Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 君を愛している | kimi o ai-shite iru | |
| 愛してる | ai-shiteru | [a̠i ɕi̥te̞ɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 俺はお前のことが好きだ | ore wa omae no koto ga suki da | |
| 俺はお前が好きだ | ore wa omae ga suki da | |
| 好きよ | suki yo | |
| 私はあなたが好きだ | watashi wa anata ga suki da | |
| アイ・ラブ・ユー | ai-rabu-yū | [a̠i ɾa̠bɯ̟ jɯ̟ː] (narrow) |
| 好きやねん | sukiyanen |
This phrase is an affirmation of romantic feeling. In real-life spoken Japanese, people often omit the subject and object entirely. Using pronouns like kimi (you) or ore (I) in romantic declarations is common in song lyrics and literature.
Which one should you use?
The verb ai-shite iru is a heavy, serious expression of love often used in dramatic or deeply committed contexts. In contrast, the phrase suki da (to like) is the most natural and common way to express romantic love or a crush in Japanese, even if the English translation is "I love you".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai region, people often use 好きやで to say "I love you". Other characteristic Kansai dialect phrases include 好きやねん and 好いとんねん.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 愛してる is the colloquial version of ai-shite iru, where the particle i is dropped in casual speech.
How do you pronounce it?
kimi o ai-shite iru
When do people say it?
Japanese speakers frequently use daisuki (really like) to express strong romantic feelings because it feels more natural and less overwhelming than the literal ai (love).
Did you know?
- In classic literature, the phrase tsuki ga kirei desu ne meaning 'the moon is beautiful, isn't it' is sometimes used as a poetic, indirect way to say 'i love you'. This is attributed to the novelist Natsume Soseki.
- In Japan, a confession of love is called kokuhaku. This is a formal ritual where one person explicitly tells another suki da to establish a romantic relationship, rather than letting it evolve naturally through dating.
- In many Japanese romantic contexts, the word 'love' is actually a form of 'doing'. Because the phrase uses the verb 'suru' (to do), saying 'ai shiteru' can be conceptually understood as 'I am doing love' to a person.
Examples in context
- 愛してるよ、リサ！I love you, Lisa!This sentence is useful for expressing love to a person named Lisa using 愛してる.Tatoeba #8736627 by small_snow, translation #9234969 by kedymera
- 心から愛してるよ。I love you from the bottom of my heart.This sentence is useful for expressing love from the bottom of one's heart using 愛してる.Tatoeba #10680320 by small_snow, translation #6133249 by carlosalberto
- あなた。大好きよ。Honey, I love you.This sentence is useful for showing affection using 好きよ.Tatoeba #12698715 by small_snow, translation #2185162 by Hybrid
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is spending a quiet moment together at home.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔、ずっと前から君を愛しているよ。Hiroto, zutto mae kara kimi o aishiteiru yo.Hiroto, I have loved you for a long time.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとう。僕も愛してるよ。Arigatou. Boku mo aishiteru yo.Thank you. I love you too.
- 陽葵 Himari本当に幸せな気持ちだわ。Hontou ni shiawase na kimochi da wa.I feel truly happy.
- 大翔 Hiroto僕も同じ気持ちだよ、陽葵。Boku mo onaji kimochi dayo, Himari.I feel the same way, Himari.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “I love you” translations and entries 愛してる, アイ・ラブ・ユー, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 愛してる, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
