أحبك
uḥibbukato a man, standard
To tell a boy or man "I love you" in Arabic, say أحبك (uḥibbuka) in standard Arabic or بحبك (baḥebbak) in everyday speech. بعشقك (baʿshaqak) is stronger, closer to "I adore you".
Meaning: declaration of love to a man (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| أحبك | uḥibbuka | to a man, standard |
| بحبك | baḥebbak | to a man, colloquial |
| بعشقك | baʿshaqak | to a man, intense |
Which one should you use?
The prefix ب- (ba-) in بحبك (baḥebbak) is typical of Egyptian, Levantine and Iraqi speech. Gulf speakers often say أحبك (aḥebbik or aḥebbak) instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
The final vowel marks the listener. أحبك (uḥibbuka) uses -a for a man, while a woman would hear أحبكِ (uḥibbuki).
Did you know?
- The Arabic word حب (ḥubb), "love", is one of many: عشق (ʿishq) is passion and هوى (hawā) is an older, poetic word for deep affection.
Examples in context
- أحبك كثيراًuḥibbuka kathīranI love you a lot
- بحبك يا حبيبيbaḥebbak yā ḥabībīI love you, my dear
Example conversation
Mariam tells her boyfriend Adam that she loves him during a walk in Alexandria.
- Mariamآدم، بحبك.Ādam, baḥebbak.Adam, I love you.
- Adamوأنا بحبك يا مريم.Wa ana baḥebbik yā Maryam.I love you too, Mariam.
- Mariamربنا يخليك ليّ.Rabbinā yikhallīk lī.May God keep you for me.
