I love you, good luck and other warm phrases in Korean
화이팅, 사랑해, 생일 축하해 — the phrases Koreans use to cheer each other on, and the ones that are easy to say at the wrong moment.
화이팅 (hwaiting) — 화이팅, from the English word “fighting” — is the all-purpose “you can do it”, shouted before exams, matches and job interviews. For someone who is having a hard time rather than facing a challenge, 힘내 (“cheer up”, literally “find your strength”) fits better, and 응원할게 (eungwonhalge) says you are behind them.
사랑해 (saranghae) is said more freely than the old stereotype suggests: couples text it, and plenty of adults say 사랑해요 to their parents. It is still a word for family and partners, not for coworkers.
Compliments are frequent and quick. 예뻐 (yeppeo) and 완전 예쁘다 (wanjeon yeppeuda) are used for people, babies, food and phone cases alike. When someone compliments you, a modest 아니에요 (“oh, no”) is the classic reply; 고마워요 is fine too.
Birthdays come with their own song (생일 축하합니다) and, traditionally, a bowl of seaweed soup (미역국) in the morning — the soup mothers eat after giving birth. 생일 축하해 (saengil chukahae) is 생일 축하해 to a friend and 생일 축하드려요 to someone older.
The 10 phrases on this page
Hear it in a real conversation
Wishing a friend luck before an exam. Press play on any line to hear it.
- A 내일 시험이지? 화이팅!naeil siheomiji? hwaiting!Your exam's tomorrow, right? You've got this!
- B 너무 떨려.neomu tteollyeo.I'm so nervous.
- A 걱정하지 마. 너 진짜 열심히 했잖아. 응원할게!geokjeonghaji ma. neo jinjja yeolsimhi haetjana. eungwonhalge!Don't worry. You worked really hard. I'm rooting for you!
- B 고마워. 끝나면 연락할게.gomawo. kkeunnamyeon yeollakalge.Thanks. I'll message you when it's over.
- A 그래, 끝나면 맛있는 거 사 줄게. 조심히 가!geurae, kkeunnamyeon masinneun geo sa julge. josimhi ga!Okay — I'll treat you to something good after. Get home safe!
How to say “Good luck” in Korean
화이팅
hwaiting
Literally: Fighting!
Not really good luck - it is you got this. Koreans shout it before exams, games, interviews and hard days. It comes from the English word fighting.
Polite form
- 화이팅하세요hwaitinghaseyoUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 파이팅paiting= Fighting (alt spelling)Same word. Both spellings are everywhere.
- 잘 봐jal bwa= Do well (on the test)Specifically before an exam.
- 행운을 빌어haeng-uneul bireo= I wish you luckThe literal translation - but it sounds bookish. 화이팅 is what people say.
In a sentence
- 시험 화이팅!siheom hwaiting!Good luck on your exam!
- 오늘도 화이팅!oneuldo hwaiting!You got this today!
How people answer
- 고마워, 화이팅!gomawo, hwaiting!= Thanks — you too!It is normal to say 화이팅 straight back.
How to say “I will be cheering you on” in Korean
응원할게
eungwonhalge
Literally: I will cheer.
Said when you cannot help directly but want the person to know you are on their side. Koreans say it at goodbyes, before exams, and when someone starts something hard. It carries more warmth than 화이팅, which is a shout.
Polite form
- 응원할게요eungwonhalgeyoUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 멀리서 응원할게요meolliseo eungwonhalgeyo= I will be cheering you on from afarThe line from the video. 멀리서 (from a distance) is what makes it tender rather than casual.
- 항상 응원할게hangsang eungwonhalge= I will always be cheering you on항상 (always) turns it into a promise.
- 화이팅hwaiting= You can do itFrom English fighting. A shout of encouragement, not a quiet promise. Use it for a match, not for a farewell.
In a sentence
- 멀리서 응원할게.meolliseo eungwonhalge.I will be cheering you on from afar.
- 시험 잘 봐. 응원할게요.siheom jal bwa. eungwonhalgeyo.Do well on the exam. I will be cheering you on.
How people answer
- 고마워, 힘낼게.gomawo, himnaelge.= Thanks, I'll do my best.힘내다 = to find your strength.
How to say “Good job” in Korean
잘했어
jalhaesseo
Literally: You did well.
Past tense, because you are praising something already done. Careful with the casual form - praising someone older sounds presumptuous in Korean.
Polite form
- 잘하셨어요jalhasyeosseoyoUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 수고했어sugohaesseo= Good work / thanks for your effortFor effort rather than result. Said at the end of a shift, a project, a long day. There is no clean English equivalent.
- 고생했어gosaenghaesseo= You went through a lotWarmer than 수고했어, for something that was genuinely hard.
- 최고야choegoya= You are the bestEnthusiastic praise between friends.
In a sentence
- 시험 잘 봤어? 잘했어!siheom jal bwasseo? jalhaesseo!Did the exam go well? Good job!
- 오늘 고생했어요.oneul gosaenghaesseoyo.You worked hard today.
How people answer
- 고마워. 덕분이야.gomawo. deokbuniya.= Thanks. It's thanks to you.Korean politeness likes to pass the credit back.
How to say “I love you” in Korean
사랑해
saranghae
Literally: I love.
Korean drops the I and the you - the verb alone carries it. Said to partners, family and close friends, but far less casually than in English.
Polite form
- 사랑해요saranghaeyoUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 사랑합니다saranghamnida= I love you (formal)Weddings, letters, on stage. Weighty.
- 좋아해joahae= I like youThis is the confession word for a new crush. 사랑해 is a big step past it.
In a sentence
- 엄마, 사랑해.eomma, saranghae.Mom, I love you.
- 나도 사랑해.nado saranghae.I love you too.
How people answer
- 나도 사랑해.nado saranghae.= I love you too.Put 나도 (me too) in front.
How to say “You are pretty” in Korean
예뻐
yeppeo
Literally: Pretty.
Korean compliments drop the subject. Just the adjective is the whole sentence.
Polite form
- 예뻐요yeppeoyoUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 귀여워gwiyeowo= You are cuteFor cute rather than pretty.
- 잘생겼어jalsaenggyeosseo= You are handsomeThe word used for men.
- 멋있어meosisseo= You are coolNot about looks alone - it covers style and bearing. Works for anyone.
In a sentence
- 오늘 진짜 예뻐.oneul jinjja yeppeo.You look really pretty today.
- 그 옷 잘 어울려.geu ot jal eoullyeo.That outfit suits you.
How people answer
- 에이, 아니야.ei, aniya.= Oh, stop it.Brushing a compliment off first is the polite reflex in Korean.
How to say “So cute” in Korean
완전 예쁘다
wanjeon yeppeuda
Literally: Completely pretty.
Here is the trap. For clothes, bags, cafes and anything you buy or wear, Koreans say pretty, not cute. Calling a jacket 귀여워 sounds odd.
Polite form
- 완전 예뻐요wanjeon yeppeoyoUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 너무 귀여워neomu gwiyeowo= So cute (adorable)This one is for babies, puppies and small living things. Also for a person behaving endearingly.
- 대박 예쁘다daebak yeppeuda= Ridiculously pretty대박 as an intensifier. Casual and enthusiastic.
In a sentence
- 이거 완전 예쁘다.igeo wanjeon yeppeuda.This is so cute.
- 강아지가 너무 귀여워요.gangajiga neomu gwiyeowoyo.The puppy is so cute.
How to say “Happy birthday” in Korean
생일 축하해
saengil chukahae
Literally: I congratulate your birthday.
Korean does not wish you a happy one - it congratulates you on it. The verb is 축하하다, the same one used for graduations, weddings and promotions.
Polite form
- 생일 축하해요saengil chukahaeyoUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 생일 축하합니다saengil chukahamnida= Happy birthday (formal)To someone older or at work. This is also the line in the birthday song.
- 축하해chukahae= CongratulationsDrop 생일 and it works for any good news at all.
- 태어나 줘서 고마워taeeona jwoseo gomawo= Thank you for being bornSentimental, and very common in messages to someone close.
In a sentence
- 생일 축하해! 선물 준비했어.saengil chukahae! seonmul junbihaesseo.Happy birthday! I got you a present.
- 늦었지만 생일 축하해요.neujeotjiman saengil chukahaeyo.Happy belated birthday.
How people answer
- 고마워!gomawo!= Thanks!A simple thank-you is all it needs.
How to say “Be careful” in Korean
조심해
josimhae
Literally: Be careful.
A warning, and also a goodbye - Koreans say it to someone heading out into rain, traffic or a long drive.
Polite form
- 조심하세요josimhaseyoUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 조심히 가josimhi ga= Get home safeWhat you say as someone leaves. Extremely common and warm.
- 위험해wiheomhae= It is dangerousSharper, for something actually unsafe right now.
In a sentence
- 계단 조심해.gyedan josimhae.Careful on the stairs.
- 눈 오니까 조심히 가세요.nun onikka josimhi gaseyo.It is snowing, so get home safe.
How people answer
- 응, 너도 조심해.eung, neodo josimhae.= Okay, you too.
How to say “Call me / text me” in Korean
연락해
yeollakae
Literally: Make contact.
Korean has one word covering call, text and message. 연락 means contact of any kind, which is why it works for all of them.
Polite form
- 연락하세요yeollakaseyoUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 연락할게yeollakalge= I'll get in touchThe 을게 ending is a promise about your own action.
- 카톡해katokae= KakaoTalk me카톡 is the messaging app everyone uses, and it has become a verb.
- 전화해jeonhwahae= Call me (on the phone)Specifically a voice call.
In a sentence
- 도착하면 연락해.dochakamyeon yeollakae.Text me when you arrive.
- 나중에 연락할게요.najunge yeollakalgeyo.I'll be in touch later.
How people answer
- 응, 연락할게.eung, yeollakalge.= Okay, I'll be in touch.
How to say “I'm on my way” in Korean
가는 중이야
ganeun jung-iya
Literally: I am in the middle of going.
The 는 중 pattern means in the middle of doing. Drop any verb into it and you have a progressive - useful for every I'm currently ___ message you send.
Polite form
- 가는 중이에요ganeun jung-ieyoUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 거의 다 왔어geoui da wasseo= I'm almost thereLiterally I have almost all come. What people actually text.
- 먹는 중이야meongneun jung-iya= I'm eating right nowSame 는 중 pattern with a different verb.
In a sentence
- 지금 가는 중이야.jigeum ganeun jung-iya.I'm on my way now.
- 거의 다 왔어요, 5분만요.geoui da wasseoyo, obunmanyo.I'm almost there, just five minutes.
How people answer
- 알겠어, 조심히 와.algesseo, josimhi wa.= Okay, get here safe.
Mistakes learners make
- 화이팅 to someone who is grieving화이팅 is for a challenge. For loss or illness, use 힘내세요 or simply 괜찮아요? (“are you okay?”).
- 예쁘다 for a man예쁘다 is pretty. For a man, the compliment is 잘생겼다 (“handsome”) — 예쁘다 can sound like teasing, unless it is about his clothes or his photo.
- Casual 생일 축하해 to someone olderUse 생일 축하드려요 for a teacher, a boss or a friend’s parent.
Practise these. Every phrase here is in the phrase quiz — five rounds, no sign-up. Not reading Hangul yet? Start with the alphabet in 20 minutes, and see the speech levels guide for when to use the polite forms.