😊 Expressing Likes and Dislikes in Korean – Beginner Level (TOPIK 1–2)
😊 Expressing Likes and Dislikes in Korean: "좋아해요" vs "싫어해요"
Do you love K-dramas or dislike spicy food? Teacher Hoon explains how to express your preferences naturally so you can share your feelings confidently in any conversation.
Master Your Preferences (EEAT Tip)
Talking about what you enjoy is the foundation of Beginner (TOPIK 1–2) small talk. As a teacher, I recommend focusing on the distinction between 좋아해요 (I like) and 좋아하지 않아요 (I don't like) to keep your speech polite and clear.
💡 Key Expressions at a Glance
| Korean | Romanization | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 좋아해요 | joahaeyo | I like (it) |
| 좋아하지 않아요 | joahaji anayo | I don't like (it) |
| 사랑해요 | saranghaeyo | I love (it) |
| 싫어해요 | silheohaeyo | I dislike (it) |
| 싫어요 | sireoyo | It's unpleasant / I don't like it |
💡 Teacher Hoon's Expert Particle Tip
In Korean, the object you like or dislike always takes the object marker 을/를. For example: 음악을 좋아해요 (I like music). Using the correct marker instantly makes you sound more like a native speaker!
🗣 Real-Life Example Sentences
저는 고양이를 좋아해요.
(I like cats.)
저는 고기를 좋아하지 않아요.
(I don't like meat.)
저는 비 오는 날을 싫어해요.
(I dislike rainy days.)
저는 초콜릿을 사랑해요.
(I love chocolate!)
💬 Practice Dialogue: Movie Night
A (Hoon): 어떤 영화를 좋아해요?
(What kind of movies do you like?)
B (Student): 저는 공포 영화를 좋아해요.
(I like horror movies.)
A: 코미디 영화는 어때요?
(How about comedy movies?)
B: 저는 코미디는 별로 안 좋아해요.
(I don't really like comedies.)
🏪 Cultural Insight: Convenience Store Hopping
Koreans love convenience stores! They are on almost every corner and offer hot food, cold drinks, and seating. Trying "convenience store hopping" is a favorite local activity. When you go, practice saying "이거 좋아해요!" (I like this!) about your favorite Korean snacks.
Want to Practice Your Preferences in Real Conversation?
Don't just memorize—speak! Book a 1:1 session with Hoon on italki, and we'll practice talking about your hobbies, favorite foods, and more with personalized feedback.
🚀 Practice Likes & Dislikes with Hoon
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