How to Say I Love You in Chinese: 我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ) and Sweeter Ways
I love you in Chinese is 我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ). Learn to pronounce it, when Chinese speakers really say it, and gentler ways like I like you, I miss you and 520.
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To say I love you in Chinese, say 我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ). The words come in the same order as in English: 我 wǒ (I), 爱 ài (love), 你 nǐ (you).
How to pronounce 我爱你#
- 我 wǒ: third tone, low and relaxed.
- 爱 ài: fourth tone, a short firm fall.
- 你 nǐ: third tone; at the end of the phrase it can dip and rise a little.
Listen to each word on its own, then say the three together slowly. The falling 爱 in the middle carries the feeling. The four tones are explained, with audio, in the Chinese tones guide.
Do Chinese speakers really say 我爱你?#
Less often than in English. Many couples express love through care and actions, and keep 我爱你 for important moments. Between parents and children, it is often shown rather than said, although younger generations say it more and more.
Gentler ways to say I love you#
- 我喜欢你 is how many people confess their feelings at first: it sounds lighter than 我爱你.
- 我想你 literally means "I think of you", and is the everyday way to say "I miss you".
- 爱你 drops the 我: a casual "love you" at the end of a message.
我喜欢喝热茶。
I like drinking hot tea.
520: I love you in numbers#
Online, people write 520 (wǔ èr líng), because said quickly it sounds close to 我爱你. 1314 (yī sān yī sì) sounds like 一生一世 yìshēng yíshì, "for a whole lifetime", so 5201314 means "I will love you for life".
Words for a sweetheart#
宝贝 bǎobèi (baby, darling) and 亲爱的 qīn'ài de (dear) are the most common pet names. Discover the character at the heart of all these words in the page on love in Chinese.
Sweet words are a lovely start. For everyday conversations, continue with the basic Chinese words for greetings, thanks and family, each with its recording.
Quick check
Frequently asked questions
How do you say I love you in Chinese?
Say 我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ). 我 wǒ means I, 爱 ài means to love and 你 nǐ means you, in the same order as in English.
Why do Chinese people say 520 for I love you?
Said quickly, 520 (wǔ èr líng) sounds a little like 我爱你. That is why 520 is used online for "I love you", and why 20 May (5/20) has become a romantic day in China.
How do you answer I love you in Chinese?
Say 我也爱你 (wǒ yě ài nǐ), "I love you too". 也 yě means also.
