Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ti amo | /ti ˈa.mo/ | informal, singular |
| vi amo | formal, plural |
ti amo is the standard way to say 'I love you' in Italian and is typically reserved for romantic relationships.
Which one should you use?
ti amo is used when speaking to one person in a romantic context, whereas vi amo is used when addressing more than one person, such as telling a group of people you love them.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ti amo is an informal singular form. vi amo is a formal plural form.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase ti amo, the pronoun ti (you) is placed before the verb amo (I love).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ti ˈa.mo/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
When do people say it?
Use ti voglio bene instead of ti amo when expressing love to friends or family members. ti voglio bene can be used to express love towards family members, close friends or even pets. For even more emphasis on your affection toward those non-romantic figures, you can say ti voglio tanto bene. You might also use ti adoro (I adore you) among close friends and family.
Did you know?
- The plural pronoun vi used in vi amo actually traces its roots back to the Latin word 'ibi', which meant 'there'.
- In many Italian social circles, there is a long waiting period where couples use the phrase ti voglio bene before ever graduating to the more serious ti amo.
- The Italian word amore is frequently used as a term of endearment, like 'honey' or 'sweetie', regardless of whether the person is actually saying ti amo.
Examples in context
- So che ti amo.I know that I love you.This sentence is useful for expressing the knowledge of one's own feelings.Tatoeba #8425678 by Guybrush88, translation #7521816 by CK
- Ti amo di più.I love you more.This sentence is useful for expressing comparative affection.Tatoeba #13298320 by Guybrush88, translation #12675782 by anzart
- Io ti amo, Tom.I love you, Tom.This sentence is useful for direct address.Tatoeba #4649429 by Guybrush88, translation #2765612 by CK
- Ti amo, amore mio.I love you, my love.
- Ti adoro, sei speciale per me.I adore you, you are special to me.
- 136 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A romantic evening in a quiet restaurant.
- MartinaTi amo, Matteo.I love you, Matteo.
- MatteoAnch'io ti amo tanto, Martina.I love you so much too, Martina.
- MartinaSei tutto per me.You are everything to me.
- MatteoNon cambierei nulla di noi.I wouldn't change anything about us.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “I love you” translations and entries ti amo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries amo, ti, vi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
