How to Say I Love You in 20 Languages (+ Romantic Phrases)

The romantic phrase “I love you” is said around the world in every language. These sweet words are spoken to profess emotions of fondness, desire, affection, and admiration for another person. Discover 20 ways to say “I love you” in different languages, as well as some additional romantic phrases. You never know when you might want to say those words or otherwise express feelings of love in other ways.

Saying I Love You in Different Languages

Saying “I love you” in another language can be a sweet way to show your affection. Learn this simple phrase in a language other than the one you typically use to show your loved one that they are special. To make the phrase something unique to you and your loved one, speaking or writing it in another language is a warm and touching gesture. This gesture is sure to impress and grab their attention. Your loved one is sure to feel loved when you master the art of saying “I love you” in many languages.

• Arabic (modern) – Ana uhibbuka (ah-nah oo-heh-boo-ka), Uhibbuki (oo-heh-boo-kee)
• Danish – Jeg elsker dig (yay els-ka dah)
• Dutch – Ik hou van jou (ick how fan yow)
• Finnish – Mina rakastan sinua (mee-na rah-ka-stahn see-noo-ah)
• French – Je t’aime (Zhuh tem)
• German – Ich liebe dich (Ick leebuh dik)
• Greek – S’agapo (seg-app-oh)
• Hawaiian – Aloha wau ia ‘oe (a-loh-ha vaoo ea-ah oh-eh)
• Italian – Ti amo (Tee ah-mo)
• Japanese – Aishiteru (ay-she-tay-ee-roo)
• Korean – Sarang hae (sa-rang-hey)
• Mandarin – Wo ai ni (Wuh eye nee)
• Polish – Kocham cie (ko-ham che)
• Portuguese – Amo-te (ah-muh-tuh), Eu te amo (oo chee ah-moh)
• Romanian- Te lubesc (tay you-besk)
• Russian – Ya lyublyu tebya (Yay loo-bloo teb-yeh)
• Slovak – Lubim ta (loo-bim tiah)
• Spanish – Te quiero (Tay key-aero), Te amo (Tay-ah-mo)
• Swahili – Naku penda (nah-koo pen-dah)
• Swedish – Jag älskar dig (Ya ell-scar dey)

Note that those from a non-Roman alphabet are written phonetically in English. Check your pronunciation with the native speakers in this video:

Using Sign Language to Say “I Love You”

In addition to saying “I love you” in words, you can also sign the words in American Sign Language. This method is the universal way to say “I love you,” no matter what language you speak. To do this:

1. Spread out your hand.
2. Bend down the middle finger and the ring finger.
3. Leave your other fingers up and out.

Share this gesture from across a room to let your significant other know you love them. Or, simply do this whenever the mood strikes and you want to be silent in your declaration of love.

Romantic Phrases in Other Languages

While it’s not likely that anyone will ever get tired of being told “I love you,” you may want to vary the terms of endearment you use to share your feelings with your loved ones.

• I cherish you in Italian – ti voglio bene (tee vol-yo ben-eh)
• I adore you in French – je vous adore (zhuə vua ə-dôər)
• I love you forever in Hawaiian – aloha mau loa (a lo-ha mow lo-a)
• my eternal love in German – meine ewige liebe (maɪ̯nə e-vɪç li-bə)
• you are my heart in Spanish – tú eres mi corazón (tu eɾes me koɾa-sõn)
• you are my soulmate in Danish – du er min sjæleven (du ər mɪn sjæleven)
• you are the love of my life in Portuguese – você é o amor da minha vida (vo-se ay oh ɐ-moɾ dɐ miɲɐ vi-ddə)

These phrases are great alternatives to saying “I love you,” either in English or another language. Not all words about love translate directly from one language to another. Review some untranslatable words on love, life and emotions for even more inspiration.

When to Express Love in a Different Language

Expressing love does not need to be reserved just for an occasion such as Valentine’s Day; you can do so whenever you want to express your true feelings. There are plenty of situations in which it would be appropriate to express love in another language, or even in many languages.

• If you are looking for a way to impress someone special, declaring your love in many languages can be a great gesture.
• If your loved one speaks another language it would also be a touching way to show how much you care about them.
• If you are hesitant to say these words to someone, using another language may make it easier for you to say them for the first time to your love.
• Sweetly say I love you (or another romantic phrase) in a different language as an attention grabber to segue into letting that special someone know how special they are.

Sharing Words of Love in Many Languages

Spoken expressions of love are wonderful, but there are also other ways to use these phrases when communicating with those you love. Consider writing “I love you” (or another romantic phrase) in a different language in a love letter or card. You can also text this phrase to your beloved or use it to close an email to your sweetheart. You may also like to include a sweet love quote. Review more Spanish words of love for even more ways to express your love in that lovely language. When you’re ready, expand your horizons by learning how to say thank you in many languages.