Love & feelings
How to say I love you in Chinese
我爱你
wǒ ài nǐ
Literally: I · love · you
我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ) is the direct, unambiguous “I love you.” In Chinese culture it carries real weight — it’s said less freely than in English and saved for people you genuinely love, so it lands as a serious declaration rather than a casual sign-off.
Other ways to say it
- 我喜欢你
wǒ xǐhuan nǐ
I like you
Softer and earlier-stage — closer to “I have a crush on you.” Often the step before 我爱你.
- 我很爱你
wǒ hěn ài nǐ
I love you so much
Adds 很 (hěn, “very”) to warm and intensify the declaration.
- 520
wǔ èr líng
“I love you” in numbers
Texting slang: 5-2-0 sounds like 我爱你. May 20 (5/20) is China’s online Valentine’s Day.
In a sentence
我永远爱你。
Wǒ yǒngyuǎn ài nǐ.
I will love you forever.
How do you say "I love you" in Chinese?
To say “I love you” in Chinese, say 我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ). It’s a sincere, weighty declaration — for a lighter “I like you,” use 我喜欢你 (wǒ xǐhuan nǐ).
Related phrases
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