How to Say "I Love You" in Fifteen Languages
The words for 'I love you' in fifteen languages, with pronunciation hints and notes on how some languages have different words for romantic and family love.
A few words in someone's own language can mean a great deal. Here is how to say "I love you" in fifteen languages, with rough pronunciations.
The phrases
| Language | Phrase | Rough pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Te quiero / Te amo | teh KYEH-roh / teh AH-moh |
| French | Je t'aime | zhuh TEM |
| German | Ich liebe dich | ikh LEE-buh dikh |
| Italian | Ti amo | tee AH-moh |
| Portuguese | Eu te amo | eh-oo chee AH-moo |
| Japanese | 愛してる (aishiteru) | eye-SHEE-teh-roo |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ) | wo eye nee |
| Korean | 사랑해 (saranghae) | sah-rahng-HAY |
| Hindi | मैं तुमसे प्यार करता हूँ (main tumse pyaar karta hoon; करती for women) | main TOOM-seh pyaar KUR-tah hoon |
| Arabic | أحبك (uhibbuka to a man, uhibbuki to a woman) | oo-HIB-boo-ka / oo-HIB-boo-ki |
| Russian | ya tebya lyublyu (written in Cyrillic script) | yah teh-BYAH lyoo-BLYOO |
| Turkish | Seni seviyorum | seh-NEE seh-vee-YOH-room |
| Swahili | Nakupenda | nah-koo-PEN-dah |
| Greek | Σ' αγαπώ (s'agapó) | sah-gah-POH |
| Irish | Tá grá agam duit | taw GRAW AH-gum ditch |
Different kinds of love
Some languages use different words for romantic love and for love of family or friends:
- Spanish: Te quiero is warm and everyday, while te amo is a stronger romantic declaration in many regions.
- Italian: Ti amo is for romantic love; ti voglio bene ("I wish you well") is for family and friends.
- Japanese: 好きだよ (suki da yo, "I like you") is a gentle way to say it, while 愛してる is a stronger declaration that many people use rarely.
Tips for saying it
- Learn one phrase well rather than many badly.
- Ask a native speaker to check your pronunciation.
- Say it warmly and simply.
- Be aware of cultural context. In some cultures, "I love you" is said less often and means a lot.
Writing it
You can write the phrase in a card or message. If you use a non-Latin script, such as Chinese, Korean or Greek, check spelling with a native speaker or a dictionary.
A lighthearted use
A short phrase in another language can be a fun surprise for a partner or friend, alongside a quote from a library like the one in True Love Calculator, an app made for playful, entertainment-only fun.
Tips
- Choose a language that matters to your partner.
- Learn the pronunciation.
- Add a personal line.
True Love Calculator
A fun love percentage calculator, plus love quotes to send
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