😊 Expressing Likes and Dislikes in Korean – Beginner Level (TOPIK 1–2)

Do you enjoy Korean dramas or hate crowded places? 😅 Then learning how to talk about your preferences in Korean is essential! In this post, you’ll learn how to say what you like, love, dislike, or even hate using simple and clear expressions. Let’s explore how to express your feelings confidently in Korean.

💡 Key Expressions

Korean	Romanization	English
좋아해요	joahaeyo	I like (it)
좋아하지 않아요	joahaji anayo	I don’t like (it)
사랑해요	saranghaeyo	I love (it/you)
싫어해요	silheohaeyo	I dislike (it)
싫어요	sireo-yo	I don’t like it / It’s unpleasant

🔹 좋아하다 (to like) is most commonly used for people, food, activities, or objects.
🔹 싫어하다 means to dislike something—stronger than “not like.”
🔹 사랑하다 is used when you want to express deep affection or love.

🗣 Example Sentences

저는 고양이를 좋아해요.
jeoneun goyangireul joahaeyo. → I like cats.
저는 고기를 좋아하지 않아요.
jeoneun gogireul joahaji anayo. → I don’t like meat.
저는 한국어를 사랑해요.
jeoneun hangugeoreul saranghaeyo. → I love the Korean language.
저는 비 오는 날을 싫어해요.
jeoneun bi oneun nareul silheohaeyo. → I dislike rainy days.
이 음악이 싫어요.
i eumagi sireoyo. → I don’t like this music.
저는 혼자 영화를 보는 걸 좋아해요.
jeoneun honja yeonghwareul boneun geol joahaeyo. → I like watching movies alone.
저는 등산을 싫어해요.
jeoneun deungsaneul silheohaeyo. → I dislike hiking.
저는 초콜릿을 사랑해요.
jeoneun chokolliseul saranghaeyo. → I love chocolate!

🎯 How to Use with Nouns

In Korean, the object you like or dislike takes the object marker 을/를:

음악을 좋아해요. → I like music.
야채를 싫어해요. → I don’t like vegetables.
게임을 좋아하지 않아요. → I don’t like games.

📌 Did You Know?

Koreans love convenience stores—and for a good reason! They offer hot food, cold drinks, seating, microwave access, and even ATMs. You can find them on almost every corner in Korea! 🏪🍜 Next time you're in Korea, try “convenience store hopping” like the locals do!

💬 Practice Dialogue

A: 어떤 영화를 좋아해요?
eotteon yeonghwareul joahaeyo?
What kind of movies do you like?

B: 저는 공포 영화를 좋아해요.
jeoneun gongpo yeonghwareul joahaeyo.
I like horror movies.

A: 코미디 영화는 어때요?
komidi yeonghwaneun eottaeyo?
How about comedy movies?

B: 저는 코미디는 별로 안 좋아해요.
jeoneun komidineun byeollo an joahaeyo.
I don’t really like comedies.

🎓 Learn More with italki!

Want to express your likes and dislikes in real conversations? Join my personalized Korean lessons on italki. Practice speaking naturally and build your confidence one phrase at a time! 🎯🗣️

💡 Final Thoughts:
Whether you love spicy food or dislike waking up early, now you can talk about it in Korean! Practice these expressions with friends or your tutor. Try making your own sentences about food, music, or hobbies you like or don’t like. 💬💖 With time, saying “좋아해요!” will come naturally!