I love you too in Japanese

So, you’ve fallen for someone Japanese and want to let them know? Trying to understand the intricacies of dating in Japan?

Perhaps you’re wanting to understand the new TV show or manga that you’re into, or maybe you just want to learn how to express affection in another language.

Whatever your reason, you’ve stumbled on a very interesting topic, and you’re in the right place! Here are some great reasons to learn how to say I love you in Japanese:

1. Learn to express yourself in Japanese

Expressing yourself in new languages is a great way to challenge yourself and expand your world, plus you never know when it’ll come in handy!

2. Further your understanding of Japanese culture

Through this topic, you’ll take a deep dive into some of the cultural differences between Western society and Japan.

3. Impress your Japanese partner, friends, family and avoid potential awkwardness

As you’ll learn, expressing affection in Japan is quite different to what you may be used to. By reading up you’ll make sure to know what to say to whom without committing a faux-pas.

4. Understand TV shows, manga, and music

One of the best things about learning to say I love you in Japanese is that it will give you a deeper understanding of your favorite Japanese media, as the nuances between different ways of expressing feelings is often lost in a literal translation of words.

Are you ready?

How to say I love you in Japanese

For starters, here’s a little context.

In Japanese culture it’s actually very uncommon to verbally express affection in the way that we are used to in the West. While it might feel normal to text “I love you” to your significant other at random points in the day, in Japan that would be considered extremely intense!

In Japanese culture, love is something you demonstrate, not something you tell. Affection tends to be shown through behavior and actions rather than using words. Even between people who’ve been together for years, it’s very rare for the words “I love you” to be expressed out loud, as the understanding is already there without either person feeling like it needs to be said.

To a boyfriend, girlfriend and/or romantic love

So, how do you say I love you in Japanese?

The literal translation of I love you in Japanese is 愛してる(aishiteru), but this isn’t very commonly used, even in romantic situations. It’s a very “big” word and concept, a poetic ideal that implies a love that has been built over time, with a deep and profound respect for the other person. Even if that’s the case between two people, it’s still rare to express that verbally.

More commonly used is 好きだよ(sukidayo), which literally means “I like you”. 好き(suki) is used exactly as you use the world “like” in English, so it’s appropriate for platonic situations and more generally to refer to anything you like. So for example, ラーメンが好きです(ramen ga suki desu) means “I like ramen”. But it’s also the most commonly used phrase for expressing romantic interest, with context being the most important thing in differentiating between romantic and platonic situations.

The place where you’ll hear 愛(ai) being used a lot is on TV dramas, films, mangas and music- these often use 愛(ai) to add dramatic and romantic value to the story or song, so just be aware that this isn’t a reflection of daily life.

Now that you understand the context, here are some expressions using 愛(ai). Just remember- you wouldn’t use these unless you’re already very close to the person in question, and even then only on very special and/or emotional occasions.

To a friend, family member or platonic love

While the same rule applies that people don’t generally feel the need to use words to express that their love, when saying I love you in Japanese to a friend or family member, you would use 好き (suki) or 大好き(daisuki), which literally means “I like you a lot”, but carries the connotation of “love” when used in this context.

How to say I like you in Japanese

Ready to take the plunge and take your relationship to the next level? Want to know what to say to that person at the bar who’s been looking your way all night? This is the section for you, where we’ll learn ways of expressing romantic feelings at the earlier stages of a relationship.

Once again, we’ll use 好き(suki) and its variations, which are used to express all sorts of love. These phrases are also appropriate for people already in a relationship - in fact, given the heavy nature of 愛してる(aishiteru), you might be better off using these too.

Will you marry me? in Japanese

Ready to pop the big question? Although many Japanese couples won’t necessarily say 愛してる(aishiteru), even during a proposal, it’s probably one of the situations in which you can definitely get away with saying the phrase without seeming over the top. Here are some other phrases that might come in handy.

English

Hiragana

Katakana

Kanji

Japanese pronunciation

Will you marry me?

けっこんしてくれますか？

ケッコンシテクレマスカ

結構してくれますか？

kekkon shite kuremasuka?

I will make you happy forever

いっしょうしあわせにします

イッショウシアワセニシマス

一生幸せにします

ishou shiawase ni shimasu

I will love you forever

いっしょうあいしつづけます

イッショウアイシツヅケマス

一生愛し続けます

ishou ai shitsuzukemasu

I can’t imagine life without you

あなたがいないじんせいはかんがえられない

アナタガイナイジンセイハカンガエラレナイ

あなたがいない人生は考えられない

anata ga inai jinsei wa kangaerarenai

Will you make me the happiest woman in the world?

せかいいちしあわせなおんなにしてくれますか？

セカイイチシアワセナオンナニシテクレマスカ？

世界一幸せな女にしてくれますか？

sekai ichi shiawase na onna ni shite kuremasuka?

Will you make me the happiest man in the world?

せかいいちしあわせなおとこにしてくれますか？

セカイイチシアワセナオトコニシテクレマスカ？

世界一幸せな男にしてくれますか？

sekai ichi shiawase na otoko ni shite kuremasuka?

Let’s be together

いっしょにいよう

イッショニイヨウ

一緒にいよう

isho ni iyou

Love quotes in Japanese

Want to take your Japanese to the next level? Here are some phrases and sayings about love in Japanese that you can use to impress your crush or loved ones.

Romantic Japanese songs

Yuki no hana by Mika Nakashima

This famous song from 2003 has been translated and covered around the world. It’s a sentimental song about shared moments between lovers watching the first snowfall.

Ai-uta by GreeeeN

Here’s another classic, this time more upbeat, from boyband GreeeeN about someone that just can’t contain his love for his partner and needs to sing about it!

Kekkon Shiyouyo- Takuro Yoshida

And finally, a good vibe oldie from Takuro Yoshida called 結婚しようよ, or “Let’s get married”.

Ready to spread the love?

Now you should be feeling more confident about expressing love and romantic interest in Japanese, and understand some more about the nuances of Japanese culture. The general rule is: if in doubt, use 好き(suki) over 愛(ai), and make sure to back up your words with your actions!

If you’re still feeling shy about confessing your feelings, no fear- if you demonstrate your feelings through consistent kind actions, you’ll likely have just as much success as the characters on TV who seem to be constantly declaring their 愛(ai)!

And on the flipside, if your partner or the object of your affections doesn’t instantly return your declarations of love, remember that this is normal in Japanese culture and it doesn’t mean that they don’t love you! Just look out for other ways they are telling you – with little gifts, the way they look out for you and care about you.

How do you reply to aishiteru?

What are the 3 types of I Love You in Japanese?

What is daisuki desu?

What is the meaning of daisuki DA?