Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ti amo | /ti ˈa.mo/ | informal, singular |
| vi amo | formal, plural |
This phrase is used specifically as an affirmation of romantic feeling. In Italian, you should reserve ti amo exclusively for romantic love. For friends or family, use ti voglio bene.
What does it mean word for word?
The word amo is the first-person singular present indicative of the verb amare, meaning "to love".
Which one should you use?
ti amo is used when speaking to one person informally, whereas vi amo is the plural and formal form. For friends and family, use ti voglio bene and reserve ti amo exclusively for romantic love.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ti amo is an informal singular form. vi amo is a formal plural form.
How does it change in a sentence?
The pronoun ti in ti amo refers to a single person whom you address informally.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ti ˈa.mo/. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use ti amo for friends or parents, which sounds inappropriately romantic in Italian. Use ti voglio bene for friends and family instead.
When do people say it?
The phrase Ti voglio bene is used to express love towards friends or family in a more casual manner. The phrase Le voglio bene is used to express love in a more formal and respectful way, especially towards an older family member or someone you hold in high regard. The expression Ti amo da morire is an informal way to say "I love you to death."
Did you know?
- In Italy, saying ti amo for the first time is a major milestone that often marks the official beginning of a serious relationship.
- While ti amo is for romance, the phrase ti voglio bene literally translates to 'I want you well'.
- The pronoun ti is actually a linguistic evolution of the Latin dative 'tibi', showing how much the language changed over centuries.
Examples in context
- So che ti amo.I know that I love you.This sentence is useful for saying that you know you love someone using ti amo.Tatoeba #8425678 by Guybrush88, translation #7521816 by CK
- Ti amo di più.I love you more.This sentence is useful for expressing that you love someone more using ti amo.Tatoeba #13298320 by Guybrush88, translation #12675782 by anzart
- Io ti amo, Tom.I love you, Tom.This sentence is useful for addressing someone by name while saying you love them using ti amo.Tatoeba #4649429 by Guybrush88, translation #2765612 by CK
- Mi hai reso la persona più felice sulla terra. Ti amo, Giulia.You have made me the happiest person on earth. I love you, Giulia.
- Sei il mio migliore amico. Ti voglio bene, Luca.You are my best friend. I love you (informal), Luca.
- Sei la ragione per cui il mio cuore batte forte. Ti amo da morire, Marco.You are the reason my heart beats fast. I love you to death, Marco.
- 136 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A romantic dinner at a quiet restaurant.
- AlessandroTi amo tanto, Chiara.I love you so much, Chiara.
- ChiaraAnche io ti amo, Alessandro.I love you too, Alessandro.
- AlessandroSei la mia vita.You are my life.
- ChiaraE tu sei il mio tutto.And you are my everything.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “I love you” translations and entries ti amo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries amo, ti, vi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
