With Valentine's Day right around the corner, you might want to learn a few Italian sentences to express love and affection – after all, Italian is often said to be the most romantic language in the world! What better way to celebrate the season of love than by learning how to express your affection in Italian?
First, let's solve a dilemma that often confuses English speakers: how do you say “I love you” in Italian? The answer is… it depends! Let's dive in, and explore the nuances of the possible translations!
Ti Amo
If you look up how to say “I love you” in Italian, you'll surely find the expression “Ti amo“. This is, in fact, the most direct translation of the English sentence… However, beware: “I love you” and “Ti amo” are used very differently in English and Italian! The Italian “ti amo” is an expression reserved for romantic partners, to express profound and intense love. Italians wouldn't use it to express affection to family, friends, or to someone they have just started dating… that might scare them off!
So… how do Italians express their affection to family and friends?
Ti voglio bene
When Italians want to say “I love you” to family and friends, they most often use “Ti voglio bene“. The most literal way to translate this Italian expression into English would be “I want good for you“, “I want you to be well“. It is an expression used to convey affection, care, and deep attachment towards family members and friends, without implying a romantic connection.
So, “ti amo” and “ti voglio bene” both mean “I love you“, but they are not quite interchangeable! Keep in mind these differences in order to avoid awkward conversations in Italian.
But what about other expressions of love and affection? Keep reading to learn 3 additional useful expressions!
Sono innamorato/a di te
This expression is the equivalent of the English “I'm in love with you“. This sentence is to be used with romantic partners, and it captures the intensity of emotions when you are head-over-heels in love with someone. Pay attention that the word “innamorato” changes according to the gender of the speaker: as a man, you'd say “sono innamorato”, while as a woman you'd say “sono innamorata“.
Ho una cotta per te
This sentence means “I have a crush on you“. It's perfect to use when you are still in the early stages of love, or perhaps experiencing a playful infatuation. For example, Italians would use this expression when playfully infatuated with a famous actor or actress!
Tengo molto a te
Here's another expression that, as “ti voglio bene“, can be used with family and friends as well. It means “I care a lot about you“: an endearing phrase that showcases the significance of that person in your life, whether they are a romantic partner, a family member, or a friend.
So, are you ready to embrace the charm and allure of the Italian language as you express your feelings to your loved ones?