15 Ways to Say I Love You in Chinese

When you put “I love you” into Google Translate, it will be translated into “我爱你(wǒ ài nǐ)” in Chinese. Actually, Chinese people seldom say “我爱你(wǒ ài nǐ)” directly to others, even to their loved ones. In their views, love can not be said casually, as it is a kind of responsibility and a kind of sacred happiness. Thus, Chinese people will express their love indirectly in other ways. Read on this article and find out 15 different ways to say “I love you” in Chinese.

Confess Love to the One You Like

If you like someone, you have to confess. You can try the Chinese expressions below.

1. 我喜欢你(wǒ xǐhuan nǐ) - I like you

喜欢(xǐhuan) is “like” or “be fond of” in English. The whole phrase means “I like you”. It is usually used when confessing love to someone. Chinese people tend to be more restrained with emotional expressions and don’t say “我爱你(wǒ ài nǐ)” too directly and easily. So they start from “我喜欢你(wǒ xǐhuan nǐ)”.

We can add some words to make this expression more expressive. Here are some examples:

2. 我对你一见钟情(wǒ duì nǐ yī jiàn zhōng qíng)

一见钟情 is a Chinese idiom which means to fall in love with someone at first sight. You can also say “一见倾心(yī jiàn qīng xīn)” instead. “倾心” means to lose one’s heart to someone.

3. 我想和你在一起(wǒ xiǎng hé nǐ zài yī qǐ)

When you really fall in love with someone, being with him or her must be the truest thing in your heart. At this time, you can tell that person what you think in Chinese, “我想和你在一起(wǒ xiǎng hé nǐ zài yī qǐ)” which means “I want to be with you.”

4. 请和我交往吧(qǐng hé wǒ jiāo wǎng ba)

请和我交往吧(qǐng hé wǒ jiāo wǎng ba) means “would you like to go out with me?” If you want someone you like to be your boyfriend or girlfriend, you can say to him or her, “请和我交往吧(qǐng hé wǒ jiāo wǎng ba)”.

Say These Words to Your Lover

How do you assure your lover of the violence of your affection? The following expressions can be helpful.

5. 我爱你，宝贝(wǒ ài nǐ, bǎo bèi)

“我爱你，宝贝(wǒ ài nǐ, bǎo bèi)” means “I love you, babe”. “宝贝(bǎo bèi)” means treasure. In Chinese, “宝贝(bǎo bèi)” is also a pet name for a beloved, mostly for children.

6. 你是我的唯一(nǐ shì wǒ de wéi yī)

This phrase translated into English is “you are the only one for me”. “唯一(wéi yī)” means only, unique and irreplaceable.

7. 我的心里只有你(wǒ de xīn lǐ zhǐ yǒu nǐ)

Both men and women in love want to be the only one in each other’s heart. So you can also say to your lover, “我的心里只有你(wǒ de xīn lǐ zhǐ yǒu nǐ)” which means “there is only you in my heart”. He or she will be happy and moved.

8. 我想你(wǒ xiǎng nǐ)

想(xiǎng) means to miss or think of. When you are separated from your lover for a while, you can’t help but think of him or her and miss the good time you had. How do you express your missing in Chinese? You can say “我想你(wǒ xiǎng nǐ)” or “我思念你(wǒ sī niàn nǐ)”. “思念(sī niàn)” is a more literary way of saying “想(xiǎng)” in Chinese.

9. 跟你在一起很开心(gēn nǐ zài yī qǐ hěn kāi xīn)

What do you do when you are with your lover? You can hold each other’s hands for a walk, eat street snacks, watch movies and play games together. Does all this make you happy? If so, be sure to tell your lover, “跟你在一起很开心(gēn nǐ zài yī qǐ hěn kāi xīn)” In English, it means I’m really happy with you.

Make a Proposal in Chinese 

10. 你愿意嫁给/娶我吗(nǐ yuàn yì jià gěi/qǔ wǒ ma)

In Chinese, there are two expressions of the word “marry”, one is “嫁(jià)” and the other is “娶(qǔ)”. A woman marring a man is “嫁(jià)”, while a man marrying a woman is “娶(qǔ)”. If you are not sure about the difference between the usage of “嫁(jià)” and “娶(qǔ)”, you can directly say “你愿意和我结婚吗?(nǐ yuàn yì hé wǒ jié hūn ma?)”

11. 让我陪你一起变老(ràng wǒ péi nǐ yī qǐ biàn lǎo)

This phrase is not a direct marriage proposal, but another euphemistic and affectionate way of proposing marriage, which implies the suitors’ determination to spend the rest of their life with their partners. There is a Chinese lyric that goes that this:

Say These Words to Your Partner

Life after marriage is not always romantic. There are daily trifles that can take a toll on your passion. And the best way to maintain a relationship is to understand and be accountable to each other. Your partner may want to hear the following words more than “我爱你(wǒ ài nǐ)”.

12. 有我在(yǒu wǒ zài)

有我在(yǒu wǒ zài) means “You’ve got me”. When your partner feel afraid, helpless or sad, saying “有我在(yǒu wǒ zài)” to him or her is far more romantic and reassuring than “我爱你(wǒ ài nǐ)”.

13. 别动，我来(bié dòng, wǒ lái)

When you say “别动，我来(bié dòng, wǒ lái)” to your partner, you tell him or her to stay there and you do what he or she has to do. It shows not only your sense of family responsibility, but also your love and concern for your partner.

14. Two More Advanced Rhetoric of  Saying I Love You in Chinese

Conclusion

These are the 15 different ways to say I love you in Chinese. They can be used at different stages of a relationship. Love words can boost the relationship between lovers. But whether it be to your loved ones, relatives or other things, your actions are more important than your words. There is a saying in China that company is the longest confession of love. So just spend more time with the people you love. If you know more Chinese expressions of I love you, please share with us in the comments below.