KOREA
self-portrait illustration of Hyemin Lee

(Illustrations by Hyemin Lee, Stripes Korea)

Useful Korean phrases for love

  • Joahae(좋아해): I like you / I like that

  • Saranghae (사랑해): I love you / I love that

  • Sarang(사랑): Love

  • Ha-tuh (하트) / Simjang-organ (심장): Heart

  • Aegyo (애교): a cute display of affection toward a partner, friends, family

Hyemin says, “I have something to give you.”

(Illustration by Hyemin Lee)

Hyemin says Saranghae, which means i love you or I love that.

(Illustration by Hyemin Lee)

Useful Korean phrases for dating

  • Date (데이트): Dating / Going out

  • Date sincheong-hada (데이트 신청하다): To ask a person out for a date

  • Gobaek-hada (고백하다): To ask a person out (to be in a relationship) / To confess

  • Sagwi-da (사귀다): To be boyfriend/girlfriend with / To date

  • Yeoja/Namja-chingu isseoyo? (여자/남자친구 있어요?): Do you have a girl/boyfriend?

  • Uri Sagwija (우리 사귀자): Let’s make it official (*informal)

  • Na-rang Sagwillae-yo?:(나랑 사귈래요?): Would you be my boy/girlfriend? (*formal)

Titles

  • Aein (애인) / Yeonin (연인): Lover / Partner / Girlfriend/ Boyfriend

  • Yeoja-chingu (여자친구): Girlfriend

  • Namja-chingu (남자친구): Boyfriend

  • Yeoja (여자): Girl / Woman

  • Namja (남자): Guy / Man

  • Friend (친구): Chingu

  • Oppa (오빠): A honorific title that women call older men and is often used to present Aegyo to their older boyfriend. 

  • Jagi (자기) / Yeobo (여보): Honey/ Boo / Sweetheart

  • Aegi (애기): Baby / Boo (The way to call a younger girlfriend very affectionately)

*Try to put “ya” behind of those words: Jagi-ya, Aegi-ya

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