Ways to say it
| Indonesian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| aku cinta kamu | /ˈaku ˈt͡ʃinta ˈkamu/ (Standard Indonesian, word by word) | |
| aku sayang kamu | /ˈaku ˈsajaŋ ˈkamu/ (Standard Indonesian, word by word) | |
| aku suka sama kamu | /ˈaku ˈsuka ˈsama ˈkamu/ (Standard Indonesian, word by word) | |
| saya cinta kamu | /ˈsaja ˈt͡ʃinta ˈkamu/ (Standard Indonesian, word by word) | formal, polite |
| aku mencintaimu | ||
| aku cinta padamu | poetic | |
| aku cinta kepadamu | poetic | |
| gua suka sama lu | Jakarta, slang |
The phrases provided are used to affirm romantic feelings or deep affection. The choice of words determines whether you are expressing intense romantic passion, a softer sense of care or a light attraction.
What does it mean word for word?
In the poetic form aku cinta padamu, the word padamu is created by attaching the suffix -mu (a contraction of kamu) to the preposition pada (to/at) to mean 'to you'.
Which one should you use?
The forms differ significantly in their emotional weight. aku cinta kamu is used for intense romantic passion, while aku sayang kamu is a softer, more common way to express deep affection and care for a partner or family member. The word sayang is very versatile and can be used for romantic partners, children or close friends, whereas cinta is almost exclusively romantic. For a lighter expression of attraction, such as in the early stages of a crush, you can use aku suka sama kamu, which translates more to 'I like you'. The forms aku cinta padamu and aku cinta kepadamu are more poetic in nature.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The level of formality depends on the pronouns used. saya cinta kamu uses the formal pronoun saya instead of the informal aku, making it sound more polite or serious, though it is less common in casual romantic settings. For a highly formal expression, you can use Saya mencintaimu. or Saya sangat mencintaimu. to express an even stronger sense of love and affection. In casual settings, aku cinta kamu is the standard informal way to say 'I love you'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The phrase gua suka sama lu is a piece of Jakarta-style slang that uses the pronouns gua for 'I' and lu for 'you'. This is used among close friends or in very casual urban settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form aku mencintaimu uses the formal prefix men- and the suffix -mu (a contraction of kamu) to create a more literary or song-like version of the phrase.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈaku ˈtʃinta ˈkamu/
Did you know?
- The word cinta actually originates from a Sanskrit word meaning 'anxiety' or 'worry'.
- The word sayang can also function as an exclamation meaning 'what a pity' or 'it is a shame'.
- In Indonesian culture, sayang is often used as a standalone term of endearment, similar to how English speakers use 'honey' or 'darling'.
Examples in context
- Aku hanya ingin bilang aku cinta padamuI just wanted to tell you I love you.This sentence is useful for expressing the desire to tell someone your feelings using the poetic form aku cinta padamu.Tatoeba #3878473 by Bilmanda, translation #3202440 by CK
- Aku hanya ingin berkata bahwa aku cinta padamu.I just wanted to say that I love you.This sentence is useful for expressing the desire to say your feelings using the poetic form aku cinta padamu.Tatoeba #3878480 by Bilmanda, translation #2240475 by Hybrid
- aku mencintaimuI love you.This sentence is a simple way to say 'I love you' using the form aku mencintaimu.Tatoeba #4230729 by ver50n, translation #1434 by awael58
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sari and Rian are having a quiet romantic moment at a park.
- SariRian, aku cinta kamu.Rian, I love you.
- RianTerima kasih, Sari. Aku juga cinta kamu.Thank you, Sari. I love you too.
- SariAku sangat bahagia mendengarnya.I am very happy to hear that.
- RianAku akan selalu menjagamu.I will always take care of you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “I love you” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (aku, cinta, kamu, sayang, suka, sama, saya) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aku, cinta, kamu, sama, sayang, suka, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
