Korean Romantic Phrases for Dating and Texting
The Korean romantic phrases couples use most are 사랑해 (saranghae, I love you), 보고 싶어 (bogo sipeo, I miss you) and 좋아해 (joahae, I like you). Below are 32 phrases, grouped in order from the first talk to meeting their parents.
Korean Romantic Phrases for Dating
Teaches 32 Korean phrases for dating, from the first talk and texting a partner to meeting their parents at the formal level. Each card shows when a phrase is casual and only for a partner.
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First Talk
| Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|
| 더 알아가고 싶어요 | deo aragago sipeoyo | I'd like to get to know you better. Polite, safe for someone you just met. | |
| 연락처 물어봐도 될까요? | yeollakcheo mureobwado doelkkayo | May I ask for your number? Polite and soft, the usual way to ask someone new. |
Compliment
| Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|
| 오늘 진짜 예뻐요 | oneul jinjja yeppeoyo | You look really pretty today. Usually said to a woman. To a partner, drop 요 for 오늘 진짜 예뻐. | |
| 오늘 진짜 멋있어요 | oneul jinjja meosisseoyo | You look really great today. 멋있다 means cool or handsome and is often said to a man. |
Ask Them Out
| Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|
| 같이 밥 먹을래요? | gachi bap meogeullaeyo | Do you want to get a meal together? The everyday way to ask someone out without making it sound heavy. | |
| 이번 주말에 시간 있어요? | ibeon jumare sigan isseoyo | Are you free this weekend? Polite. | |
| 토요일 일곱 시에 강남역에서 볼까요? | toyoil ilgop sie gangnamnyeogeseo bolkkayo | Shall we meet at Gangnam Station at seven on Saturday? Swap in your own day, time and place. | |
| 좋아요, 그때 봐요 | joayo, geuttae bwayo | Sounds good, see you then. What they may say when they accept. |
On the Date
| Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|
| 오늘 정말 즐거웠어요 | oneul jeongmal jeulgeowosseoyo | I had a really good time today. Said at the end of a date. | |
| 또 만나고 싶어요 | tto mannago sipeoyo | I'd like to see you again. Polite and clear about your interest. |
Texting
| Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|
| 밥 먹었어? | bap meogeosseo | Did you eat? A caring check-in Koreans text all day, closer to 'how are you' than a real question about food. Casual: for a partner or close friend. Polite form: 밥 먹었어요? | |
| 보고 싶어 | bogo sipeo | I miss you. Casual: for a partner or someone very close. Polite form: 보고 싶어요. | |
| 잘 잤어? | jal jasseo | Did you sleep well? The usual good-morning text between couples. Casual. | |
| 잘 자, 좋은 꿈 꿔. | jal ja, joeun kkum kkwo | Good night, sweet dreams. Casual: for a partner or close friend. Polite form: 잘 자요, 좋은 꿈 꿔요. | |
| 뭐 해? | mwo hae | What are you doing? The most common text between couples. Casual. | |
| 집에 잘 들어가 | jibe jal deureoga | Get home safe. Said or texted when you part. Casual. Polite form: 집에 잘 들어가요. |
Affection
| Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|
| 좋아해. | joahae | I like you. Casual, the usual way to confess to someone you already talk to casually. Polite form: 좋아해요. | |
| 사랑해 | saranghae | I love you. The casual form couples use with each other. Only for a partner or close family. Polite form: 사랑해요. | |
| 자기야 | jagiya | Honey, babe. The most common nickname couples use, dating or married. Only for a partner. | |
| 오빠 | oppa | Said by a woman to an older man, including an older boyfriend. It also means older brother and is used for older male friends. A man calls an older girlfriend 누나. | |
| 한 번만 더 말해 줘 | han beonman deo malhae jwo | Say it one more time. Said playfully, often after the other person says something sweet. Casual: for a partner. | |
| 네가 자랑스러워 | nega jarangseureowo | I'm proud of you. Casual. In speech 네가 is usually said as 니가 (niga), and many people drop it: 자랑스러워. Koreans also often say 고생했어 (you worked hard) in the same moment. | |
| 미안해, 내가 잘못했어 | mianhae, naega jalmotaesseo | I'm sorry, I was wrong. A sincere apology after an argument. Casual: for a partner or close friend. | |
| 나랑 사귈래? | narang sagwillae | Will you go out with me? A line you hear in K-dramas, asking someone to be your boyfriend or girlfriend. Casual. | |
| 가지 마 | gaji ma | Don't go. A classic K-drama line, said when someone is about to leave. Casual. |
Meet Their Parents
| Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|
| 처음 뵙겠습니다 | cheoeum boepgetseumnida | Nice to meet you, said the first time you meet someone you must show respect to. The formal level to use with a partner's parents. Bow as you say it. | |
| 잘 부탁드립니다 | jal butakdeurimnida | Please look after me, or I hope we get along. A formal set phrase said after you introduce yourself to a partner's parents. | |
| 잘 먹겠습니다 | jal meokgetseumnida | Thank you for the meal, said before you start eating. Formal. It is polite to wait until the elders start eating. | |
| 어머님, 정말 잘 먹었습니다 | eomeonim, jeongmal jal meogeotseumnida | Thank you, I really enjoyed the meal. Formal, said to a partner's mother after she has cooked. 어머님 is the respectful word for a partner's mother. | |
| 둘이 어떻게 만났어요? | duri eotteoke mannasseoyo | How did you two meet? A question a partner's parents usually ask. Some parents use the casual form 둘이 어떻게 만났어? | |
| 무슨 일 하세요? | museun il haseyo | What do you do for work? A question a partner's parents usually ask. Some parents use the casual 무슨 일 해? | |
| 나이가 어떻게 되세요? | naiga eotteoke doeseyo | How old are you? A polite question parents often ask early, because age shapes how people address each other in Korean. |
Frequently asked questions
How do you say I love you in Korean?
Couples say 사랑해 (saranghae) to each other. It is the casual form. The polite form is 사랑해요 (saranghaeyo). Use it with someone you are close to but not yet casual with.
What do Korean couples call each other?
자기야 (jagiya), meaning honey or babe, is the most common. A woman often calls an older boyfriend 오빠 (oppa). Married couples also say 여보 (yeobo).
How do I speak to my Korean partner's parents?
Use polite -yo speech, with formal set phrases at key moments: 처음 뵙겠습니다 (cheoeum boepgetseumnida) when you first meet and 잘 먹었습니다 (jal meogeotseumnida) after the meal. Keep casual speech for your partner. Most people stay polite with a partner's parents, even after years.
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