What does 좋아해 (joahae) mean?
- 좋아해joahae
I like you
Casual: friends and people younger than you
좋아해 (joahae) means "I like you" in Korean, and it is the classic way to confess a crush. It is casual, and it also works for liking things, like food, music or a hobby.
Where it comes from
It comes from 좋아하다 (joahada), "to like," which is built on 좋다 (to be good). 해 is the casual present-tense ending.
How to use 좋아해
In a romantic scene, 좋아해 is the big confession, a step before 사랑해 (I love you). Many Korean couples say 좋아해 for a long time before saying 사랑해.
With things, it just means you like them: 커피 좋아해 is "I like coffee." Context makes it clear which meaning is meant.
The h in 좋 is silent here, so it sounds like "jo-a-hae." Use 좋아해요 with people you are not close to.
Examples
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Confessing to a classmate
Introducing yourself at a club
Teasing a friend about a crush
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| 좋아해요 | I like (it/you) (polite) | Polite form. |
| 좋아합니다 | I like (it/you) (formal) | Formal form. |
| 너 좋아해 | I like you | Casual confession with "you" included. |
| 좋아한다 | I like (you) | Plain form; sounds firm, common in dramas. |
Hear it in songs
Real lines from songs broken down on Hanbok. Open a song to see every line explained.
Questions learners ask
What is the difference between joahae and saranghae?
좋아해 is "I like you" and 사랑해 is "I love you." In dating, 좋아해 is usually the first confession and 사랑해 comes later.
Can joahae be used for things?
Yes. You can say you like food, music, a person or a hobby with 좋아해.