Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ti amo | /ti ˈa.mo/ | informal, singular |
| vi amo | formal, plural |
The phrase ti amo is used specifically to affirm romantic feelings. Because it is such a strong and specific declaration of romantic love, using it with a casual acquaintance or a platonic friend would be seen as an intense romantic declaration.
What does it mean word for word?
In the phrase ti amo, the word ti is the informal singular direct object pronoun for "you".
Which one should you use?
ti amo is reserved for romantic love, whereas you should use ti voglio bene for friends and family to express platonic or familial love.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ti amo is an informal and singular form. The form vi amo is the formal and plural version. For an informal way to say you care about someone a lot, you can also use Ti voglio un mondo di bene.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase ti amo, the subject pronoun io (I) is typically omitted because the verb ending -o already indicates the first-person singular.
How do you pronounce it?
/ti ˈa.mo/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- While ti amo is for romantic partners, the phrase ti voglio bene literally translates to 'i want you well'.
- The pronoun vi in vi amo comes from the Latin word ibi, which originally meant 'there' rather than 'you'.
- If you use ti amo with a friend or a parent, it is not seen as a simple mistake but as a confusing and intense romantic advance.
Examples in context
- So che ti amo.I know that I love you.This sentence shows how to use ti amo within a larger clause.Tatoeba #8425678 by Guybrush88, translation #7521816 by CK
- Ti amo di più.I love you more.This sentence demonstrates using ti amo to express a comparison.Tatoeba #13298320 by Guybrush88, translation #12675782 by anzart
- Io ti amo, Tom.I love you, Tom.This sentence shows how to use ti amo when addressing someone by name.Tatoeba #4649429 by Guybrush88, translation #2765612 by CK
- 136 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is having a romantic dinner at home.
- SofiaAlessandro, ti amo tanto.Alessandro, I love you so much.
- AlessandroE io ti amo, Sofia.And I love you, Sofia.
- SofiaSei il mio mondo.You are my world.
- AlessandroLo so, piccola mia.I know, my little one.
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.
