What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the direct object pronoun ti (you) and the first-person plural form of the verb amare (to love).
Which one should you use?
If you are addressing a group of people, you should use Vi amiamo instead. For a formal expression used when addressing elders or highly respected individuals, use Le vogliamo bene, which means 'We hold you dear'. In informal situations to convey intense love or infatuation, you can also say Siamo pazzi di te ('We are crazy about you').
How does it change in a sentence?
The subject pronoun Noi (we) is optional and often omitted because the verb ending -iamo already indicates the subject is 'we'. However, you may say Noi ti amiamo to mean 'We love you'. If the group is expressing love to more than one person, you must change Ti to Vi.
Did you know?
- Italian speakers may use the term cucciolo (puppy) as a pet name when saying Ti amiamo to a romantic partner or a child.
- The word amare shares a root with the English word 'amorous' and the French 'aimer'.
- In Italian, there is a crucial distinction between romantic or intense love and the affection felt for friends or family. While Ti amiamo is for deep or romantic love, you would typically use Ti vogliamo bene for family and friends to avoid sounding overly dramatic or romantic.
Examples in context
- Ti amiamo così tanto.We love you so much.This sentence shows how to add emphasis to the phrase using Ti amiamo.Tatoeba #2584926 by Guybrush88, translation #954476 by CK
- Noi ti amiamo, Skura.We love you, Skura.This sentence shows how to use the phrase when addressing someone by name using Ti amiamo.Tatoeba #13298205 by Guybrush88, translation #8398370 by Amastan
- Ti amiamo.We love you.This is a simple way to state the phrase Ti amiamo.Tatoeba #5241680 by Guybrush88, translation #2241155 by CK
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A group of friends is saying goodbye to Lorenzo at the airport.
- SofiaNon dimenticare mai che ti amiamo.Never forget that we love you.
- LorenzoGrazie, anche voi siete fantastici.Thank you, you all are fantastic too.
- SofiaTorna presto da noi, Lorenzo.Come back to us soon, Lorenzo.
- LorenzoCerto, vi vedrò molto presto.Of course, I will see you all very soon.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
