Show Some Love: How Different Cultures Say "I Love You" (2023)

Learning to say "I love you" in another language isn't always as simple as translating the phrase and practicing its pronunciation. Like so much of language learning, culture plays a huge role in knowing how to put what you've learned into practice. Now add in the complex issue of love, and we have a lot to navigate!

Is "love" a universal language?

In English, we use the verbamarto express our love for just about anything. I can say I "love" my new boots, just like I can say I "love" my mother. Although the language used here is the same, English speakers can infer that the love I have for my newly purchased shoe probably pales in comparison to the love I have for the woman who raised me. We may only have one verb for "love" in English, but we can also express intensity by playing with grammar (I love my new boots!) or shortening the sentence (I love you!). As is often the case with language, what works in English doesn't necessarily, well,translateto other cultures.

In Spanish, there are two main ways for someone to declare their love. There is “te amo”, which uses the verb “amar”, which means “to love”, and there is “te quiero”, which uses the verb “querer”, which technically translates as “to want”. While "I love you" can be used more broadly, with significant others, friends, and family, "I love you" is a deeper, more intense, and often romantic love, and this phrase can be saved for the spouse. . important person. If you're texting for Valentine's Day this year instead of typingILYSM("I love you so much"), you might want to trytqm, which means “I love you very much”.

Now let's consider three types of love! In Japanese, a speaker might use 好き (suki) the same way we use "love" in English: to describe a favorite food, an important person, or perhaps a favorite musician. But 恋 (koi) is used more strictly for romantic relationships and is commonly used to describe an infatuation or a more selfish type of love that may one day become 愛 (ai). This more mature love, 愛 (ai), is used to describe love for others, such as the love one has for one's partner, friends, or family.

Japanese speakers may prefer to use 好きだ (suki da) "I like you" instead of 愛してる (ai shiteru), which carries more weight. Similarly, in Mandarin, some may be hesitant to declare 我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ), or “I love you”, and feel more comfortable expressing love more reservedly with 我喜欢你 (wǒ xǐhuan nǐ) , which also means "I like you". But the younger generation might feel more comfortable saying 我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ) nowadays. This is a great example of how language usage changes over time!

In China, instead of presenting a loved one with a thick red envelope full of money, a tradition known as 紅包 (hóngbāo), people now send scanned versions of red envelopes to their loved ones. The amount of money given is usually a meaningful number, such as 520, which is pronounced similar to "I love you" in Mandarin.

Other ways to show love

But it's not always necessary to say "I love you" to express your love. In Russia, parents may not say "I love you" as often as American parents, but they show their love and affection by adding diminutives to the end of their children's names. So Анна (Anna) may be called Аня (Anya) by her friends, but Аннечка (Annechka) by her mother, this cute "chka" is commonly used for young children. Spouses in Korea cannot use each other's names, preferring the term 여보 (yeobo), which means something similar to "sweetheart" or "sweetheart". And sometimes even an emoji can work. A simple ❤️ in a text can say "thinking of you!" And often that's exactly what we need.

How to Say "I Love You" in Other Languages

There are so many ways to say "I love you" this Valentine's Day. Take a look at some common translations below!

Of course, there are many other ways to say "I love you". How do you show or tell people that you love them?

English: There is love in every language

Learning to say "I love you" in another language isn't always as simple as translating a sentence and practicing its pronunciation. As with many aspects of language learning, culture plays a central role in understanding how to put what you've learned into practice. If we also add the complex theme of love, we have a lot to take into account!

Is love the universal language?

In Spanish there are two main ways of declaring our love. We have "I love you", which uses the verb "to love" and "I love you", which uses the verb to want. While "I love you" can be used more broadly, to refer to other people, friends and family, "I love you" has a more intense meaning, usually linked to romantic love, which is why some people may reserve this sentence for your couple or special person.

As with languages, what works in Spanish doesn't necessarily translate well in other cultures. In English, the verb is usedamar(to love) to express affection for practically everything. You can say you "love" your new boots the same way you would say "I love my mother." Even if the language used is the same, English speakers can tell that the love I feel for my new shoe is probably nothing compared to the love I feel for the woman who raised me. Perhaps English only has the verb “love”, but it can also express different degrees of intensity by playing with grammar (“I'm loving my new boots”, i.e. “I love my new boots”) or by shortening the sentence ( “I love you!”, “I love you!”). As with languages, what works in English doesn't necessarily work.translatewell in other cultures. If you're going to send a Valentine's Day message this year, instead of saying TQM ("I love you so much"), how about writing ILYSM ("I love you so much")?

Now let's see three different types of love! In Japanese, a speaker can use 好き (suki) just like “love” is used in English: to describe our favorite food, our special person, or perhaps our favorite musician. On the other hand, 恋 (koi) is used more strictly for romantic relationships and is often used to talk about unrequited love that may one day become 愛 (ai). This more mature love, 愛 (ai), is the one used to describe love for others, such as the love one feels for a special person, family or friends.

Japanese speakers may prefer to use 好きだ (suki da) “I love you” instead of the more serious 愛してる (ai shiteru). Something similar happens with the mandarin, since many could doubt between using 我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ), “Te amo”, or a more reserved way of expressing their love, 我喜欢你 (wǒ xǐhuan nǐ), which also means "I love you". However, nowadays it is possible for people of the younger generation to express 我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ) more comfortably. This is a great example of how language usage changes over time!

In China, instead of giving your loved one a big red envelope full of money, following the 紅包 (hóngbāo) tradition, people today send their loved ones scanned versions of these red envelopes. The amount of money sent is usually a significant number, such as 520, which in Mandarin is pronounced similar to "I love you".

Other ways to express love

You don't always have to say "I love you" to express your love. In Russia, parents may not say "I love you" as often as they do in their country, but they show their love and affection by adding diminutives to their children's names. In this way, Анна (Anna) could be Аня (Anya) to her friends, but her mother could call her Аннечка (Annechka). This "chka" is a diminutive often used for young children. Couples in Korea may not use their first names, but may prefer the term 여보 (yeobo), similar to "darling". Other times, even an emoji is enough! A ❤️ in a message can say "I'm thinking of you!" and often that's exactly what we need.

How to Say "I Love You" Around the World

There are so many ways to say "I love you" this Valentine's Day! These are some of the most common translations:

Of course, there are many other ways to say "I love you". And you? How do you show or tell someone you love them?