Korean Dictionary
How to say "First Love" in Korean
“First Love” in Korean is 첫사랑 (pronounced "cheotsarang").
첫사랑
cheotsarang
Usage & Context
The concept of one's first romantic love. This theme is central to many K-dramas, often involving characters reconnecting with their first love. It represents innocence, nostalgia, and powerful emotions.
Example Sentence
너 내 첫사랑이야.
You're my first love.
How to use 첫사랑 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “First Love” is 첫사랑, romanized as cheotsarang.
Usage tip
Drama lines are memorable, but some expressions are emotional or exaggerated compared with everyday Korean.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 첫사랑.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'CHEOT-sa-rang' — three syllables. '첫' ends with an unreleased 't', '사' is 'sah', '랑' is 'rahng'. In connected speech, the 't' tensens the next 's' so it sounds like 'cheot-tsa-rang'.
More Example Sentences
Discussing a Korean dating superstition
첫사랑은 이루어지지 않는다고 해요.
They say first love never works out.
Reminiscing about an old relationship
그 사람이 내 첫사랑이었어요.
That person was my first love.
Reflective conversation about past feelings
첫사랑을 잊는 건 쉽지 않아요.
It's not easy to forget your first love.
Cultural Context
Korean culture holds a deep superstition: '첫사랑은 이루어지지 않는다' — first loves never end up together — which is why it's a massive K-drama trope (see Reply 1997, Autumn in My Heart, Architecture 101). The classic Korean film '건축학개론' made 첫사랑 feel universally relatable. Because first love is framed as pure, unresolved, and nostalgic, Koreans often describe someone who looks youthful and innocent as '첫사랑 같은 외모' (a face that reminds you of your first love).
Editorial note
We review drama-style expressions like 첫사랑 for tone, because lines that sound natural in a scene can feel too emotional or direct in everyday Korean.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
첫사랑이 기억나요.
I remember my first love.
너는 나의 첫사랑이야.
You are my first love.
첫사랑을 못 잊어요.
I can't forget my first love.
Related Expressions
짝사랑
Jjaksarang
Unrequited / one-sided love
추억
Chueok
Memory / nostalgic memory
그리움
Geurium
Longing / yearning
풋사랑
Putsarang
Puppy love / innocent young love
More K-Drama Expressions Words
Related Articles
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice First Love and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
