“I love you” in Chinese is 我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ). A softer, more everyday version is 我喜欢你 (wǒ xǐhuan nǐ, “I like you”). Chinese also expresses love in number codes: 520 (wǔ èr líng) sounds like “I love you,” and 1314 means “forever” — combined as 5201314, “I love you forever.”
Here’s a beautiful cultural detail: in Chinese, 我爱你 is a strong statement, said less casually than the English “love you.” Many couples lean on softer phrases, sweet nicknames and playful number codes instead. So whether you’re confessing feelings, texting a partner or just curious about the culture, here’s the full toolkit — with pinyin so you say it right.
The big three
Note: 喜欢 (xǐhuan, “like”) covers a wide range — from “I’m into you” to genuine affection — and is often the natural first step before 爱 (ài, the strong “love”).
Sweeter & stronger expressions
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 我很喜欢你 | wǒ hěn xǐhuan nǐ | I really like you |
| 我爱上你了 | wǒ ài shàng nǐ le | I’ve fallen in love with you |
| 你是我的唯一 | nǐ shì wǒ de wéiyī | You’re my only one |
| 我离不开你 | wǒ líbukāi nǐ | I can’t live without you |
| 我会永远爱你 | wǒ huì yǒngyuǎn ài nǐ | I’ll love you forever |
Terms of endearment
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 亲爱的 | qīn'ài de | Darling / dear |
| 宝贝 | bǎobèi | Baby / treasure |
| 老公 | lǎogōng | Husband / hubby |
| 老婆 | lǎopó | Wife |
| 男朋友 / 女朋友 | nánpéngyou / nǚpéngyou | Boyfriend / girlfriend |
The number codes: 520 & 1314
Chinese internet culture turns numbers into love messages through homophones:
Romance in digits
- 520 (wǔ èr líng) ≈ 我爱你 (wǒ ài nǐ) → “I love you.” May 20 (5/20) is a popular romantic day in China.
- 1314 (yī sān yī sì) ≈ 一生一世 (yìshēng yíshì) → “for a whole lifetime / forever.”
- 5201314 → “I love you forever” — a classic sweet text.
- 521 is sometimes used as “I’m willing” / a reply to 520.
How to ask someone out
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 你愿意做我女朋友吗？ | nǐ yuànyì zuò wǒ nǚpéngyou ma? | Will you be my girlfriend? |
| 我们在一起吧 | wǒmen zài yìqǐ ba | Let’s be together |
| 我能请你吃饭吗？ | wǒ néng qǐng nǐ chīfàn ma? | Can I take you to dinner? |
Say it with the right tones
A wrong tone can turn romance into confusion. Hanzijo gives every phrase native audio and color-coded tones, so 我爱你 lands the way you mean it. Exclusive mnemonics make the characters stick, SRS keeps them in memory, and the full HSK 1–9 path takes you from love notes to fluent conversations.
Learn Chinese with Hanzijo — FreeFrequently asked questions
Is 我爱你 used as casually as “I love you” in English?
No. 我爱你 is more weighty in Chinese; couples often prefer softer phrases like 我喜欢你 or sweet nicknames in daily life, saving 我爱你 for meaningful moments.
How do you say “I miss you” in Chinese?
我想你 (wǒ xiǎng nǐ). The verb 想 means both “to think” and “to miss.”
What is China’s Valentine’s Day?
There are several: 520 (May 20, from the love code), the traditional Qixi Festival (七夕), and Western Valentine’s Day (Feb 14) is also widely celebrated.
How do you say “darling” in Chinese?
亲爱的 (qīn'ài de) for “darling/dear,” or 宝贝 (bǎobèi) for “baby.”