אנחנו אוהבים אותך
anakhnu ohavim otkha
The Hebrew phrase for "we love you" is אנחנו אוהבים אותך (anakhnu ohavim otkha).
This phrase is used by a group of people to express their affection for one person.
Which one should you use?
אנחנו אוהבים אותך is used when addressing one person, whereas אנחנו אוהבים אתכם is used when addressing multiple people. Both forms are used in informal settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form אנחנו אוהבים אותך is used specifically when the person being loved is a man (masculine singular).
How do you pronounce it?
anakhnu ohavim otkha
Did you know?
- The pronoun אנחנו is often omitted in casual speech because the verb אוהבים already implies that the subject is 'we'.
- Because Hebrew is a gendered language, the phrase 'we love you' can actually take four different forms depending on the gender of the speakers and the gender of the person being addressed.
- The word אנחנו shares a direct linguistic ancestor with the Arabic word نَحْنُ, meaning they are essentially distant cousins.
Example conversation
A family is saying goodbye to Noa before she travels.
- איתי Itayנועה, תזכרי שאת לא לבד.Noa, tizkri she-at lo levad.Noa, remember that you are not alone.
- נועה Noaאני יודעת, תודה.Ani yoda'at, toda.I know, thank you.
- איתי Itayאנחנו אוהבים אותך!Anakhnu ohavim otakh!We love you!
- נועה Noaגם אני אוהבת אתכם.Gam ani ohevet etkhem.I love you all too.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries אנחנו, CC BY-SA 4.0.
