tôi yêu anh ấy
[toj˧˧ ʔiəw˧˧ ʔajŋ̟˧˧ ʔəj˧˦]word by word
The English phrase "I love him" is translated into Vietnamese as tôi yêu anh ấy.
This phrase is used to express strong romantic feelings for a male person. It is typically used when you are speaking to a third party about your feelings for a man, rather than confessing your feelings directly to the man himself.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of tôi (I), yêu (love) and anh ấy (him/that older brother/that man).
Which one should you use?
While tôi yêu anh ấy means "I love him," if a woman wants to express love directly to a man, she would typically use em yêu anh which means "I love you" (female to male).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The use of tôi makes tôi yêu anh ấy sound more neutral or formal. It is often used when describing your feelings to someone else about a third person.
Did you know?
- The romantic practice of a wife calling her husband anh (elder brother) is believed to have originated in the South Central province of Quảng Nam.
Examples in context
- Tôi yêu anh ấy rất nhiều.I love him very much.
- Thật lòng, tôi yêu anh ấy.Honestly, I love him.
Example conversation
Hương is talking to Tuấn about a mutual male friend.
- TuấnHương có thích anh ta không?Does Hương like him?
- HươngVâng, tôi yêu anh ấy.Yes, I love him.
- TuấnAnh ấy có biết điều đó không?Does he know that?
- HươngTôi chưa nói với anh ấy.I haven't told him yet.
