оби́чам те
obíčam te
The English phrase "I love you" is translated into Bulgarian as оби́чам те (obíčam te).
This phrase is used to express an affirmation of romantic feeling.
Meaning: affirmation of romantic feeling (phrase)
Which one should you use?
Unlike English, Bulgarian does not require the subject pronoun аз (I) to be explicitly stated in this phrase.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Rhodope Mountains, locals might use the phrase Обичам ти instead of Обичам те.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase оби́чам те, the subject "I" is omitted because the verb ending -am indicates the first-person singular. The word те is the short form of the pronoun "you" and is used as a direct object.
How do you pronounce it?
obíčam te
Did you know?
- The root of the verb оби́чам is linked to the concept of 'circling' or 'going around', suggesting an encompassing or rounding feeling.
- In Bulgarian culture, saying оби́чам те is often considered a very serious step in a relationship and is said less frequently than 'I love you' is in American English.
- While оби́чам те is for romantic love, Bulgarians use the word любя for a more profound, spiritual, or poetic form of love often found in classical literature.
Examples in context
- Знаеш ли, че те обичам много?Do you know that I love you very much?
- Обичам те, сине мой!I love you, my son!
- И аз те обичам мамо!I love you too, mom!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “I love you” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
