彼女を愛している
kanojo o aishiteiru
The English phrase "I love her" is expressed in Japanese as 彼女を愛している (kanojo o aishiteiru).
This phrase is used to express deep romantic feelings for a woman. Because it uses the verb aishiteiru, the expression is very intense and is typically reserved for serious, long-term romantic commitments rather than casual dating.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 彼女を愛している is composed of 彼女 (she), を (the direct object marker) and 愛している (the continuous state of loving).
How does it change in a sentence?
In the default form 彼女を愛している, the subject "I" (watashi) is omitted, which is natural in Japanese when the context is clear. In some informal versions, such as 彼女が好きだよ, adding よ (yo) to the end of the sentence adds emphasis and sincerity.
How do you pronounce it?
kanojo o aishiteiru
Did you know?
- While 彼女 means 'she', it is also the standard Japanese word for 'girlfriend'. Depending on the context, 彼女を愛している could mean 'I love her' or 'I love my girlfriend'.
- The verb 愛する (to love) was historically rare in spoken Japanese and was primarily used in literature. Much of its current usage in romantic contexts was influenced by Western translations of novels and films.
- Japanese has several different words for love based on the type of affection. While 愛 (ai) is used in this phrase for selfless or romantic love, 恋 (koi) refers to the passionate, longing love often felt at the start of a romance.
Examples in context
- 彼女を愛している。kanojo o aishite iru.I love her.
- ずっと前から彼女を愛している。zutto mae kara kanojo o aishite iru.I have loved her for a long time.
Example conversation
Kenta is talking to Yui about his girlfriend.
- 結衣 Yui彼女のどこが好き？Kanojo no doko ga suki?What do you like about her?
- 健太 Kenta全部だよ。彼女を愛している。Zenbu dayo. Kanojo o aishite iru.Everything. I love her.
- 結衣 Yui本当に素敵ね。Hontou ni suteki ne.That is really wonderful.
- 健太 Kentaありがとう、結衣。Arigatou, Yui.Thank you, Yui.
