Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| أُحِبُّكَ | ʔuḥibbuka | addressee masculine |
| أُحِبُّكِ | ʔuḥibbuki | addressee masculine |
This phrase is used as an affirmation of romantic feeling.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of the verb أُحِبُّ, which means "I love" and a suffix that denotes the person being addressed.
Which one should you use?
The choice of form depends on the gender of the person you are speaking to. Use أُحِبُّكَ when addressing a male and أُحِبُّكِ when addressing a female. For a much stronger expression of feeling, you can use أعشقك, which translates to "I adore you".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Levantine Arabic (spoken in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Palestine), the variation بحبّك is common. In Egyptian Arabic, speakers often include the word for "I" to say أنا بحبك.
How does it change in a sentence?
The grammar of the phrase is determined by the suffix attached to the verb. The suffix -كَ is used when speaking to a male, while the suffix -كِ is used when speaking to a female.
How do you pronounce it?
ʔuḥibbuka
Did you know?
- The word for 'love' in the phrase, حُب (hubb), is also the root of the word for 'seed' or 'grain' in certain linguistic contexts, implying that love is something that can be planted and grown.
- While أُحِبُّكَ is the direct translation, Arabic speakers often express love through terms of endearment like يا روحي meaning 'oh my soul' or يا قلبي meaning 'oh my heart'.
- Classical Arabic poetry often uses a complex system of 'stages of love', where أُحِبُّكَ is only the beginning of a long progression toward total devotion.
Examples in context
- أُحِبُّكَ كَثِيرًا.uhibbuka kathīran.I love you very much.
- أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَقُولَ لَكَ: أُحِبُّكَ.urīdu an aqūla laka: uhibbuka.I want to tell you: I love you.
- أَنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنِّي أُحِبُّكَ.anta ta'lamu annī uhibbuka.You know that I love you.
Example conversation
A couple talking during a romantic dinner.
- أحمد Ahmedأنتِ تبدين جميلةً جداً اليوم.Anti tabduna jamilatan jiddan al-yawm.You look very beautiful today.
- مريم Maryamشكراً لك يا أحمد.Shukran laka ya Ahmad.Thank you, Ahmad.
- أحمد Ahmedأنا أُحِبُّكَ.Ana uhibbuka.I love you.
- مريم Maryamوأنا أيضاً أُحِبُّكَ.Wa ana aydan uhibbuka.And I love you too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “I love you” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
