Valentine’s Day is almost here, and love is blossoming all around!
Imagine the enchantment of sharing your feelings through texting or whispering gentle words in Chinese during a dreamy date.
Today, we’re unlocking the heart with 15 Chinese love phrases, each one a delicate key to new romantic adventures and heartfelt expressions.
Whether you’re charming a Chinese speaker or wishing to sprinkle a dash of exotic allure into your love life, these phrases are your passport to fluently convey your emotions.
I‘m thinking about you 我想你了
Embark on a sentimental journey with a phrase that softly echoes the feelings of a gentle heart: 我想你了 (wǒ xiǎng nǐ le). A subtle yet deeply expressive whisper that, through text or call, can bridge the miles between you and your beloved.
Let’s decode the phrase: 我 (wǒ) means “I,” 想 (xiǎng) translates to “to think” or “to miss (someone),” 你 (nǐ) is “you,” and 了 (le) gives a gentle nod to the present, revealing a lingering sentiment.
Use this phrase when your heart quietly yearns for someone special, but the words to tell them are playfully hidden behind shy butterflies. It paves a tender path towards a deeper, blossoming connection.
I long to see you 我想見你/我想见你
Journey onward with another romantic expression for your love tale: 我想見你/我想见你 (wǒ xiǎng jiàn nǐ). This phrase beautifully conveys a yearning not just felt in the heart but also seen in the soul, becoming particularly poignant when separated from your cherished one.
Revisiting our first phrase, 我 (wǒ) means “I” and 你 (nǐ) represents “you.” However, 想 here shifts its main meaning, hinting at a desire, essentially short for 想要 (xiǎng yào), which means “to want” or “to long for.”
The fresh addition here is 見/见 (jiàn), embodying “to see” or “to meet.” When woven together, 我想見你/我想见你 softly articulates, “I long to see you.”
Employ this phrase when distance births an ache, a longing to be closer, and your spirit silently beckons for their presence.
I want to give you a hug 我想給你一個擁抱/我想给你一个拥抱
Unraveling another heartfelt phrase, we have 我想給你一個擁抱/我想给你一个拥抱 (wǒ xiǎng gěi nǐ yī ge yōngbào), which tenderly says, “I want to give you a hug.”
While this phrase might look a bit long at first, you’re already acquainted with parts of it: 我 for “I.” 想 in this context is short for 想要, meaning “to want.” And 你 is “you.”
Now, diving into the new words: 給/给 (gěi) translates as “to give,” 一 (yī) is “one,” and 擁抱/拥抱 (yōngbào) is our affectionate “hug.”
Wondering about 個/个 (ge)? It functions as a measure word, bridging the number 一 and the noun 擁抱/拥抱.
While a hug emoji 🫂 is a quick tap away in our digital age, imagine the warmth and depth felt when expressing such a sentiment through these romantic words. It’s bound to touch the heartstrings of your loved one just a bit more deeply.
Do you miss me? 你想我嗎/你想我吗？
Sometimes, posing a gentle question carries more charm than making a bold declaration. The query 你想我嗎/你想我吗？(nǐ xiǎng wǒ ma) embodies this subtlety inquiring, “Do you miss me?”.
You’ll be delighted to discover there’s only one new character to learn here: the yes/no question particle 嗎/吗 (ma). This character turns statements into questions, making it a must-have for your Chinese vocabulary.
Diving into its components, 你 (nǐ) signifies “you,” 想 (xiǎng) translates as “to miss” or “to think,” and 我 (wǒ) represents “me” in this context.
By adding the question particle 嗎/吗 (ma) to the end, the entire question translates to “Do you miss me?” or “Do you think of me?”.
I like you 我喜歡你/我喜欢你
When you’re ready to express your feelings and take a step forward in a relationship, 我喜歡你/我喜欢你 (wǒ xǐhuān nǐ) is your go-to phrase, which simply means “I like you.”
You already know 我 for “I” and 你 for “you,” so now let’s explore 喜歡/喜欢 (xǐhuān). It translates to “to like” or “to be fond of.”
While at first glance, 我喜歡你/我喜欢你 may seem like a casual declaration, in Chinese culture, it holds deeper meaning. It often carries the weight of “I love you.”
The word for “love,” 愛/爱, isn’t used lightly by many Chinese, especially in newer relationships. So, if you’re looking to deepen your bond, 喜歡/喜欢 is a heartfelt and culturally sensitive choice.
I’ve had a crush on you for a long time 我喜歡你很久了/我喜欢你很久了
Taking the sentiment a step further, we come across another romantic phrase: 我喜歡你很久了/我喜欢你很久了 (wǒ xǐhuān nǐ hěn jiǔ le). This touching expression means, “I’ve had a crush on you for a long time.”
By now, you should be familiar with 我 (I), 你 (you), and 喜歡/喜欢 (to like).
The new additions here are 很 (hěn), meaning “very” or “quite,” and 久 (jiǔ), which translates to “long” in terms of time. When combined with 了 (le), which suggests a continuous or past action, the phrase conveys a lingering affection that has stood the test of time.
In the realm of romance, confessing such long-standing feelings can be a game-changer!
While it goes beyond a simple “I like you,” it doesn’t quite venture into the profound depths of “I love you.” It’s a delicate way to share that someone has been special to you for a while, possibly even before they realized it.
I like your smile 我喜歡你的笑容/我喜欢你的笑容
Every love story has its cherished moments and details. Capturing one such detail, we have the phrase: 我喜歡你的笑容/我喜欢你的笑容 (wǒ xǐhuān nǐde xiàoróng). This expression translates to “I like your smile.”
We’ve already learned the words 我 (I), 你 (you), and 喜歡/喜欢 (to like). Building on that, 的 (de) is a possessive particle that denotes ownership or characteristics. When combined with 你, as in 你的, it becomes “your.”
Rounding out the phrase, 笑容 (xiào róng) beautifully captures the essence of “smile.”
Appreciating someone’s smile carries undeniable magic. It’s more than just a compliment about a physical feature; it’s a nod to the joy, warmth, and unique personality behind that smile.
With this phrase, you celebrate the emotions and moments that illuminate the face of someone special.
I like your personality 我喜歡你的性格/我喜欢你的性格
When you’re drawn to more than just the physical traits of someone special, delve deeper with the phrase: 我喜歡你的性格/我喜欢你的性格 (wǒ xǐhuān nǐde xìnggé). This expression conveys, “I like your personality.”
You’re already acquainted with 我 (I), 喜歡/喜欢 (to like) and 你的 (your). Now, introducing 性格 (xìnggé), which means “personality” or “character.”
With this phrase 我喜歡你的性格/我喜欢你的性格, you’re expressing admiration not just for what’s visible but for the core of who they are, creating an intimate bond that’s built on genuine affection and understanding.
Do you like me? 你喜歡我嗎/你喜欢我吗？
Sometimes, stepping into the realm of love and affection can be filled with uncertainty. For those moments when you’re not quite sure if the feeling is mutual, pose the gentle question: 你喜歡我嗎/你喜欢我吗？(nǐ xǐ huān wǒ ma). Directly, this translates to “Do you like me?”.
Remember our yes/no question marker 嗎/吗 (ma)? It converts statements into questions.
By combining 你 for “you,” 喜歡/喜欢 (xǐ huān) for “to like,” and 我 for “me,” then rounding it off with the question marker 嗎/吗, you’re gently seeking clarity on their feelings without putting too much pressure on the situation.
In Chinese culture, this simple query can often echo deeper sentiments, resonating with the sentiment: “Do you love me?”.
You stole my heart 你偷走了我的心
There are moments when our feelings flow with a poetic intensity. For such passionate instances, the phrase 你偷走了我的心 (nǐ tōu zǒu le wǒde xīn) beautifully captures this sentiment, translating to “You stole my heart.”
Breaking it down, 你 (nǐ) stands for “you,” 偷 (tōu) means “to steal,” 走 (zǒu) translates to “to go” or “to take away,” 了 (le) indicates a completed action, 我的 (wǒde) is “my,” and 心 (xīn) represents “heart.”
In Chinese culture, as with many others, the heart symbolizes the core of one’s emotions. So, saying someone has “stolen your heart” is a profound testament to their impact on your life and feelings.
My heart was stolen by you 我的心被你偷走了
The sentence 我的心被你偷走了 (wǒde xīn bèi nǐ tōu zǒu le) offers a more passive expression of affection, translating to “My heart was stolen by you.”
Starting with 我的心 (wǒde xīn), which means “my heart,” followed by the passive marker 被 (bèi), shifts the emphasis from the doer to the heart’s experience.
Next, 你 (nǐ) is “you,” and as you might remember, 偷走了 (tōu zǒu le) means “stolen away.”
This poetic phrase places the heart center stage, adding another layer to the rich tapestry of love expressions in Chinese.
I’m yours 我是你的
When emotions run deep, and love knows no bounds, the phrase 我是你的 (wǒ shì nǐde) becomes a gentle surrender, translating simply yet profoundly to “I’m yours.”
In this phrase, we encounter one new word: 是 (shì), which can mean “am,” “are,” or “is,” depending on the context.
Let’s revisit a couple of familiar words: 我 (wǒ) means “I” and 你的 (nǐde) translates to “your” or “yours.”
Combined, 我是你的 declares a heartfelt pledge, signaling that you are giving yourself, in all your entirety, to the one you adore, becoming theirs.
We’re meant for each other 我們天生一對/我们天生一对
Ever felt an intense bond, a connection so strong it feels destined? The phrase 我們天生一對/我们天生一对 (wǒmen tiānshēng yī duì) captures that emotion, expressing the sentiment, “we’re meant for each other.”
Breaking down the sentence, 我們/我们 (wǒmen) translates to “we.” 天生 (tiānshēng), a blend of “nature” (天) and “birth” (生), conveys an innate or natural quality. Lastly, 一對/一对 (yī duì) signifies “a pair” or “a couple.”
Together, 我們天生一對/我们天生一对 doesn’t just communicate a perfect match. It speaks to a belief in destiny and an immediate connection.
I love you 我愛你/我爱你
In contrast to common usage in some cultures, the phrase 我愛你/我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ), translating to “I love you,” is often reserved for emotional arcs of dramas and films rather than in casual, everyday conversations within Chinese culture.
Let’s delve into the words: 愛/爱 (ài) symbolizes “to love.” Preceding that, 我 (wǒ) is “I,” and 你 (nǐ) means “you,” crafting a sincere and direct expression of love when joined together as 我愛你/我爱你.
As mentioned previously, in the cultural context, uttering this profound declaration isn’t taken lightly among many Chinese individuals, especially in the blossoming stages of a relationship.
Thus, saying 我愛你/我爱你 is often more suitable for a relationship that has weathered various challenges, embodying a stable and resilient love that has been tested and affirmed over time.
I love you from the bottom of my heart 我是真的愛你/我是真的爱你
When your emotions run deep and words like “I love you” might not fully encompass the depth of your feelings, the phrase 我是真的愛你/我是真的爱你 (wǒ shì zhēnde ài nǐ) adds an extra layer of sincerity and intensity, translating to “I love you from the bottom of my heart” or “I truly love you.”
Let’s look closer at the phrase: 我 (wǒ) stands for “I,” 是 (shì) is used as an emphasis here, 真的 (zhēnde) translates to “truly” or “really,” and 愛你/爱你 (ài nǐ) means “love you.”
Together, 我是真的愛你/我是真的爱你 is often used in a context where one seeks to affirm their genuine love, possibly in a situation where love might be in doubt or where one wants to reassure their partner of the authenticity of their feelings.
Thus concludes our heartful selection of 15 Chinese love phrases, each carefully chosen and presented from the bottom of our hearts! Not only have you discovered the literal meanings behind each expression, but you’ve also explored the contexts in which they shine brightest.
Ensuring that your relationship embarks on a heartwarming journey, utilize these phrases sincerely, uttering them with genuine emotion and in fitting moments.
May your expressions of love be met with warmth, and your heartfelt words deepen your connections.
