How To Say I Love You in Chinese with Phrases and Numbers

Learning Mandarin Chinese serves various purposes for different individuals. Some are captivated by Chinese culture, hoping to befriend natives or delve into Chinese social media. In contrast, others aim to learn Chinese and secure job opportunities in China. You might be part of another set of learners - those who have feelings for a Chinese national, increasing the desire to learn how to express romantic feelings in their native language.

As a result, a language barrier can be the most frustrating when you are trying to cross it for love. One might become curious about how Mandarin speakers convey their affection in Chinese and the nuances of expressing "love you in Chinese" culturally.

This article delves into the diverse ways to articulate "I love you" in Chinese.

The literal translation of “I love you” in Chinese.

If you were to translate "I love you" into Mandarin Chinese using Google Translate, you would get the result: 我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ). The character 爱 (ài), signifying "love," is pivotal in showcasing feelings or strong affection towards another individual.

The phrase "I love you" is universally recognized as a powerful declaration of affection. However, when it comes to expressing "I love you" in Chinese, especially in Mandarin Chinese, it carries a deeper resonance.

The cultural differences in expressing "I love you" in Chinese culture.

In Mandarin Chinese, 我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ) is not a term to use lightly. It expresses profoundly intense emotion and is not spoken in passing. That is why many might find it intriguing that you will seldom hear "I love you" in Chinese among couples during their dating phase. It is reserved for profound moments, like weddings or anniversaries, where Chinese couples feel the depth of their bond.

Yet, the scope of 我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ) in Mandarin Chinese extends beyond romantic relationships. It is a versatile term with the same meaning to convey love between family members, especially from Chinese parents towards their children.

But many Chinese natives have revealed that their Chinese parents never said 我爱你 to them. The real reason is that Chinese people consider 我爱你 too intense when showing affection to their children. They would rather show their kids love with actions than words. You can see the scope of how 我爱你 is used when it comes out of left field with the video below:

To highlight this parent-child relationship and the cultural differences between the West and China, Domee Shi, a Chinese-born Canadian storyboard artist, has written and produced the Pixar short “Bao.” In the movie, the Chinese-Canadian mother's main character shows love and care for her steamed bun by feeding him and spending much time playing with him instead of telling him 我爱你. The director, Shi, explained, “Traditionally, Chinese parents do not say ‘I love you' to their kids. They say it with food or by fussing over them.”

Chinese phrases and words to say I love you

Those three words 我爱你 literally translate to “I love you” and are common among foreigners, but they do not have the same meaning and effect in Chinese as in English. Thankfully, you can use a few other phrases to confess your feelings to someone.

1. 我喜欢你 (wǒ xǐ huān nǐ) – “I like you”

This alternative is used in casual situations where “wǒ ài nǐ” is considered too “formal” or “serious.” When you have a crush on someone, confessing to them with “wǒ ài nǐ” would make the other feel strange and awkward.

Instead, use “wǒ xǐhuān nǐ,” and your Chinese crush will understand that you have feelings for them and want to ask them out on a date politely. 

2. 我对你感兴趣 (wǒ duì nǐ gǎn xìng qu) – “I am interested in you”

This phrase is often used interchangeably with the previous “wǒ xǐ huān nǐ” in the context of a confession of feelings. You often use this phrase to tell your crush that you see them as more than just a friend. 

3. 我想你 (wǒ xiǎng nǐ) – “I miss you” or “I am thinking of you”

A lack of communication can ruin a relationship. On Chinese social media, many have shared the importance of constant engagement. There are many reasons for this problem, but a large population of Chinese singles attribute this to the difficulties of modern life.

In China, where work demands and the pace of urban life can be overwhelming, a simple phrase like "我想你 (wǒ xiǎng nǐ)," "我好想你" (wǒ hǎo xiǎng nǐ) or "我想念你 (wǒ xiǎngniàn nǐ) can bridge the gap.

It is a gentle reminder of someone's presence in your life, reassuring your partner of your thoughts and feelings, even in their absence. In relationships, particularly long-distance ones, expressing sentiments like "wǒ xiǎng nǐ" can be crucial in maintaining the bond.

4. 你真漂亮 (Nǐ zhēn piàoliang) – “You are so beautiful”

Sometimes, it is better to communicate with your crush or lover using a more subtle angle than with common phrases like “wǒ ài nǐ” or “wǒ xǐ huān nǐ.” Especially if your crush is someone who is unapproachable at first, chances are they would turn you down if you confess to them directly “wǒ xǐ huān nǐ.”

A compliment such as “Nǐ zhēn piàoliang” (You are so beautiful) or “Chuān yī fú zhēn pèi nǐ” (You look great in those clothes) is a great way to start your conversation with your crush. It also indicates that you think of them positively.

5. 你是我的唯一 (Nǐ shì wǒ de wéiyī) – “You are my only one”

When your relationship gets deeper and more serious, you will no longer want to keep things casual. You will make several changes to advance to an exclusive relationship, starting with your communication. So, you’ll drop casual lines for honeyed words and phrases. You can use phrases to let your partner know they are the apple of your eye. 

• 你是我的唯一 (Nǐ shì wǒ de wéiyī) – “You are my only one”

• 我的心里只有你 (Wǒ de xīnlǐ zhǐ yǒu nǐ) – “In my heart, I only have you.”

• 我会一直陪着你 (Wǒ huì yīzhí péizhe nǐ) – “I will stay with you forever.”

• 你对我而言如此重要 (Nǐ duì wǒ éryán rúcǐ zhòngyào) – “You mean so much to me”

Chinese slangs to express "I love you"

While traditional phrases have charm, modern slang offers a refreshing spin to express love in Chinese, making them a favorite among the younger populace. Here are some of the most popular slang to say "I love you" in Mandarin:

1. 我笃定你了 (Wǒ dǔdìng nǐ le) – “I'm so sure about you”

As feelings evolve and connections deepen, expressing love in Mandarin often becomes more profound and poetic. Gone are the days of casual flirting. Instead, you are searching for ways to express the depth of your feelings.

For moments when you are confident about your partner and your shared future, phrases like these convey that certainty. It is not just about being in love anymore; it is about being sure, committed, and seeing them as an integral part of your journey.

2. 我爱你三千遍 (Wǒ ài nǐ sān qiān biàn) – "I love you 3000 times"

This phrase has become a millennial and Gen-Z favorite. "I love you three thousand" is a famous line from Morgan Stark to Tony Stark in Avengers Endgame. This term signifies boundless love, showcasing affection and a shared understanding of contemporary nuances.

3. W爱4yu – "I love you to death"

Embracing the digital age, this slang incorporates English numbers and letters to sound like "I love you phonetically." The "W" stands for 我 (Wǒ), 爱 is love, 4 is 死 (sǐ), and "yu" sounds similar to you. It is commonly used in texts, reflecting the convergence of languages in the digital era.

4. 撒浪嘿呦 (Sā làng hēi yōu) – "Saranghaeyo"

This term embodies love's playful and casual side, as pronouncing it in Mandarin sounds like "Saranghaeyo" in Korean.

5. 我稀饭你 (Wǒ xī fàn nǐ) – "I rice you"

This quirky term literally translates to "I rice you." It is a playful pun since "稀饭" in Chinese sounds similar to "喜欢," which means "like." It is a lighthearted way to express fondness and appreciation.

6. 么么哒 (Mē mē dā) – "Muah"

This slang is the Mandarin equivalent of sending a kiss. Often used in chats and messages, it is a sweet and simple way to show your affection.

Numbers to express "I love you"

Internet slang is not a new concept. In fact, internet users prefer this type of language when communicating and tend to create more creative slang. Abbreviations and acronyms are the two most common types in English.

But in Chinese, people often use number slang because they sound reasonably similar to other words, allowing people to form sentences, exchange ideas, and even declare love simply by typing a few digits!

Here are the digits 0-9 and some possible word equivalents.

1. 零 (líng) — “Zero” can be used to mean 你 (nǐ) — “you.” You may think I am crazy to say these two words are similar. But let me explain! In some Chinese dialects, the “n” and “l” sounds are interchangeable, which could somehow make sense.

2. 一 (yī) — “One” similar sounding to 要 (yào) – “to want.”

3. 二 (èr) — “Two” similar enough to 爱 (ài) – “love.”

4. 三 (sān) — “Three” is used in exchange for 生 (shēng) – “life.”

5. 四 (sì) — “Four” similar to 世 (shì) – “world”

6. 五 (wǔ) — “Five” is close enough to 我 (wǒ) – “I”

7. 六 (liù) — “Six” sounds like the grammar particle 了(le).

8. 七 (qī) — “Seven” similar to 亲 (qīn) – “dear, blood relation”

9. 八 (bā) — “Eight” Sounds like 抱 (bào) – “hug”

10. 九 (jiǔ) — “Nine” – sound like 久  (jiǔ) – “long time”

Here are some ways of saying how you feel towards others using numbers: 

• 1314 / 一三一四 (yī sān yī sì) → 一生一世 (yī shēng yī shì) — forever

• 520 / 五二零 (wǔ èr líng) → 我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ) — I love you

• 5201314 / 五二零一三一四 (wǔ èr líng yī sān yī sì) → 我爱你一生一世 (wǒ ài nǐ yī shēng yī shì) — I will love you forever 

• 521 / 五二一 (wǔ èr yī) → 我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ) — I love you

• 770 / 七七零 (qī qī líng) → 亲亲你 (qīn qīn nǐ) — kiss you

• 880 / 八八零 (bā bā líng) → 抱抱你 (bào bào nǐ) — hug you

BONUS: Chinese vocabulary list related to “I love you” 

Frequently asked questions

Are there subtler ways to convey romantic feelings in Chinese than just saying "I love you"?

Certainly! Phrases like "你对我很重要 (nǐ duì wǒ hěn zhòng yào)," meaning "You are very important to me," can be a subtler way to convey your feelings without saying the actual romantic words themselves.

How can I make my expression of love sound more poetic in Chinese?

Chinese has a vast history of poetry and literature; you can tap into that richness to express love poetically. One poetic phrase could be "月亮代表我的心 (yuè liàng dài biǎo wǒ de xīn)," which means "The moon represents my heart," from a famous Chinese song. It is a romantic way to express the depth of one's feelings.

Is it common to say "I love you" to a Chinese partner daily?

While it is becoming more common among younger generations to say "我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ)" frequently, traditionally, Chinese couples might not say it as often as Western couples. In Chinese culture, actions speak louder than words.

Can I use the same word to express love for Chinese families and close friends?

Yes and no. While "我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ)" is primarily used in a romantic context, Chinese speakers might use variations to express platonic love. For example, "我爱你们 (wǒ ài nǐ men)" can be used for families or groups, and "我喜欢你 (wǒ xǐhuān nǐ)," meaning "I like you," can be used for close friends, although it is more casual.

Is it awkward to say "I love you" to close friends in Chinese?

It is not common to use "我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ)" with close friends as it is primarily reserved for a romantic context. Instead, expressions like "我很关心你 (wǒ hěn guān xīn nǐ)" meaning "I really care about you" might be more appropriate.

The bottom line

In Chinese culture, expressing romantic feelings transcends mere words. Love symbols and certain phrases allow one to convey the sentiment of "I love you." These phrases of affection are not just for your romantic partner but also for your family members and dearest friends.

Once we dive into Chinese culture, it is evident that expressing romantic feelings is an art. If you are captivated by these expressions or the symbols of Chinese culture intrigues you, consider embarking on a learning journey—the Chinese language is fascinating. Engage with a Chinese person, understand their perspectives, and immerse yourself in their rich heritage. For many Chinese people, love is communicated through direct words and subtle gestures, historical idioms, and traditional rituals.

All in all, Chinese is a beautiful language. After reading this post, if you are interested in Chinese, do not hesitate to take a Chinese course and explore the language yourself.  

Jing You is a Chinese native who grew up in the Fujian province and soaked in the Chinese culture while living with her grandparents. She later moved to Singapore to pursue further education. However, she has always been passionate about the Mandarin language despite being in an environment that speaks English predominantly. She was involved in multiple Mandarin and Chinese culture programmes in schools, and brought this passion forward by tutoring elementary school students Mandarin in her adulthood.