head-over-heels in love but don’t want to through the love bomb yet?

 Try saying “I like you in Korean” to make an impact on your crush.

The phrase 사랑해 (saranghae) is the most common way to say I like you in Korean. But there are other ways to say it that can be more specific, personal, or even cute.

We have got you covered with our quick guide on the best ways to say “I like you” in Korean that will melt your beautiful loved one’s heart and let your partner  know that you missed them with examples and exercises.

Alright world, Let’s get started!

How To Say I Like You In Korean ( From Causal To Formal)

좋아해요 (joahaeyo) means “I like you in Korean”. It is polite and respectful to say this to your parents, grandparents, or teachers. 좋아해 (joahae) is more casual and is used like your boyfriend or girlfriend. The formal way to say I like you in Korean is 좋아합니다 (joahamnida) and use this with someone older, in lyrics, or in advertisements.

Here are the common ways to say I like you in Korean in formal, casual, and polite situations.

• The Casual  way – 좋아해 (joahae)
• The Polite way  –좋아해요 (joahaeyo)
• The Formal way– 좋아합니다 (joahamnida)

What Is Saranghaeyo Korean?

The polite way to say “I like you” in Korean is called 좋아해요((joahaeyo)

It comes from the verb  좋아하다 with present tense conjugation. If you want to show your appreciation, gratitude, and affection in a more respectful way, you may want to use the polite way of saying “I like you” with your parents, teachers, etc.

If you want to confess someone just say the sentence (나는 너를 좋아해요),na-neun neo-reul joahaeyo

You can just substitute “you” with the listener’s name +  씨 

• Like you, name. 
• name+ 씨 좋아해요. (xx ssi joahaeyo)

Example

Bon-Hwa, I like you.

봉화 씨, 좋아해요. – [Bon-Hwa-ssi, jo-a-hae-yo]

Or you can also address the person as 오빠 or 누나

•  i like you my significant other. 
• 오빠/누나 좋아해요. (oppa/nuna joahaeyo.) 

I Like You In Korean In The Informal Way

The most common and casual way to say “I like you” in Korean is 좋아해 (joahae).

This means that you can use this with people close to you and people younger than you. 

For example, with your girlfriend or boyfriend, with your husband or wife, 

You could say 나 너  좋아해 (na neo joahae)/널  좋아해 (neol joahae.)

Or you can substitute “you” with the listener’s name and add 아 or 야 after the 

Example

 I like you, minji.

민지야,  좋아해 (minjiyah, saranghae.)

Note 

If a Korean name ends in a consonant, add 아(ah) to the end of his/her name.

You can Add 야 (ya) to the end of the name, if a Korean name ends in a vowel,

For example

 I like you, yaejin – 예진 (Yaejin) + 아( Ah) +  좋아해= 예진아 ,좋아해

I like you, minji  – 민지 (Minji) + 야 (Yah)+ 좋아해 = 민지야,좋아해

I Like You In Korean Formal Way

좋아합니다 (joahamnida) means “I like you in Korean”. It is the most formal way.

You can use this word to address, just those with higher status or those who are older than you.

It’s also used when talking to large groups and audiences.

Other Indirect Ways To Say I Like You In Korean 

Besides saying I like you directly, you can also express your feelings to the other person in indirect ways. 

• You’re pretty. 예뻐요. (yeppeoyo.)
• You’re handsome. 잘 생겼어요. (jal saenggyeoseoyo.)
• Would you go out with me?-저랑 사귈래요? (jeorang sagwilraeyo?) 
• I want to be with you. 같이 있고 싶어요. (gachi itgo sipeoyo.) 
• I miss you. 보고 싶어요. (bogo sipeoyo.)
• I love you-
• You’re beautiful. 아름다워요. (areumdawoyo.)
• You’re looking good. 멋있어요.

I Like You Very Much In Korean

If you want to say “I like you very much in Korean”, simply add the degree modifier 너무(neomu) means “very much” or 많이 (mani) means “a lot,” before the verb.

For example,  

• i like you a lot.
• 많이 좋아해요 (mani joahaeyo) 

• i like you very much. 
• 너무좋아해 (neomu joahae.)

I Don’t Like You In Korean

What if you don’t have a liking for somebody, and if you want to let them know, you need to say, “I don’t like you or I hate you”.

But how do you say “I don’t like you” in Korean?

Here’s how to say I don’t like you or I hate you in Korean 

• I hate you(literally)/i don’t like you -내가 너를 싫어
• I do not like you [formal]-저는 당신을 좋아하지 않아요 
• I do not like you [informal]-네가 너를 좋아하지 않아

Conclusion

If you’re just starting your Korean language journey, don’t worry about memorizing all of these different ways to say “I like you”

Just focus on 좋아해(joahae) and좋아해요 (joahaeyo).

Once you get the hang of those, then you can start experimenting with the other variations. 

here are some useful resources to read more about this topic

https://quizlet.com/468591239/i-like-dont-like-and-do-you-like-in-korean-flash-cards/

Now that you know how to say “I like you” in Korean, it’s time to put your new skills to the test. Why not confess your likeness to someone special in Korean? 

if you read more about this, check out the free guide on how to say i like you in korean