What Does "Jagiya" Mean? Korean Pet Names for Your Partner
Jagiya (자기야) means honey, babe or darling in Korean. Learn who says it, how it differs from yeobo, and other sweet Korean pet names couples use for each other.
By a native Korean teacher · · 2 min read
Jagiya (자기야) is how Korean couples say "honey" or "babe." It is 자기 (jagi), a word that originally means "oneself," plus -야, the ending used to call someone. Dating couples use it most; married couples often switch to 여보 (yeobo).
Word at a glance
자기야jagiya
- Literally
- hey, self (one's own)
- In natural English
- honey, babe, darling
The basic meaning of jagiya
자기 literally means "self," as in 자기소개 (jagisogae), a self-introduction. Between partners it became an affectionate way to say "you," as if the other person were part of yourself. A popular explanation is exactly that: calling someone jagi treats them as your other half.
When you call out to your partner, you add -야 and say 자기야. When you talk about them or to them in the middle of a sentence, plain 자기 is enough.
자기야, 뭐 해?
Jagiya, mwo hae?
Babe, what are you doing?
자기는 뭐 먹을래?
Jagineun mwo meogeullae?
What do you want to eat, honey?
Who says jagiya?
Mostly couples who are dating, and both men and women use it. It sounds sweet and a bit cheesy, which is why K-drama characters sometimes say it with a wink or when teasing.
You may also hear 자기 used outside romance. Some middle-aged women call a younger woman they are friendly with 자기, a bit like "dear" in English. Context makes the difference clear.
Jagiya vs yeobo
여보 (yeobo) is the classic word for "honey" between married couples. It sounds settled and domestic, so unmarried couples rarely use it except as a joke. Many married couples use both, 자기야 in playful moments and 여보 in daily life.
여보, 저녁 먹었어?
Yeobo, jeonyeok meogeosseo?
Honey, did you have dinner?
Other Korean pet names
- 애기야 (aegiya): "baby," very sweet and a little cutesy
- 오빠 (oppa): what a woman calls an older boyfriend; in couples it can sound affectionate on its own
- 내 사랑 (nae sarang): "my love," more poetic and often used in messages
- 여보 (yeobo): "honey" between spouses
- Nicknames from the partner's name, such as the name plus -야 or -아 (Jimin-a), are also very common
자기야, 사랑해.
Jagiya, saranghae.
I love you, honey.
Can you use jagiya with friends?
Not usually. Between friends of the same age it sounds like flirting or a joke. If you want to be affectionate with a friend, use their name or a playful nickname instead.
Questions people ask
Is jagiya for boyfriends or girlfriends?+
Both. Men and women use it for their partner.
What is the difference between jagi and jagiya?+
Jagiya is used to call someone directly, like "Hey, babe!" Jagi is used inside a sentence, like "you" or "babe."
Is yeobo only for married couples?+
Mostly. Dating couples sometimes say it jokingly, but it usually signals marriage.
How do you reply when someone calls you jagiya?+
A simple 응? (eung?), "Yes?", is enough, or call them jagiya back.