я вас люблю, ребята
ya vas lyublyu, rebyata
The English phrase "I love you, guys" is translated into Russian as я вас люблю, ребята (ya vas lyublyu, rebyata).
This phrase is an expression of affection used when speaking to a group of people.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of я (I), вас (you – plural/formal), люблю (love) and ребята (guys/children/folks).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The word ребята is informal and is used to address a group of friends, peers or even a slightly younger audience.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Moscow, people may use the phrase Ребята, я вас очень люблю.
How does it change in a sentence?
The pronoun вас is used because the speaker is addressing more than one person. Avoid using тебя (singular "you") instead of вас (plural "you") when addressing a group, as this is a grammatical error.
How do you pronounce it?
ya vas lyublyu, rebyata
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use тебя when addressing a group. Use the plural вас instead to ensure grammatical correctness.
Did you know?
- In Russia, expressing 'love' to a group of friends is often seen as more intensely emotional or dramatic than the casual English use of 'love you guys'.
- The word ребята is the plural of ребёнок, which means 'child'. While it translates to 'guys' in this context, it literally describes the group as 'children'.
- If you were addressing a group of people you do not know well, you might replace ребята with господа to sound more formal, though this sounds very old-fashioned.
Examples in context
- Всем вам огромное спасибо за поддержку. Я люблю вас, ребята!Thank you all so much for the support. I love you, guys!
- Вам всем хочу сказать, что люблю вас очень сильно.I want to tell all of you that I love you very much.
- Я вас люблю, ребята, вы лучшие!Ya vas lyublyu, rebyata, vy luchshiye!I love you, guys, you are the best!
- Я вас люблю, ребята, спасибо за всё.Ya vas lyublyu, rebyata, spasibo za vsyo.I love you, guys, thank you for everything.
- Эй, я вас люблю, ребята!Ey, ya vas lyublyu, rebyata!Hey, I love you, guys!
Example conversation
Anastasia is leaving a party with her friends.
- Анастасия AnastasiaМне пора идти. Я вас люблю, ребята!Mne pora idti. Ya vas lyublyu, rebyata!I have to go. I love you, guys!
- Сергей SergeyИ мы тебя любим, Настя!I my tebya lyubim, Nastya!And we love you, Nastya!
- Анастасия AnastasiaДо встречи завтра!Do vstrechi zavtra!See you tomorrow!
- Сергей SergeyПока, до завтра!Poka, do zavtra!Bye, until tomorrow!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries вас, ребята, я, CC BY-SA 4.0.
