أحبك
'uhibbuka
The phrase "mahal kita" translates to "I love you" in Arabic, using the default form أحبك ('uhibbuka).
The phrase is used to tell someone that you love them.
Which one should you use?
In Levantine Arabic, you may also use the informal forms بحبك or بحبكي.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Levantine dialect, the informal forms بحبك and بحبكي are common.
How do you pronounce it?
'uhibbuka
Did you know?
- The word حب for love shares the same root as the word for 'seed' or 'grain', suggesting that love is something planted that grows over time.
- In many Arabic dialects, instead of saying 'I love you', people use the word حبيبي (my beloved) as a way to express affection to much more than just romantic partners, including friends or even children.
- Arabic grammar allows the speaker to change the ending of أحبك to specifically target a male, female or a group of people, which is a distinction English lacks in this phrase.
Examples in context
- أحبك كثيراً.uhibbuka kathiran.I love you very much.
- أحبك يا صديقي.uhibbuka ya sadiqi.I love you, my friend.
Example conversation
A romantic setting where a couple is talking at a park.
- مريم Maryamزياد، أحبك.Ziyad, uhibbuk.Ziyad, I love you.
- زياد Ziadوأنا أيضاً أحبك يا مريم.Wa ana aydan uhibbuki ya Maryam.And I love you too, Maryam.
- مريم Maryamأنت رجل رائع.Anta rajulun ra'i'.You are a wonderful man.
- زياد Ziadشكراً لكِ يا حبيبتي.Shukran laki ya habibati.Thank you, my love.
