Te Amo, Te Quiero, Je T’aime: Discovering the Depth of Love in Multiple Languages

Love is a universal language with no boundaries. From the enchanting streets of Paris to the serene temples of Kyoto, this feeling is whispered and proclaimed in countless tongues, each with a unique flair. Today, we will not only tell you how to say I love you in different languages but also explore all the cultural nuances, special customs, and global conceptions of saying the three main words. 

Whether you are a linguistic enthusiast, a hopeless romantic seeking to impress your loved one, or simply curious about the diverse expressions of love, this article is for you. Get ready to fall head over heels into the enchanting realm of romantic expressions from all over the world.

7 Types of Love

Let us ask you a question – what do you think love is? And don’t get us wrong, we don’t want to go all philosophical; just looking for diverse opinions. We believe love is a kaleidoscope of emotions with various shades and hues, each painting a distinct picture of affection and connection. Before learning the linguistic ways to say I love you in different languages, let’s dive deeper into the psychology of love and explore the seven main types of this powerful feeling.

1. Eros – passionate or romantic love. It involves intense desire, attraction, and a sensual connection between two individuals.
2. Philia – love between friends or deep companionship. It is characterized by loyalty, trust, and mutual respect.
3. Agape – selfless, unconditional, and universal love. It is often associated with a compassionate or altruistic love that extends beyond personal interests or desires.
4. Storge – familial or parental love. It is a natural affection and deep bond between family members, including parents, children, and siblings.
5. Ludus – playful or flirtatious love. It refers to the lighthearted and carefree love experienced in the early stages of a romantic relationship or through casual interactions.
6. Pragma – practical or enduring love. It is a mature, long-lasting feeling that evolves based on shared values, mutual understanding, and compromise.
7. Philautia – self-love. It encompasses a healthy sense of self-worth, self-acceptance, and self-care, promoting a positive relationship with oneself.

In some languages, different words describe all these types of love. The best examples come from Japanese; native speakers have two terms that can be translated as “love” in English. The word “koi” (恋) describes ludus, and “ai” (愛) refers to pragma. 

Romance Around the World: How to Say I Love You in Different Languages

Just think about it for a second – there are over six thousand languages in the world, all related to several language families. And, of course, each language has its way of saying I love you. So why don’t you bear with us and learn what words people in different countries use to express their romantic feelings? Take a look at this extensive list of various options for saying I love you in foreign languages!

• Romance Languages

French – Je t’aime – /ʒə tɛm/ 

Spanish – Te amo/Te quiero – /teː ˈa.moː/; /te ˈkjɛ.ɾo/ 

Portuguese – Eu te amo/Amo-te – /ew teː ˈa.mo/; /ˈa.mo te/

Italian – Ti amo/ Ti voglio bene – /ti ˈa.mo/; /ti ˈvɔʎ.ʎo ˈbɛ.ne/ 

• Asian Languages 

Japanese – 愛してる (Aishteru) – /aɪ.ɕi.te.ɾɯ/ 

Korean – 사랑해 (Saranghae) – /sa.ɾaŋ.ɦɛ/

Mandarin Chinese – 我爱你 (Wǒ ài nǐ) – /wɔː aɪ niː/

Arabic – أحبك (Uhibbuka) – /ʔu.hib.bu.ka/

Vietnamese – Anh yêu em – /ʔaŋ jɜːʊ̯ ɛm/

Thai – ฉันรักคุณ (Chan rak khun) – /t͡ɕʰan rák kʰun/

• Germanic Languages

German – Ich liebe dich – /ɪç ˈliːbə dɪç/

Dutch – Ik hou van je – /ɪk ɦɑʊ vɑn jə/

Swedish – Jag älskar dig – /jɑː ˈɛlːskar dɪj/

Norwegian – Jeg elsker deg – /jɛɪ̯ ˈɛlskər deɪ̯/

• Balto-Slavic Languages

Lithuanian – Aš tave myliu – /aʃ taːvɛ mɪlʲʊ/

Latvian – Es tevi mīlu – /ɛs tɛvi miːlu/

Czech – Miluji tě – /ˈmɪlʊjɪ tjeː/

Polish – Kocham cię – /ˈkɔxam t͡ɕɛ/

Ukrainian – Я тебе кохаю (Ya tebe kohaiu) – /ja tɛbɛ kɔˈɦɑjʊ/

• Balkan Languages

Albanian – Të dua (tə du.a) – /tə du.a/

Bulgarian – Обичам те (Obicham te) – /ɔ.bit͡ʃ'am te/ 

Macedonian – Те сакам (Te sakam) – /tɛ sa.kam/

Romanian – Te iubesc – /te ju.besk/

How to Say I Love You in Fiction Languages

If you’ve thought that we’re just gonna stop there, no, we don’t! You already know some different languages to say I love you, so why shouldn’t we add a few more? But this time, let’s make them fictional! There are (unexpectedly) many foreign tongues created for various novels and movies, and even they contain special words to express romantic feelings. 

• Klingon – qamuSHa – /qɑ.muʃ.ɑ/

You don’t have to be Sheldon Cooper to recognize this legendary language. It comes from Star Trek, an extremely famous sci-fi media franchise from the 80s that is still quite popular nowadays. While the main idea of these movies and TV shows is hard to call romantic, there is enough love between the characters. And if they wanted to show it, they would definitely use this phrase.

• Dothraki – Anha zhilak yera norethaan – /ˈɑn.hɑ ʒi.ˈlɑk ˈjɛ.rɑ ˈno.rɛ.θɑn/

In the fictional world of Game of Thrones, the Dothraki language’s purpose was to give life to the nomadic horse-riding warriors who went by the same name. Although their culture may be fierce and war-oriented, love can still bloom amidst the rugged landscapes. And when it happened, they used this phrase to their loved ones. (Shout out to Jason Momoa, who played the role of Khal Drogo, for nailing this language because it’s hard to imagine how complicated it was.)

• Na’vi – Nga yawne lu oer – /ŋɑ ˈjɑw.nɛ lu ɔr/

This language appeared in the breathtaking world of Pandora from the Avatar movies. Na’vi is spoken by indigenous humanoid species. They are known for their bond with nature, which is as strong as their capacity for love. 

• Elvish – Melin le – /ˈmɛ.lin lɛ/

The Elvish languages hold a special place within the extensive world of J. R. R. Tolkien. From Quenya to Sindarin, these tongues embody the elegance and ethereal nature of the elves. There are numerous dialects of Elvish, but this phrase is almost universal. It creates a heartfelt expression that captures the sentiment of love.

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Famous Romantic Quotes in Different Languages

Now you know how to say I love you in multiple languages, real and fictional. Yet, it is important to note that it’s not the only way to express your feelings toward your special someone! Like English, other languages contain many phrases, sayings, and famous quotes about love. Below, we’ve collected the best ones. 

• “C’est cela l’amour, tout donner, tout sacrifier sans espoir de retour” (French) – That is love, to give away everything, to sacrifice everything, without waiting for anything in return. – Albert Camus
• “La vie est une fleur dont l’amour est le miel” (French) – Life is a flower of which love is the honey. – Victor Hugo 
• “Si yo pudiera darte una cosa en la vida, me gustaría darte la capacidad de verte a ti mismo a través de mis ojos. Sólo entonces te darás cuenta de lo especial que eres para mí” (Spanish) – If I could give you one thing in life, I would like to give you the ability to see yourself through my eyes. Only then will you realize how special you are to me. – Frida Kahlo
• “Aimer, ce n’est pas se regarder l’un l’autre, c’est regarder ensemble dans la même direction” (French) – Love is not looking at each other, but looking together in the same direction. – Antoine de Sainte-Exupéry
• “Siamo angeli con un’ala sola, solo restando abbracciati possiamo volare” (Italian) – We are angels with only one wig; only embracing each other we are able to fly. – Luciano De Crescenzo 

These quotes are so beautiful; we’re screaming, crying, throwing up. But don’t you think they are still not enough to fully immerse yourself in the world of love in foreign languages? If you want to delve fully into the atmosphere, here’s something we can offer – a list of famous romantic songs in foreign languages and our favorite quotes from them. Turn up the volume, and let’s go!

Lara Fabian – Je T’aime

Original French lyrics:

Je t'aime, je t'aime

Comme un fou comme un soldat

Comme une star de cinéma

Je t'aime, je t'aime

Comme un loup, comme un roi

Comme un homme que je ne suis pas

Tu vois, je t'aime comme ça

English:

I love you, I love you

Like a madman, like a soldier

Like a movie star

I love you, I love you

Like a wolf, like a king

Like a man I am not

You see, I love you like this

Måneskin – Torna a Casa

Original Italian lyrics:

Prima di te ero solo un pazzo, ora lascia che ti racconti

Avevo una giacca sgualcita e portavo tagli sui polsi

Oggi mi sento benedetto e non trovo niente da aggiungere

Questa città si affaccia quando ci vedrà giungere

English:

Before you I was just a lunatic, let me tell you now

I wore a creased jacket and cuts on my wrists

Today I feel blessed and can't find anything else to add

This city will look out when it sees us arrive

Marc Anthony – Tu Amor Me Hace Bien

Original Spanish lyrics:

Te quiero así deliciosa insospechada

Porque creo en tu palabra

Porque yo siento que aún te necesito

Porque me alteras las ganas

English:

I love you in this way, delightful and unsuspecting

Because I believe in your word

Because I feel that I still need you

Because you alter me the desires

Gjon’s Tears – Tout l’Univers

Original French lyrics:

Tout l'univers

Nos deux cœurs sous la terre

Au milieu des failles où tout éclate

Se trouver au point d'impact

Sans toi

English:

The whole universe

Our two hearts under the ground

At the centre of the rifts where everything explodes

Being at the point of impact

Without you

Cute and Funny Terms of Endearment from Different Countries

Terms of endearment are an integral part of love and romance. Some people use traditional flattering words; others stick with unique nicknames, but they all have one purpose – to express love and strong feelings to their spouses. You might be surprised, but some typical English terms of endearment might be considered offensive in foreign countries. 

For example, when you call someone “honey,” they will probably be flattered. However, if you use the same word for a person from France, they will think you’re calling them a sticky mess. To avoid such misunderstandings, look at these cute and sweet terms from around the world.

• Petit choux – France

While Americans are used to calling each other pumpkins, French people prefer a different vegetable – little cabbage. But don’t be scared; even though this phrase translates exactly like that, it has a different meaning – an excellent and delicious dessert. The best alternative to this term in English is “sweetie.”

• Honigkuchenpferd – Germany

We can almost see the confusion on your face, and there is no wonder why – not only does this term look a bit terrifying itself, it has a very unexpected definition; verbatim, it means “honey cake horse.” If you are thinking about how it could be a cute and funny term of endearment, let us give you a brief explanation. Germans have a tradition of making honigkuchen – gingerbread shaped like a horse. So when locals call someone this way, they just tell them how sweet they are and how they remind them about their favorite holiday treat.

• Tamago gata no kao – Japan

Ah, Japan, a land of rich culture and unique expressions of affection. This term is a charming and playful way to express endearment. However, translated literally, it means “egg with eyes” or “face like an egg.” While it might sound unusual at first, the term actually carries a positive connotation. In Japanese culture, oval-shaped faces are considered extremely attractive, so “tamago gata no kao” is the greatest compliment.

Learning How to Say I Love You in Different Languages with Promova

Regardless of the language you are going to learn, a little help will always provide more opportunities. That is why we want to introduce you to the Promova app – your one-stop solution towards fluency. Why should you choose it? Here’s what sets us apart:

• Diverse Language Selection. With Promova, you can access a vast selection of languages to learn. From popular choices like Spanish, French, and Chinese to less commonly taught languages, we offer many options to suit your interests and goals.
• Engaging Interactive Lessons. Say goodbye to dull textbooks and hello to interactive lessons that make language learning fun! Our exercises are carefully crafted to keep you engaged through immersive activities, interactive quizzes, and real-life simulations, ensuring that every step of your learning journey is enjoyable.
• Personalized Learning Experience. We recognize that each person learns in their own way. That’s why Promova provides personal guided courses tailored to your needs. Our intelligent algorithms analyze your progress, adapt to your strengths and weaknesses, and deliver content that maximizes your learning potential.
• Gamified Progress Tracking. Stay motivated and track your progress with our gamified system. Earn points, unlock achievements, and reach new levels as you conquer language challenges. Learning becomes a thrilling adventure!

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to discover new cultures, expand your horizons, and open doors to infinite possibilities. Experience the power of language with the Promova iOS and Android application and become a confident, fluent speaker of English, Spanish, French, Chinese, and other foreign languages. 

Conclusion

Love is a powerful feeling every person experiences at least once in their life. That is why it is important to share it with people who are significant to you. And luckily, it will be much easier to do with today’s expressions and phrases! We hope that this article was helpful. By the way, what is your favorite love song of all time? Don’t be shy, tell us in the comments!