 from a flashcard, you absorb it from the scene where the lead character finally confesses after sixteen episodes of 썸 (sseom).

For more Korean language content, explore our blog for guides on everything from Korean greetings to the best Korean movies for language learning. You can also visit our Korean learning page to start practicing today.