Ways to say it
| Tagalog | IPA |
|---|---|
| mahal kita | /maˌhal kiˈta/ (Standard Tagalog) |
| iniibig kita | /ʔiniˈʔibiɡ kiˈta/ (Standard Tagalog, word by word) |
| iniirog kita |
These phrases are used to affirm romantic feelings toward another person.
What does it mean word for word?
In the phrase mahal kita, the word mahal can mean "expensive" or "precious", while kita is a pronoun combination that functions as "I [verb] you".
Which one should you use?
mahal kita is the standard and most common way to express this sentiment in everyday conversation. iniibig kita is a more intense and poetic version, while iniirog kita is a highly archaic form found almost exclusively in classical Tagalog literature or very old songs.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
iniibig kita is a formal and poetic option for expressing intense romantic love. iniirog kita is a literary form.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "I love you too", add din after the verb to get mahal din kita. To say "I love you very much", you can intensify the expression by repeating the word, such as mahal na mahal kita.
How do you pronounce it?
/maˌhal kiˈta/
Did you know?
- The word mahal shares the same root as the word for 'expensive' in Malay and Javanese.
- The word ibig, the root of iniibig, can also mean 'to want' or 'to desire', blending the concepts of love and longing.
Examples in context
- Alam mong mahal kita.You know I love you.This sentence shows how to use mahal kita in the context of "You know I love you".Tatoeba #12266620 by qwertzu, translation #3330899 by CK
- Mahal kita.I love you.This sentence is a direct example of mahal kita.Tatoeba #4639421 by ljmarcles, translation #1434 by awael58
- Mahal kita, Tom.I love you, Tom.This sentence shows how to use mahal kita when addressing someone by name.Tatoeba #5361349 by kanlaon, translation #2765612 by CK
- Iniibig kita bilang isang kaibigan.I love you as a friend.
- Ang pag-ibig ko sa'yo ay tapat, kaibigan ko.My love for you is sincere, my friend.
- Mahal kita, pare/kuya/ateng!I love you, buddy/bro/sis!
- Sobrang mahal kita, tol/sis!I love you so much, dude/sis!
- Ikaw ang best friend ko, ka-tropa, kalakbay, at kabiyakYou are my best friend, comrade, companion, and other half
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is having a romantic moment at a park.
- MariaMahal kita, Mark.I love you, Mark.
- MarkMahal din kita, Maria.I love you too, Maria.
- MariaSalamat sa pagsasabi niyan.Thank you for saying that.
- MarkLagi mong tatandaan iyan.Always remember that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “I love you” translations and entries mahal kita, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (iniibig, kita) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries iniibig, kita, mahal, mahal kita, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
