500+ Best Korean Love Quotes and Phrases 2018 in Korean Language

All of the phrases are in standard form unless otherwise noted.

1. Two Rules for Korean Love Phrases

i. Only “You”

You’ll notice that in many of the Korean love phrases below, there is often no specific word for “you”. That’s because it’s not used often in the Korean language.

Koreans will use the other person’s name, the other person’s, or omit the pronoun “you” all together.

You may see some phrasebooks that use the term “당신” to explicitly say “you”. That’s ok. However, the problem is that Koreans don’t use this term very often, so it sounds a bit strange. It’s very formal to be using it with Korean love phrases. 

Also, it’s a bit of an outdated term that means “honey”, so it can be confusing!

In the expressions below, you usually don’t need the “you” if it’s clear who the recipient is. If it’s unclear, then you can use add their name or title from part (ii) below.

ii. The Korean Name Game

Koreans use a hierarchical system for referring to each other. It’s embedded in the language in a number of ways, and they consider it an important way of showing respect.

Simply put, Koreans will talk differently to one another depending on the age difference between them and the other people they speak with.

If you are in a relationship with someone older than you, it’s respectful to use the correct title (“오빠” or “누나”). If your significant other is the same age or younger, you may be able to use that person’s name. It depends on your level of closeness.

Here are the rules for using names and titles:

For females:

• To older men: “오빠” 
  • Example: “사랑해요” —> “오빠 사랑해요”
• To younger men: His name
  • Example: “사랑해” —> “민석아 사랑해”

For males:

• To older women: “누나”
  • Example: “사랑해요” —> “누나 사랑해요”
• To younger women: Her name
  • Example: “사랑해” —> “진아야 사랑해”

The rules above will help you correctly use the phrases below. Get practicing so you can shower your significant other with kind words and affection!

He loves being called “오빠”!

2. Meeting & Dating Korean Phrases

Maybe you’ve got a first date planned. Or perhaps you’ve been meeting this special some for a few weeks?

Use these phrases to get the ball rolling. They will help you from planning the date, all the way up to becoming a couple!

Dating Korean phrases will help this dinner go smoothly

English	한국어 (Korean)
What is your phone number?	핸드폰 번호가 뭐예요?
Let’s talk on KakaoTalk	우리 카카오톡 해요
Do you have time this weekend?	주말에 시간 있어요?
Are you available ________?	________에 시간 있어요?
I’m busy on________	________에 바빠요
Shall I set you up on a blind date?	소개팅 해줄까요?
Shall we go on a date together?	우리 데이트 할까요?
Shall we get dinner together sometime?	언제 우리 같이 저녁 먹을까요?
Shall we go for a short walk?	잠깐 산책할까요?
That was a great evening	즐거운 저녁이었어요
When shall we meet again?	언제 다시 볼까요?
Will you be my boyfriend/girlfriend?	우리 사귈래요?

You’ll notice a phrase about using KakaoTalk. KakaoTalk is a smartphone chat app that is the preferred app for residents of Korea. If you don’t use it yet, get on it and learn the ins-and-outs pronto! It could be just the boost your love life needs.

3. Kind & Caring Korean Compliments

These expressions will help you express your admiration for your date or significant other. He or she will appreciate your sincerity and kindness!

English	한국어 (Korean)
You are handsome!	잘 생겼어요!
You are charming!	매력적이네요!
You are pretty!	예쁘네요!
You are so cute!	너무 귀여워요!
You are incredible	대단해요!
You look great!	멋지네요!
You are so sweet!	정말 친절하네요!
You make a good first impression!	첫 인상이 좋네요!
You are the man of my dreams	내가 꿈꾸던 남자예요
You are the woman of my dreams	내가 꿈꾸던 여자예요

4. Affectionate Korean Love Phrases

As you get further along with your Korean relationship, you’ll want to explain your feelings. Use the phrases to show your affection. These phrases are in 반말 (informal language), since they’ll likely be used with a significant other or someone close to you.

English	한국어 (Korean)
I miss you	보고 싶어
I like you	좋아해
I like you a lot	많이 좋아해
I want to see you	보고 싶어
I love you	사랑해
I love you a lot	많이 사랑해
I love you too	나도 사랑해
Give me a hug!	안아 줘!
I want to hug you	안아주고 싶어
I will give you a hug	안아줄게
I want to kiss you	뽀뽀하고 싶어
Kiss me please	뽀뽀해 줘
I want to be with you	같이 있고 싶어
I miss your smile	미소가 정말 그리워
I would like to spend more time with you	너랑 더 오래 같이 있고 싶어

5. Heart-to-Heart Korean Expressions

As your feelings become stronger, you’ll need the words to communicate those emotions onto your partner. These expressions should help you accomplish just that! Since you’ll most likley be using these phrases with someone close to you, they are in 반말 (informal) form.

English	한국어 (Korean)
It was love at first sight	첫눈에 반했어
I’m touched	감동 받았어
I love you with all my heart	진심으로 사랑해
I love you more than you know	생각하고 있는 것 이상으로 사랑해
I love you more than words can express	말로 표현할 수 없을 만큼 사랑해
I love you more and more everyday	시간이 지날수록 더 사랑해
You don’t know how much I love you	내가 얼마나 사랑하는지 모를 거야
I’m crazy about you	너에게 반했어
I’m yours	나는 니꺼야
We’re a match made in heaven	우리는 천생연분이야
Let’s get married	나랑 결혼 해줘

6. Korean Love Words

Here’s a list of common words that you’ll hear in Korean dating, from cute names to serious lifelong commitments.

English	한국어 (Korean)
baby	자기
honey	여보
secret crush	짝사랑
couple	커플
date	데이트
boyfriend	남친
girlfriend	여친
kiss (quick peck)	뽀뽀
kiss	키스
blind date	소개팅
blind date for marriage	맞선
group date	미팅
lover	연인
love	사랑
boyfriend or girlfriend	애인
engagement	약혼
remarriage	재혼

7. Korean Words to Avoid

Some words will brighten your day, and some are bad news. Here are the Korean words that you’ll be better off avoiding.

English	한국어 (Korean)
player	바람둥이
cheat on	바람 피우다
flirt	작업
hit on	헌팅
divorce	이혼
broken heart	실연

8. Korean Fight & Breakup Phrases

Hopefully you won’t need to use or hear these Korean phrases!

In relationships, you have to take the good with the bad. If it wasn’t meant to be, then these Korean breakup phrases will help you make a clean break and move on. 

These phrases are mixed between the standard form and the informal form. If it’s a phrase you’d likely use with someone close to you, then it’s listed in informal form (반말).

English	한국어 (Korean)
I’m not interested	관심 없어요
Leave me alone	나를 혼자 있게 해주세요
You are not my type	내 스타일 아니에요
Go away!	그냥 가 주세요!
Please stop nagging me!	바가지 좀 긁지 마!
Our relationship was doomed from the start	우리 관계는 처음부터 문제가 있었어
Let’s break up	이제 헤어져