Love, Dating, and Romance (Discussion, Vocabulary, Quotes, & Idioms)

Materials

Videos:

Articles:

Discussion Questions
(if any topic is too personal, feel free to pass by saying something like “I’d rather not say” )

How have your ideas about love and romance changed over time?
Do you have a significant other? If so, where did you meet him/her?
Why did you decide to date/marry them?
What’s most important to you in a partner: appearance, money, personality, family background, …?
How old were you when you went on your first date?
Where did you go? What did you do? Who did you go with?
What kind of pressure or advice did you get from your parents about dating or getting married?
What advice will you give to your children?
Have your parents ever disapproved of any of your relationships?
What was the most boring/interesting date you’ve ever been on?
What is your ‘love language’? Your partner’s?
Words of affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality time, Physical touch
Are you comfortable saying ‘I love you’ to your partner? How often do you say it?
How would you describe the different love you have for…. a partner, parents, siblings, friends, pets?
At what age do you think it’s appropriate to start dating?
What are the most important ingredients to maintaining a healthy, long-lasting relationship?
How long should a couple date before they decide to get married?
(If you’re married, how long did you wait?)
How important is getting married? Could you be (are you) happy staying single?
How do you think dating, romance, and marriage are different in different countries?
Do you believe in love at first sight? soulmates? love destiny? Have you ever experienced these?
Describe your perfect date. (could be a 부부 date)
Do you think it’s OK to live together before getting married?
What are the biggest love and dating differences between you and your parents’ generations?
Do you think it’s OK to kiss on a first date? How comfortable are you with PDA?
Do you think it’s OK to ‘ghost’ someone? Have you ever done it? Has it happened to you?
What do you think about dating apps? What’s the best way to meet people you want to date?
Would you prefer to go out with a quiet or talkative person?
What do you think about dating a friend’s ex-girlfriend or ex-boyfriend?
Do you think it’s a good idea to cohabitate (live together) before deciding to get married?
Do you think men and women can be ‘just friends’ with no romantic feelings?
What is your favorite movie or song about love?
Are anniversaries important? How would you feel if your partner forgot an anniversary or birthday?
What are important communication skills when talking with your partner?
If you are married, how was your wedding? Fun, stressful, amazing? Where did you go on your honeymoon?
Any special experiences on Valentine’s Day? White Day? Black Day?

Questions to Ask on a Date

Relationship Questions

Why did you and your last boy/girlfriend break up?
Do you want to have children? How many? Why? How important is family to you?
Of all the people you know, who has the best/worst relationship? Why?
How do you deal with disagreements in a relationship? Avoidance or confrontation?
What are the most important things you’re looking for in a significant other?
Would you prefer to have a career, be a stay-at-home parent, or both?
Describe your perfect date.
Would you need/want to live with (or near) your parents after getting married?
In an argument between your spouse and parent, whose side would you be on?
What are your dating ‘red flags’ or ‘deal breakers’?
How do you think husbands and wives should divide housework and childcare duties?
How often do you want to meet/talk to/text your significant other?
What are your biggest hopes and concerns about getting married?
Pre-marriage Questions from NPR’s LifeKit
Is there anything you’re not willing to give up when you get married?
How do you feel about your partner doing things (hobbies, travel, social meetings) without you?
When you were growing up, how did your family handle conflict?
What is the most you’d be willing to spend on…. shoes, a lamp, a watch, a car, etc?
If we have children, will you get up at 3am to change diapers or skip a business meeting if our child is sick?

Finding out about your date’s hobbies and interests:

What makes you happy/sad/angry? What makes you laugh?
Are you more of a city or country person?
How would your best friend describe you?
What is your dream job? What are your career plans?
What color best describes your personality?
What are you most passionate about?
What do you consider your best/worst attributes?
When do you feel most like yourself?
What did you do last weekend? What do you do for fun?
What song(s) are you listening to these days?
What are your favorite smells?
What is the last movie you saw?
IPhone or Samsung? Burger or pizza? Mountain or beach? Beer or Soju? Rice or noodles?
Who is your hero or role model?
What book are you reading at the moment?
What is your favorite takeout meal?
Do you like to travel? Where would you like to go? What is your favorite place on Earth?
If you won the lottery how would you spend your winnings?
What time in history would you have liked to be born in and why?
What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?
Are you a night owl or an early bird?
If you have friends coming for dinner what would you cook?
In what ways are you weird?

Vocabulary

Abstinence (금욕) – The act of refraining from sexual activity.
Some people choose abstinence until they get married.

Adore (좋아하다) – To love and admire someone deeply.
She adores her new puppy.

Affection (애정) – A feeling of fondness or liking towards someone.
She shows her affection by hugging her children.

Be on the rocks (위태롭다) – When a romantic relationship is experiencing difficulties or is about to end.
Their relationship is on the rocks due to frequent arguments.

Chemistry (화학반응) – A strong mutual attraction or connection between two people.
They have great chemistry and always have a good time together.

Cherish (소중히 여기다) – To hold something or someone dear and treat them with love and care.
She cherishes the necklace her grandmother gave her.

Cohabitation (동거) – Living together as a romantic couple without being married.
They decided to try cohabitation before getting married.

Deal breaker (탈락요인) – A problem or issue that leads to the end of a relationship.
Cheating is a deal breaker for many people in a romantic relationship.

Flirt (농담하듯 말하다) – To show romantic interest in someone through playful behavior or conversation.
She likes to flirt with her crush by teasing him.

Friends with benefits (친구 + 성적 관계) – A non-romantic relationship between two people who have sexual relations with each other.
They are friends with benefits and enjoy spending time together.

Get hitched (결혼하다) – To get married.
They are planning to get hitched in the summer.

Go through a rough patch (어려움을 겪다) – To experience a difficult period in a relationship.
They went through a rough patch after he lost his job.

Hit on someone (관심을 보이다) – To show romantic or sexual interest in someone.
He hit on her by complimenting her appearance.

Hook up (만나서 섹스하다) – To have a casual sexual encounter with someone.
They hooked up after meeting at a party.

Libido (성욕) – A person’s sexual drive or desire.
Stress can sometimes affect a person’s libido.

Lovey-dovey (사랑에 빠져 쓰다듬거리는) – Expressing a lot of love or affection in a very sentimental way.
They are always lovey-dovey and can’t keep their hands off each other.

Lust (욕망) – A strong desire for sexual pleasure.
Lust can sometimes cloud a person’s judgment.

Make out (키스하다) – To kiss passionately.
They made out in the back of the movie theater.

Monogamous (일부 파트너에게만 충실한) – Being committed to one romantic partner at a time.
They have a monogamous relationship and are only dating each other.

On again, off again (갈등하는) – A relationship that has frequent breakups and reconciliations.
They have an on-again, off-again relationship and it’s hard to keep up.

One night stand (일회용 섹스) – A sexual encounter with someone that is not expected to lead to a long-term relationship.
She had a one-night stand with a stranger she met at a bar.

PDA (공공연한 애정표현) – Public displays of affection.
They are not shy about showing PDA and often hold hands in public.

Platonic (친절한) – A relationship that is not romantic or sexual in nature.
They have a platonic friendship and enjoy each other’s company.

Polyamorous (다수 파트너와 관계를 가진) – Having multiple romantic or sexual partners at the same time with the consent of all parties involved.
They are in a polyamorous relationship and are seeing other people besides each other.

Possessive (소유욕이 강한) – A behavior that involves wanting to control or own someone or something.
He was possessive of his girlfriend and didn’t like her spending time with other guys.

Puppy love (어린애정) – An intense but often short-lived romantic infatuation that is typically experienced in adolescence.
They had a cute puppy love relationship in high school.

Red flag (주의해야할 신호) – A warning sign or signal that something is not right in a relationship.
She noticed some red flags in her partner’s behavior and decided to talk to him about it.

Significant other (중요한 인연) – A term used to refer to a person’s romantic partner.
She introduced her significant other to her parents for the first time.

Spark (화끈한 느낌) – A strong attraction or connection between two people.
There was a spark between them from the moment they met.

Stormy relationship (폭풍우 같은 인간관계) – A relationship that is characterized by frequent arguments and emotional turbulence.
Their stormy relationship was taking a toll on their mental health.

Term of endearment (애칭) – A word or phrase used to express affection towards someone.
“Honey” is a term of endearment that couples often use for each other.
Examples: darling , love, pet , babe/baby, cutey pie, honey bunny, angel, sweetie, sweetheart, dear, sugar, hon

Tie the knot (결혼하다) – To get married.
They decided to tie the knot after being in a long-term relationship.

Tingly feeling (감촉적인 느낌) – A physical sensation of excitement or nervousness.
She felt a tingly feeling in her stomach when she saw her crush.

To click (친해지다) – To have a strong connection or understanding with someone.
They clicked immediately and became good friends.

To dump someone (씻어버리다) – To end a relationship with someone.
He decided to dump his girlfriend because they had grown apart.

To have a crush (좋아하다) – To have a romantic interest in someone.
She has had a crush on him since they met in college.

To have the hots for someone (섹시한 느낌을 받다) – To feel a strong physical attraction to someone.
She had the hots for the new guy in the office and couldn’t stop thinking about him

Love Saying & Quotations

Which of these sayings ‘ring true’? Which do you agree with or disagree with?

True love comes quietly, without banners or flashing lights. If you hear bells, get your ears checked.
A simple “I love you” means more than money.
We are most alive when we’re in love.
Love is an endless act of forgiveness.
Love is friendship that has caught fire.
I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.
“Love isn’t something natural. Rather it requires discipline, concentration, patience, faith, and the overcoming of narcissism. It isn’t a feeling, it is a practice.”
“There are all kinds of reasons that you fall in love with one person rather than another: Timing is important. Proximity is important. Mystery is important.”
“You know it’s love when all you want is that person to be happy, even if you’re not part of their happiness.”
“Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.”
“I’m just a big believer in ‘you must love yourself before you can love anybody else’ and I think for me that breeds the most inspired relationships.”
“Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place.”
Love does not dominate; it cultivates.
You don’t marry someone you can live with — you marry someone you cannot live without.
I love being married. It’s so great to find one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life.
Some love stories aren’t epic novels. Some are short stories, but that doesn’t make them any less filled with love.
Never love anyone who treats you like you’re ordinary.
You know that tingly little feeling you get when you like someone? That is your common sense leaving your body.
I want someone who will look at me the same way I look at chocolate cake.
I love you with all my belly. I would say heart, but my belly is bigger.
Love; A temporary insanity curable by marriage.
I love you more than coffee, but please don’t make me prove it.
Sometimes I look at my boyfriend and think… Damn, he is one lucky man.
Forever is a long time, make sure you spend it with someone who makes you laugh!
The four most important words in any marriage: “I’ll do the dishes”.
Love at first sight is possible, but it pays to take a second look.
What’s the difference between a boyfriend and a husband? About 10kg.