अहमपि त्वां स्निह्यामि
Ahamapi tvaam snihyaami
The English phrase "I love you too" is translated into Sanskrit as अहमपि त्वां स्निह्यामि (Ahamapi tvaam snihyaami).
This phrase is used as a response to express that you feel the same affection for someone that they have expressed to you.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the following parts: aham (I), api (also/too), tvām (you) and snihyāmi (I love/feel affection for).
How do you pronounce it?
Ahamapi tvaam snihyaami
Did you know?
- The word स्निह्यामि comes from the root स्निह्, which literally means 'to be lubricated' or 'to be sticky'. In the Sanskrit mindset, love is imagined as a viscous, clinging substance that binds two people together.
- In Sanskrit, there are distinct words for love depending on whether it is 'kama' (erotic desire), 'sneha' (affection), or 'bhakti' (devotion). Choosing स्निह्यामि suggests a warm, tender affection rather than raw passion.
- The word अहम् for 'I' is shared with several other Indo-European languages. It is a distant linguistic relative of the English word 'I' and the Latin 'ego'.
Examples in context
- अहमपि त्वां स्निह्यामि।ahamapi tvāṃ snihyāmi.I love you too.
- तव प्रेम सत्यम्, अहमपि त्वां स्निह्यामि।tava prema satyam, ahamapi tvāṃ snihyāmi.Your love is true, I love you too.
Example conversation
A couple talking at home.
- अनन्या Ananyaआदित्य, अहं त्वां स्निह्यामि।Āditya, ahaṃ tvāṃ snihyāmi.Aditya, I love you.
- आदित्य Adityaअहमपि त्वां स्निह्यामि, अनन्ये!ahampi tvāṃ snihyāmi, Ananye!I love you too, Ananya!
- अनन्या Ananyaत्वं मम हृदयस्य भागः असि।tvaṃ mama hṛdayasya bhāgaḥ asi.You are a part of my heart.
- आदित्य Adityaत्वमपि मम प्रियसी असि।tvamapi mama priyasī asi.You are also my beloved.
