{"id":182493,"date":"2019-02-06T20:08:14","date_gmt":"2019-02-07T01:08:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/i-love-you-in-mandarin-chinese\/"},"modified":"2025-01-17T06:13:43","modified_gmt":"2025-01-17T11:13:43","slug":"i-love-you-in-mandarin-chinese","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/chinese\/i-love-you-in-mandarin-chinese\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Say I Love You in Chinese with 18 Phrases, Plus Gestures"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are so many more ways to say “I love you” in Mandarin Chinese than just \u6211\u7231\u4f60<\/strong>\u00a0(w\u01d2 \u00e0i n\u01d0)<\/em>.<\/p>\n

In China, you’d mostly use other, less straightforward expressions to show your love and affection. Let’s dive in deeper and look at some different ways to share romantic feelings in Mandarin.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Phrases to Say “I Love You in Chinese”<\/h2>\n

\u6211\u7231\u4f60 \u2014 I love you<\/h3>\n

Pinyin:<\/strong> w\u01d2 \u00e0i n\u01d0<\/em><\/p>\n

This is the most literal way to say “I love you” in Mandarin, but be careful with this one. The phrase isn’t commonly used in traditional Chinese culture. Western culture has influenced the younger Chinese generation, so it’s a bit more common now. But you’ll still rarely ever hear it in media.<\/p>\n

While you may be accustomed to telling your friends, partners and family members that you love them, Chinese families are not very vocal or direct when it comes to their affection for their loved ones.<\/p>\n

Naturally, saying\u00a0\u6211\u7231\u4f60\u00a0to someone from China might come across as strange<\/strong>, and that person might react in a way that’s less than ideal.<\/p>\n

Romance isn’t really embedded into Chinese culture the way it is in many other cultures. <\/strong>While English-speaking cultures often make a big deal out of who says “I love you” first, Chinese couples generally don’t really care.<\/p>\n

\u6211\u559c\u6b22\u4f60 \u2014 I like you<\/h3>\n

Pinyin: <\/strong>w\u01d2 x\u01d0 hu\u0101n n\u01d0<\/em><\/p>\n

This phrase is typically meant romantically\u2014you wouldn’t really say it to friends.<\/p>\n

In fact, it’s often used when you’re confessing your feelings for someone. You can also say it casually to someone you’re already dating if \u6211\u7231\u4f60<\/strong> would come off as too strong.<\/p>\n

\u6211\u597d\u60f3\u4f60 \u2014 I miss you so much<\/h3>\n

Pinyin: <\/strong>w\u01d2 h\u01ceo xi\u01ceng n\u01d0<\/em><\/p>\n

This works with close friends, loved ones and significant others. The milder version of it would be \u6211\u60f3\u4f60<\/strong>\u00a0(w\u01d2 xi\u01ceng n\u01d0)<\/em>, which simply means “I miss you.”<\/a><\/p>\n

\u6211\u4e3a\u4f60\u75af\u72c2 \u2014 I am crazy about you<\/h3>\n

Pinyin: <\/strong>w\u01d2 w\u00e8i n\u01d0 f\u0113ng ku\u00e1ng<\/em><\/p>\n

If you’re extremely infatuated with someone, this might be one phrase you’ll want to practice!<\/p>\n

\u6211\u53ea\u5c5e\u4e8e\u4f60 \u2014 I only belong to you<\/h3>\n

Pinyin:<\/strong> w\u01d2 zh\u01d0 sh\u01d4 y\u00fa n\u01d0<\/em><\/p>\n

You’ll usually hear this in Chinese love songs<\/a> and dramas<\/a>. Of course, you can also flip it around: \u4f60\u53ea\u5c5e\u4e8e\u6211<\/strong>\u00a0(n\u01d0 zh\u01d0 sh\u01d4 y\u00fa w\u01d2)<\/em> \u2014 “You only belong to me.”<\/p>\n

\u6211\u7231\u4f60\u4e00\u751f\u4e00\u4e16 \u2014 I love you for life<\/h3>\n

Pinyin:<\/strong> w\u01d2 <\/em>\u00e0i n\u01d0 y\u012b sh\u0113ng y\u012b sh\u00ec<\/em><\/p>\n

This is a very romantic phrase, to the point that it even has its own holiday.<\/p>\n

In 2013, January 4 was declared as “Love You Forever” day. That day was such a big deal because the date 2013\/1\/4 in Mandarin was \u4e8c\u96f6\u4e00\u4e09\u4e00\u56db<\/strong>\u00a0(\u00e8r l\u00edng y\u012b s\u0101n y\u012b s\u00ec)<\/em>, which sounds similar to this phrase.<\/p>\n

That holiday was literally a once-in-a-lifetime event, and thousands of couples rushed to get hitched on the historic date.<\/p>\n

\u7231\u4f60 \u2014 Love ya<\/h3>\n

Pinyin:<\/strong> \u00e0i n\u01d0<\/em><\/p>\n

The difference between \u6211\u7231\u4f60 and \u7231\u4f60 is the equivalent of “I love you” versus just “love you” or “love ya” in English. It’s not as serious and can be used between close friends and family.<\/p>\n

The full \u6211\u7231\u4f60 has very romantic implications, so when you want to say “love you” to your best friend, for example, you can opt for just \u7231\u4f60.<\/p>\n

Phrases for Confessing Feelings and Intentions<\/h2>\n

\u6211\u6697\u604b\u4f60 \u2014 I have a crush on you<\/h3>\n

Pinyin:<\/strong> w\u01d2 <\/em>\u00e0n li\u00e0n n<\/em>\u01d0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u6697\u604b<\/strong> means liking someone romantically, but secretly\u2014the other person doesn’t know.<\/p>\n

\u6211\u5e0c\u671b\u548c\u4f60\u4ea4\u5f80 \u2014 I’d like for us to go on a date<\/h3>\n

Pinyin: <\/strong>w\u01d2 x\u012b w\u00e0ng h\u00e9 n\u01d0 ji\u0101o w\u01ceng<\/em><\/p>\n

This is a straightforward way to ask someone out! Aside from \u4ea4\u5f80<\/strong>, you can also say \u7ea6\u4f1a<\/strong>\u00a0(yu\u0113 hu\u00ec)<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u6211\u60f3\u8ddf\u4f60\u5728\u4e00\u8d77 \u2014 I want to be with you<\/h3>\n

Pinyin: <\/strong>w\u01d2 xi\u01ceng g\u0113n n\u01d0 z\u00e0i y\u00ec q\u01d0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u5728\u4e00\u8d77\u00a0<\/strong>literally means “to be together” in Mandarin, so use this phrase when you’re ready to get serious with someone or you’re already committed to each other.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u6211\u60f3\u543b\u4f60 \u2014 I want to kiss you<\/h3>\n

Pinyin:<\/strong> w\u01d2 xi\u01ceng w\u011bn n\u01d0<\/em><\/p>\n

Be careful with the tones for this! \u543b<\/strong> means “kiss”\u2014but make sure to say it with the third tone<\/a>. The other person might mistake what you’re saying for \u95ee<\/strong>\u00a0(<\/em>w\u00e8n)<\/em> and assume you’re just going to ask them a question.<\/p>\n

Chinese Slang for Saying “I Love You”<\/h2>\n

\u7231\u8001\u864e\u6cb9 \u2014 I love you<\/h3>\n

Pinyin:<\/strong> \u00e0i l\u01ceo h\u01d4 y\u00f3u<\/em><\/p>\n

This slang expression is a transliteration of the English “I love you,” and it’s a lighthearted way of sharing your feelings. You’ll often read it online or in a chat.<\/p>\n

\u4e00\u4e09\u4e00\u56db \/ 1314 \u2014 Forever<\/h3>\n

Pinyin: <\/strong>y\u012b s\u0101n y\u012b s\u00ec<\/em><\/p>\n

Number slang<\/a> is also common via text or online. As you can see from the last two phrases, the Chinese are very big on creating slang by using similar sounds between numbers and other words.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u4e00\u4e09\u4e00\u56db \/ 1314<\/strong> is a homophone of the above-mentioned \u4e00\u751f\u4e00\u4e16<\/strong>, meaning “forever” in English.<\/p>\n

\u4e94\u4e8c\u96f6 \/ 520 \u2014 I love you<\/h3>\n

Pinyin:<\/strong> w\u01d4 \u00e8r l\u00edng<\/em><\/p>\n

\u4e94\u4e8c\u96f6 \/ 520<\/strong>\u00a0is a homophone of\u00a0\u6211\u7231\u4f60<\/strong>. When texting someone, you can actually just send them a message with 520<\/strong> in it, and they’ll understand that you’re saying you love them.<\/p>\n

This led to Chinese Internet Valentine’s Day<\/a>, created by netizens a few years back on May 20th (5\/20). Women often expect gifts or red packets on this day, so be prepared!<\/p>\n

\u4e94\u4e8c\u4e00 \/ 521 \u2014 I love you<\/h3>\n

Pinyin: <\/strong>w\u01d4 \u00e8r y\u012b<\/em><\/p>\n

520<\/strong> is much more popular, but \u4e94\u4e8c\u4e00 \/ 521<\/strong>\u00a0has romantic associations because it also sounds very similar to \u6211\u7231\u4f60<\/strong>. Chinese Internet Valentine’s Day is also celebrated on May 21.<\/p>\n

\u4e94\u4e8c\u96f6\u4e00\u4e09\u4e00\u56db \/ 5201314 \u2014 I’ll love you forever<\/h3>\n

Pinyin: <\/strong>w\u01d4 \u00e8r l\u00edng y\u012b s\u0101n y\u012b s\u00ec<\/em><\/p>\n

If 520<\/strong> isn’t enough, you can go above and beyond with \u4e94\u4e8c\u96f6\u4e00\u4e09\u4e00\u56db \/ 5201314<\/strong>! It’s based on an expression we’ve mentioned already: \u6211\u7231\u4f60\u4e00\u751f\u4e00\u4e16<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n

You can also shorten this to 2013<\/strong> to sound like \u7231\u4f60\u4e00\u751f<\/strong>\u00a0(\u00e0i n\u01d0 y\u00ec sh\u0113ng)<\/em>, which has roughly the same meaning as the full phrase.<\/p>\n

\u4e03\u4e03\u96f6 \/ 770 \u2014 Kiss you<\/h3>\n

Pinyin: <\/strong>q\u012b q\u012b l\u00edng<\/em><\/p>\n

This number slang, 770<\/strong>, is a reference to \u4eb2\u4eb2\u4f60<\/strong>\u00a0(q\u012bn q\u012bn n\u01d0)<\/em>, where\u00a0\u4eb2<\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>means “kiss.”\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u516b\u516b\u96f6 \/ 880 \u2014 Hug you<\/h3>\n

Pinyin: <\/strong>b\u0101 b\u0101 l\u00edng<\/em><\/p>\n

This phrase, literally 880<\/strong>, comes from \u62b1\u62b1\u4f60<\/strong>\u00a0(b\u00e0o b\u00e0o n\u01d0).<\/em>\u00a0\u62b1<\/strong> means to hug someone.<\/p>\n

But if you really want to do as the Chinese do, here are some gestures to express your love<\/strong> for your Chinese significant other.<\/p>\n

Gestures to Show Love in Chinese Culture<\/h2>\n

Show love with gifts rather than with words<\/h3>\n

The Chinese are all about showing<\/em> your love<\/strong> as opposed to\u00a0confessing<\/em> your love. And showing your love is often done with gifts and financial provisions.<\/p>\n

This may seem superficial to those from Western cultures, who often believe that personal sacrifices like time, energy and effort are strong indications of love.<\/p>\n

In China, wealth is seen as stability for the future<\/strong>, which aligns with Chinese ideals about love. China’s history of extreme poverty shaped the social norms of correlating affection with money<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Celebrate all the Chinese romantic holidays<\/h3>\n

If you thought Valentine’s Day was excessive, wait until you hear about all the romantic holidays in China!<\/p>\n

The Chinese might not say “I love you” outright, but they sure have lots of calendar days celebrating their love for one another.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Days to shower your Chinese partner with flowers, chocolates and other gifts include:<\/p>\n