How to say i love you in Chinese
"I love you" in Chinese is 我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ). It is built from "I love you". 我爱你 is heavy and said much less often than "I love you" in English; couples and families more often show it, or say 我喜欢你 or 我想你.
Ways to say i love you
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| 我爱你 | wǒ ài nǐ | i love you | The default answer. |
| 我喜欢你 | wǒ xǐ huan nǐ | I like you | Confessing feelings early on, or telling a partner warmly and lightly |
| 我很喜欢你 | wǒ hěn xǐ huan nǐ | I really like you | A stronger confession, still lighter than 爱 |
| 我想你了 | wǒ xiǎng nǐ le | I miss you | A common, softer way partners and family say they care |
| 我爱你们 | wǒ ài nǐ men | I love you (all) | To parents, family or fans, for example in a speech |
| 我好爱你 | wǒ hǎo ài nǐ | I love you so much | Intimate and emotional, said between partners in private |
What people say back
Example sentences
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 我喜欢你很久了，你愿意做我女朋友吗？ | wǒ xǐ huan nǐ hěn jiǔ le, nǐ yuàn yì zuò wǒ nǚ péng you ma? | I've liked you for a long time. Will you be my girlfriend? |
| 妈，我爱你，生日快乐！ | mā, wǒ ài nǐ, shēng rì kuài lè! | Mom, I love you. Happy birthday! |
| 晚安，我爱你。 | wǎn ān, wǒ ài nǐ. | Good night. I love you. |
| 我爱你们，谢谢你们一直支持我。 | wǒ ài nǐ men, xiè xie nǐ men yī zhí zhī chí wǒ. | I love you all. Thank you for always supporting me. |
The characters in 我爱你
Common mistakes
- 爱 is fourth tone (ài), a short falling sound. Said flat or rising it is hard to recognize.
- 我喜欢你 is not just friendly liking when said to someone directly: it is how most people confess a crush. Use it on purpose.
- Many Chinese families rarely say 我爱你 out loud, so a learner using it as often as in English can sound dramatic. Care is usually shown through actions.
- 爱 also means "love to do" for everyday likes, as in 我爱吃饺子 (I love dumplings), which is light and casual.
Related
- I miss you in Chinese: 我想你
- Love in Chinese: 爱
- Good night in Chinese: 晚安
- Friend in Chinese: 朋友
- All phrases and words
Frequently asked questions
How do you say i love you in Chinese?
我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ), literally "I love you". Other ways: 我喜欢你 (wǒ xǐ huan nǐ); 我很喜欢你 (wǒ hěn xǐ huan nǐ); 我想你了 (wǒ xiǎng nǐ le).
What is the difference between 我爱你 and 我喜欢你?
我喜欢你 (wǒ xǐ huan nǐ) means "I like you" and is how people usually confess feelings. 我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ) is deep love and is said much more rarely.
How do you say I love you too in Chinese?
Say 我也爱你 (wǒ yě ài nǐ). 也 means "also".
Why does 520 mean I love you?
520 (wǔ èr líng) sounds a bit like 我爱你, so it is used online as a playful "I love you", and 20 May is treated as a day for couples.
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