- Japan Tips
21 Ways to Say ‘I Love You’ in Japanese (Formal & Casual)
It’s a big deal to say ‘I love you’ in Japanese. As an English speaker, you may be used to saying it at the end of every phone call! You may want to be a little sparing with the L-word in Japan.
‘Japanese communication is often indirect, and love is more commonly shown through actions rather than words. Saying ‘I love you’ – 愛しています (aishiteimasu) – can feel extremely serious, even life-changing. It’s typically something you would leave for a proposal or your wedding.’
– ALT in Kyoto
Because of this, you might want to start with a 好き (suki), which translates roughly to ‘I like you’. In this blog, we’ll cover the various ways of expressing affection in Japan, with vital context.
How do you say ‘I love you’ in Japanese?
Here are some of the most common ways to say ‘I love you’ in Japanese, from very serious expressions to softer romantic phrases, and the situations where you might use them.
Strong Ways to Say ‘I Love You’ in Japan
1. Aishiteru (愛してる) – ‘I love you’
One of the most famous ways to say ‘I love you’ in Japanese is by saying ‘ai shiteru’ (aye-shee-teh-ru). It uses the character 愛 (ai), which denotes a passionate form of love!
Roughly translating in English to ‘I love you so deeply’, this phrase is only used when the person is 100% sure of their feelings. It’s serious and rarely used casually, so save it for big moments.
2. Ai shiteimasu (あい しています) – ‘I love you (formal)’
Ai shiteimasu is an even more formal, serious way of saying aishiteru or ‘I love you’ in Japanese, which in itself is rare. It’s commonly used in wedding vows and other life-changing situations.
3. Sekai no Dare yori mo Aishite Iru (世界の誰よりも愛している) – ‘I love you more than anyone else in the world’
Saying Sekai no dare yori mo aishite iru, meaning “I love you more than anyone else in the world”, is something you would only say if you were deeply smitten. If you want to add a bit of drama to your expression of love in Japan, this is sure to grab your loved one’s attention.
4. Naniyorimo ai shiteru (なによりもあいしてる) – ‘I love you more than anything’
Another dramatic phrase. Use it wisely in romantic contexts, typically alone with your partner.
5. Kokoro no soko kara ai shiteru (こころのそこからあいしてる) – ‘I love you with all my heart’
This is a beautiful term of endearment and an ideal way to express your love for someone you have strong feelings towards. It can also be a great way to tell a family member how much you love them. However, it’s a powerful phrase, and best used in serious or emotional situations.
6. Sugoku ai shiteru (すごくあいしてる) – ‘I love you so much’
Sugoku ai shiteru is another term for expressing love; it translates to ‘I love you so much.’ This is very romantic and usually used between devoted partners in an established relationship.
7. Totemo ai shiteru (とてもあいしてる) – ‘I love you very much’
Usually only used romantically, between lovers, this is a passionate way to express your feelings.
Softer Romantic Phrases in Japan
Many real-life Japanese couples will use the softer romantic phrases below rather than say ‘I love you’. Again, it’s all about context, so you may want to check with a Japanese friend if you’re unsure whether a phrase is suitable for a situation – or you might risk some awkwardness!
‘As a foreigner open to dating in Japan, it can be tricky to know the best way to express your feelings for someone you like! But more playful or casual expressions seem to do the trick.’
– ALT in Osaka
How do you say ‘I like you’ in Japanese?
8. Suki Da (好きだ) – ‘I like you’
One of the widely known translations for saying ‘I like you’ or ‘I have romantic feelings for you’ in Japanese is Suki Da (愛してる). Although this does not necessarily mean that you are in love with a person, it does imply that you are interested in a romantic or date-type situation.
Try not to use this phrase too early on, or you may risk scaring the person you like off!
9. Suki Yo (好きよ ) – ‘I like you’
Suki Yo in Japanese is very similar to Suki Da, however, it is mainly used colloquially by girls.
10. Suki Dayo (好きだよ) – ‘I like you’
Likewise, Suki Dayo in Japanese also means ‘I like you’, but in this case it is masculine and as such is mainly used casually by boys. It’s a more confident and intense version of Suki Yo.
11. Daisuki (大好き) – ‘I really like you’
Daisuki includes the kanji, which means ‘large’. So, an English translation could be ‘big love’, or ‘lots of love’. Like most romantic phrases on this list, it is heavily based on context and not something you should throw around. It’s often reserved for partners or even close friends.
12. Sukidato Omou (すきだとおもう) – ‘I think I like you’
This is a great way to tell someone you have a crush on them when you’re ready to fully express how you feel towards them. It’s casual and won’t cause either of you too much pressure.
13. Tomodachi to shite suki desu (ともだちとして好きです) – ‘I love you as a friend’
The gentle friend-zone phrase! Use this if you want to express endearment towards your friends, or as a response to a confession of love from someone you would rather remain friends with.
It is polite and lets the person know that you care for them, while letting them down gently.
A: その…最近ずっと考えてたんだけど、
えっと…君のこと、すきだとおもう。
(Sono… saikin zutto kangaeteta n da kedo,
etto… kimi no koto, suki da to omou.)
Um… I’ve been thinking about this for a while…
I think I like you.
B: あなたのことはともだちとして好きです。
これからも仲良くしてほしい。
(Anata no koto wa tomodachi to shite suki desu.
Kore kara mo nakayoku shite hoshii.)
I do like you as a friend.
I hope we can still stay close.
Indirect Ways to Say ‘I Love You’
14. Suki yanen (好きやねん) – ‘I love ya’
A more informal and slangy way of saying I love you in Japan. In English, a good translation may be ‘I love ya’ or similar. You may use it to test the waters on a potential romantic interest.
Keep in mind, though, that Suki Yanen is the name of a popular noodle brand in Japan, so if it comes up in conversation at the dinner table or when you’re shopping, don’t be too shocked!
15. Koishii desu (恋しいです) – ‘I yearn for you’
Another great way of saying ‘I love you’ in Japanese is Koishii desu, which roughly translates to ‘I yearn for you’. This is very romantic and would typically be used in a serious relationship.
16. Aitai (会いたい) – ‘I want to see you/I miss you’
Using Aitai (会いたい) when you are missing someone is one way to show you are sincere about how much you want to see them. Although it’s not the most direct way of telling someone you love them, it’s a great, natural-sounding way to express that you are missing their presence.
17. Doki Doki (ドキドキ) – The sound of a beating heart
Doki Doki is used colloquially in internet-based conversations, and it is representative of the sound of a fast-beating heart in Japanese sound symbolism. It can be a great reference to use if you find yourself wishing to express your love casually when in a text-based conversation.
18. Minna daisuki dayo (みんなだいすきだよ) – ‘I love you all’
Minna daisuki dayo can help you to express your love and appreciation towards a group of people. It can be used as a thank you if you are really close to the people you are thanking.
19. Anatatachi daisuki dayo (あなたたちだいすきだよ) – ‘I love you guys’
Another phrase to use when expressing love and appreciation towards a group of friends. This phrase is much more casual than the one above, so it can be used in more colloquial settings.
20. Mada ai shiteru (まだあいしてる) – ‘I still love you’
This phrase could be used to express regrets as well as love. Mada ai shiteru translates to I still love you, and this can be used to let someone know that you still care about them very much.
21. Motto ai shiteru (もっとあいしてる) – ‘I love you more’
A teasing and humorous response to ‘I love you’ when talking to a romantic partner.
Lastly, if you’re struggling to pronounce ‘I love you’ in Japanese, take a look at this helpful video for how to say some of the most common phrases, along with more context about their usage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQ2lXClcr60
The Last Word on Saying ‘I Love You’ in Japanese
We hope you feel more confident when talking about your feelings or expressing love and romantic interests in Japanese! If in doubt, it is always good to keep in mind that you should often use Suki (好き) over Ai (愛) and make sure you’re using the right phrase for the moment.
Japan is often described as a high-context culture, and ‘reading between the lines’ can be hard.
You might want to read our guide on dating in Japan! Remember, demonstrating your feelings through consistent actions and kind favours can also have just as much success as phrases.
Get in touch with us today for more help on Japanese social customs, careers, and more.
About the Author
Brian McDonough is a consultant at Interac, Japan’s largest provider of ALTs (Assistant Language Teachers). Originally from the US, Brian has lived in Japan for over 25 years, giving him a unique perspective on the cultural differences and challenges people face when moving to Japan. He has first-hand experience of working in Japan as an American.