Korean Dictionary
How to say "Saranghae (I love you casual)" in Korean
“Saranghae (I love you casual)” in Korean is 사랑해 (pronounced "Saranghae").
사랑해
Saranghae
Usage & Context
The casual form of 'I love you', used between intimate partners, close family members, and sometimes very close friends. Internationally recognized through K-pop and K-dramas. Unlike 사랑해요 (formal), 사랑해 is used with people you're on intimate terms with. A foundational phrase in Korean romantic culture.
Example Sentence
사랑해! 오늘도 최고야.
I love you! You're the best today too.
How to use 사랑해 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Saranghae (I love you casual)” is 사랑해, romanized as Saranghae.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
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 사랑해.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce 'Sa-rang-hae'. 'Sa' sounds like 'sa' in 'sad'. 'Rang' rhymes with 'rang' in 'rangy', making sure to pronounce the 'ng' sound clearly. 'Hae' sounds like 'heh' in 'hehe' or 'hay' without the 'y' sound.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
사랑해요
Saranghaeyo
This is the polite form, adding '-yo' to show respect. Used with elders, superiors, or people you're not intimately close with but still want to express affection politely.
More Example Sentences
A child expressing love and gratitude to their mother.
엄마, 사랑해! 항상 고마워.
Mom, I love you! Thank you always.
Someone expressing affection to their pet.
우리 강아지, 사랑해! 아프지 마.
My puppy, I love you! Don't be sick.
A close friend expressing deep appreciation and love to another friend.
친구야, 진짜 사랑해! 네가 있어서 힘이 나.
Friend, I truly love you! I get strength because I have you.
Cultural Context
사랑해 is a powerful and intimate expression. In K-dramas, it's a pivotal line in romantic scenes. In real life, Koreans tend to use it more sparingly than 'I love you' in English, often reserving it for very close family, romantic partners, or sometimes very best friends. It's common to see K-pop idols use it with their fans (often as '사랑해요' for politeness) or among group members to show camaraderie.
Editorial note
We review entries like 사랑해 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
진심으로 사랑해.
I truly love you.
널 사랑해.
I love you (specifically 'you').
사랑해, 자기야.
I love you, honey/darling.
Related Expressions
좋아해
Joahae
I like you (casual)
보고 싶어
Bogo sipeo
I miss you (casual)
고마워
Gomawo
Thank you (casual)
내 사랑
Nae sarang
My love
More Culture Words
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