Ways to say it
| Thai | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ฉันรักเธอ | chǎn rák təə | colloquial | |
| ผมรักคุณ | pǒm rák kun | /pʰom˩˩˦.rak̚˦˥.kʰun˧/ | informal |
| ฉันรักคุณ | chǎn rák kun | /t͡ɕʰan˩˩˦.rak̚˦˥.kʰun˧/ | informal |
| รักนะ | informal |
In Thai, the subject and object pronouns change based on the gender of the speaker and the level of intimacy between the people involved.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb รัก (rák) means "to love."
Which one should you use?
The pronoun คุณ (kun) is a polite way to say "you", while เธอ (təə) is more intimate or colloquial. Additionally, the phrase รักนะ is a shortened, cute and very informal way to express affection, often used between couples or close friends.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ผมรักคุณ and ฉันรักคุณ are informal. ฉันรักเธอ is colloquial. Finally, รักนะ is a shortened, cute and very informal expression of affection often used between couples or close friends.
How does it change in a sentence?
The pronoun ผม (pǒm) is used by male speakers to refer to themselves, while the pronoun ฉัน (chǎn) is used by female speakers to refer to themselves.
How do you pronounce it?
chǎn rák təə
Did you know?
- In many Thai relationships, couples rarely say รัก (rák) aloud. Instead, they show love through 'taking care' of the other person, such as asking กินข้าวหรือยัง ('Have you eaten yet?').
- The word เธอ (təə) used in ฉันรักเธอ is historically a more formal way to address a woman, but in modern romance, it has become a sweet, intimate way to say 'you'.
- In Thai, people often omit the subject 'I' and the object 'you' entirely, simply saying รัก (rák) to express 'love' when the context is clear.
Examples in context
- ผมรักคุณมากกว่าที่คุณรักผมI love you more than you love me.This sentence is useful for comparing levels of affection using the form ผมรักคุณ.Tatoeba #2847974 by ojiisan, translation #17829 by lazycat
- ในที่สุดวันนี้ฉันก็มีความกล้าที่จะบอกเธอว่า "ฉันรักเธอ!"Today, I finally had the courage to tell her "I love you!".This sentence is useful for showing a moment of courage using the form ฉันรักเธอ.Tatoeba #4284534 by Spanger, translation #4280776 by mervert1
- ฉันรักเธอI love you.This sentence is useful for a simple declaration using the form ฉันรักเธอ.Tatoeba #3473005 by OilSoraya, translation #1434 by awael58
Example conversation
A man is confessing his feelings to a woman at a park.
- วิทวัส Witthawatกนกวรรณ ฉันรักเธอkanokwan chan rak thoeKanokwan, I love you.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanจริงเหรอ วิทวัส ฉันก็รักเธอเหมือนกันching ro wittawat chan ko rak thoe muean kanReally, Wittawat? I love you too.
- วิทวัส Witthawatฉันจะดูแลเธอให้ดีที่สุดchan cha du lae thoe hai di thi sutI will take the best care of you.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanขอบคุณนะ ฉันมีความสุขมากkhop khun na chan mi khwam suk makThank you, I am very happy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “i love you” translations and entries ผมรักคุณ, ฉันรักคุณ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
