Understanding how to express your likes and dislikes is crucial for engaging in meaningful conversations and making connections in Korean. In Lesson 17, we’ll explore how to articulate your preferences and ask others about theirs. This post provides over 50 example sentences to help you practice expressing likes, dislikes, and preferences in Korean.

1. Basic Phrases for Expressing Likes

Start with fundamental phrases for stating what you like:

Examples:

1. 저는 [activity/food]을/를 좋아해요. (Jeoneun [activity/food] eul/reul joahaeyo.) - I like [activity/food].
2. 나는 [activity/food]을/를 좋아해요. (Naneun [activity/food] eul/reul joahaeyo.) - I like [activity/food].
3. [activity/food]이/가 좋다. ([Activity/food] i/ga jota.) - [Activity/food] is good.
4. 저는 [activity/food]을/를 즐겨요. (Jeoneun [activity/food] eul/reul jeulgyeoyo.) - I enjoy [activity/food].
5. [activity/food]을/를 좋아하는 편이에요. ([Activity/food] eul/reul joahaneun pyeonieyo.) - I tend to like [activity/food].

2. Basic Phrases for Expressing Dislikes

Learn how to express what you don’t like:

Examples: 

6. 저는 [activity/food]을/를 싫어해요. (Jeoneun [activity/food] eul/reul silheohaeyo.) - I dislike [activity/food]. 

7. 나는 [activity/food]을/를 싫어해요. (Naneun [activity/food] eul/reul silheohaeyo.) - I dislike [activity/food]. 

8. [activity/food]이/가 싫어요. ([Activity/food] i/ga silheoyo.) - I don’t like [activity/food]. 

9. [activity/food]이/가 별로예요. ([Activity/food] i/ga byeolloyeyo.) - [Activity/food] is not great. 

10. 저는 [activity/food]이/가 별로예요. (Jeoneun [activity/food] i/ga byeolloyeyo.) - I don’t really like [activity/food].

3. Asking About Others’ Preferences

Find out what others like or dislike:

Examples: 

11. 당신은 [activity/food]을/를 좋아해요? (Dangshineun [activity/food] eul/reul joahaeyo?) - Do you like [activity/food]? 

12. [activity/food]을/를 좋아하나요? ([Activity/food] eul/reul joahanayo?) - Do you like [activity/food]? 

13. [activity/food]에 대해 어떻게 생각하세요? ([Activity/food] e daehae eotteohke saenggakhaseyo?) - What do you think about [activity/food]? 

14. 당신은 [activity/food]을/를 싫어하나요? (Dangshineun [activity/food] eul/reul silheohanayo?) - Do you dislike [activity/food]? 

15. [activity/food]을/를 어떻게 생각해요? ([Activity/food] eul/reul eotteohke saenggakhaeyo?) - What do you think of [activity/food]?

4. Expressing Preferences in Different Contexts

Use these phrases for various situations:

Examples: 

16. 저는 영화 보는 것을 좋아해요. (Jeoneun yeonghwa boneun geoseul joahaeyo.) - I like watching movies. 

17. 나는 매운 음식을 좋아해요. (Naneun maeun eumsigeul joahaeyo.) - I like spicy food. 

18. 저는 차를 마시는 것을 좋아해요. (Jeoneun chareul masineun geoseul joahaeyo.) - I like drinking tea. 

19. 저는 운동을 싫어해요. (Jeoneun undongeul silheohaeyo.) - I dislike exercising. 

20. 나는 집에서 쉬는 것을 좋아해요. (Naneun jibeseo swineun geoseul joahaeyo.) - I like relaxing at home.

5. Discussing Preferences for Activities

Talk about likes and dislikes related to activities:

Examples: 

21. 저는 산책하는 것을 좋아해요. (Jeoneun sanchaekhaneun geoseul joahaeyo.) - I like taking walks. 

22. 나는 여행하는 것을 좋아해요. (Naneun yeohaenghaneun geoseul joahaeyo.) - I like traveling. 

23. 저는 요리를 하는 것을 즐겨요. (Jeoneun yorireul haneun geoseul jeulgyeoyo.) - I enjoy cooking. 

24. 저는 비디오 게임을 싫어해요. (Jeoneun bidio geim eul silheohaeyo.) - I dislike playing video games. 

25. 나는 음악 듣는 것을 좋아해요. (Naneun eumak deutneun geoseul joahaeyo.) - I like listening to music.

6. Talking About Food Preferences

Discuss food-related likes and dislikes:

Examples: 

26. 저는 초콜릿을 좋아해요. (Jeoneun chokolliseul joahaeyo.) - I like chocolate. 

27. 나는 채식 음식을 좋아해요. (Naneun chaesik eumsigeul joahaeyo.) - I like vegetarian food. 

28. 저는 해산물을 싫어해요. (Jeoneun haesanmureul silheohaeyo.) - I dislike seafood. 

29. 나는 디저트를 좋아해요. (Naneun dijeteureul joahaeyo.) - I like desserts. 

30. 저는 매운 음식을 싫어해요. (Jeoneun maeun eumsigeul silheohaeyo.) - I dislike spicy food.

7. Expressing Preferences for Entertainment

Use these phrases for entertainment-related preferences:

Examples: 

31. 저는 로맨틱 영화를 좋아해요. (Jeoneun romaentik yeonghwa reul joahaeyo.) - I like romantic movies. 

32. 나는 코미디 영화를 좋아해요. (Naneun komidi yeonghwa reul joahaeyo.) - I like comedy movies. 

33. 저는 클래식 음악을 좋아해요. (Jeoneun keullaesik eumageul joahaeyo.) - I like classical music. 

34. 나는 스릴러 영화를 싫어해요. (Naneun seureilleo yeonghwa reul silheohaeyo.) - I dislike thriller movies. 

35. 저는 팝 음악을 싫어해요. (Jeoneun pap eumageul silheohaeyo.) - I dislike pop music.

8. Expressing Preferences for Hobbies

Discuss your hobbies and preferences:

Examples: 

36. 저는 독서를 좋아해요. (Jeoneun dokseoreul joahaeyo.) - I like reading books. 

37. 나는 사진 찍는 것을 좋아해요. (Naneun sajin jjikneun geoseul joahaeyo.) - I like taking photos. 

38. 저는 자전거 타는 것을 즐겨요. (Jeoneun jajeongeo taneun geoseul jeulgyeoyo.) - I enjoy riding bicycles. 

39. 나는 그림 그리는 것을 싫어해요. (Naneun geurim geurineun geoseul silheohaeyo.) - I dislike drawing. 

40. 저는 춤추는 것을 좋아해요. (Jeoneun chumchuneun geoseul joahaeyo.) - I like dancing.

9. Asking About General Preferences

Ask about general likes and dislikes:

Examples: 

41. 어떤 음식을 좋아하세요? (Eotteon eumsigeul joahaseyo?) - What kind of food do you like? 

42. 무엇을 하는 것을 좋아하세요? (Mueoseul haneun geoseul joahaseyo?) - What do you like to do? 

43. 좋아하는 색깔이 무엇인가요? (Joahaneun saekkkal i mueosingayo?) - What is your favorite color? 

44. 가장 좋아하는 계절은 무엇인가요? (Gajang joahaneun gyejeoreun mueosingayo?) - What is your favorite season? 

45. 어떤 종류의 음악을 좋아하나요? (Eotteon jongryu ui eumageul joahanayo?) - What kind of music do you like?

10. Discussing Preferences in Social Settings

Use these phrases to discuss preferences in social situations:

Examples: 

46. 이 모임에서 무엇을 가장 좋아하나요? (I moimeseo mueoseul gajang joahannayo?) - What do you like most about this gathering? 

47. 함께 하고 싶은 활동이 있나요? (Hamkke hago sipeun hwaldongi innayo?) - Are there any activities you want to do together? 

48. 주말에 무엇을 하고 싶으세요? (Jumare mueoseul hago sipeuseyo?) - What would you like to do on the weekend? 

49. 이 레스토랑에서 어떤 음식을 좋아하나요? (I reseutorange seo eotteon eumsigeul joahanayo?) - What kind of food do you like at this restaurant? 

50. 나중에 무엇을 해볼까요? (Najunge mueoseul haebolkka요?) - What should we do later?

Conclusion

Mastering how to express likes and dislikes in Korean will enhance your ability to communicate personal preferences and engage in conversations about interests and tastes. With these 50+ example sentences, you can confidently articulate your preferences and inquire about others’ likes and dislikes.