How to Say "I Love You" in Korean
"I love you" is one of the first phrases most K-pop and K-drama fans want to say in Korean — and getting the formality right matters more than the words themselves. This guide covers the three common ways to say it, how to reply, and the everyday "Big Three" phrases (hello, thank you, sorry) that carry you through most real conversations.
The three ways to say "I love you"
Korean changes its endings depending on who you are talking to. The word for love stays the same — 사랑 (sarang) — but the ending shifts the politeness. Pick the row that matches your relationship.
| When to use it | Korean | Romanization | Formality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Partner, very close friend, or family | 사랑해 | saranghae | Casual (banmal) |
| Everyday polite — safe default | 사랑해요 | saranghaeyo | Polite |
| Formal, heartfelt, or written declaration | 사랑합니다 | saranghamnida | Formal |
If you are unsure which to use, 사랑해요 (saranghaeyo) is the safest choice — polite without being stiff.
What "saranghae" actually means
How to reply to "I love you"
Softer ways to express affection
The Big Three: hello, thank you, sorry
If you learn only three phrases before anything else, make them these. Mastering the polite forms of hello, thank you, and sorry covers a large share of everyday social interactions in Korea.
| Meaning | Polite form | Romanization | Casual form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hello | 안녕하세요 | annyeonghaseyo | 안녕 (annyeong) |
| Thank you | 감사합니다 | gamsahamnida | 고마워 (gomawo) |
| Sorry / excuse me | 죄송합니다 | joesonghamnida | 미안해 (mianhae) |
고맙습니다 (gomapseumnida) is a common alternative to 감사합니다 for "thank you" — both are polite and interchangeable in most situations.
Read the Hangul, skip the romanization
Practice the sounds out loud, not just in your head
Once you know the phrases, the fastest way to actually use them — and get your pronunciation checked — is a short 1-on-1 lesson. italki has Korean tutors across a wide range of prices, and you can book a single trial lesson first.
Find a Korean tutor on italkiFrequently asked questions
How do you say I love you in Korean?
The most common way is 사랑해 (saranghae), used casually with a partner or close friend. The polite everyday version is 사랑해요 (saranghaeyo), and the formal or heartfelt version is 사랑합니다 (saranghamnida).
What does saranghae mean?
사랑해 (saranghae) means I love you in casual Korean. It is the informal form you would use with someone close, such as a partner, very close friend, or family member. The polite form is 사랑해요 (saranghaeyo).
How do you say hello, thank you, and sorry in Korean?
Hello is 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo), thank you is 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida), and sorry is 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida). These polite forms are sometimes called the Big Three and cover most everyday interactions in Korea.
Is it saranghae or saranghaeyo?
Both are correct but differ in politeness. 사랑해 (saranghae) is casual and used with people you are close to. 사랑해요 (saranghaeyo) adds the polite ending -요 and is safer in everyday or slightly formal situations.
How do I reply to saranghae?
A common reply is 나도 사랑해 (nado saranghae), meaning I love you too, in casual speech. The polite version is 저도 사랑해요 (jeodo saranghaeyo).