Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 愛してる | ai-shiteru | [a̠i ɕi̥te̞ɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 君を愛している | kimi o ai-shite iru | |
| 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 |
These phrases are used to affirm romantic feelings. The form 好き (suki) is used more frequently in daily life to express romantic interest or 'love' than the more dramatic 愛してる (ai-shiteru).
Which one should you use?
The forms differ in their emotional weight and directness. 愛してる is a much more intense and heavy expression, often reserved for deep, serious romantic commitment. In contrast, 好き (suki) is used more frequently in daily life. For a more grammatically complete and standard version of the phrase, use 愛している.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Formality levels vary by the specific phrase chosen. For a formal way to say "I love you," use 愛しています or 大好きです. In informal settings, 好きだよ is common among romantic partners and close friends. The phrase 愛してる is a common spoken form, while 愛している is the grammatically complete version. Some masculine and informal options include 俺はお前のことが好きだ or 俺はお前が好きだ, which use the informal pronouns ore (I) and omae (you).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai region, such as in Osaka, you may hear the characteristic dialect forms 好いとんねん or 好きやねん to express affection.
How do you pronounce it?
ai-shiteru
When do people say it?
In Japanese culture, people often express love through actions or subtle phrases rather than using the literal phrase 愛してる, which can feel overly cinematic or intense.
Did you know?
- In Japan, the phrase 月が綺麗ですね meaning 'the moon is beautiful, isn't it' is famously used as a poetic, indirect way to say 'i love you'.
- While English speakers use 'I love you' for both partners and parents, saying 愛してる to a family member in Japan would sound incredibly strange and overly dramatic.
- In traditional Japanese culture, the concept of amae describes a specific type of love based on the desire to be pampered or taken care of, for which there is no single English translation.
Examples in context
- 愛してるよ、リサ！I love you, Lisa!This is useful for practicing the phrase 愛してる when addressing someone by name.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 is useful for using the phrase 愛してる with deep emotion.Tatoeba #10680320 by small_snow, translation #6133249 by carlosalberto
- あなた。大好きよ。Honey, I love you.This is useful for using the phrase 好きよ as an affectionate address.Tatoeba #12698715 by small_snow, translation #2185162 by Hybrid
- 彼(かれ)と結婚(けっこん)してから、ずっと「愛(あい)しています」と言(い)っています。Since getting married to him, I have been saying "aishiteimasu" all the time.
- 君(きみ)の笑顔(えがお)が大好(だいす)きだよ。I love your smile.
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is talking under the stars at night.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太、ずっと一緒にいたいな。Yōta, zutto issho ni itai na.Yota, I want to be with you forever.
- 陽太 Yota僕もだよ。愛してる。Boku mo da yo. Aishiteru.Me too. I love you.
- 美咲 Misaki私も愛してるよ。Watashi mo aishiteru yo.I love you too.
- 陽太 Yotaこれからもよろしくね。Kore kara mo yoroshiku ne.Let's stay together from now on.
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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
