There are many ways to tell someone you love them in every language. For the Japanese language, this is no exception. However, with Japanese there is not just one direct way to say I love you, but about 3 to 4 or more other ways.
1. Suki desu = This is the most common and preferred way to say 'I love you' in Japan. It literally means to like.
2. Daisuki desu = It is slightly informal and used to mean that the person is very likable.
3. Aishite Imasu = This is a literal translation of 'I love you'.
4. Suki dayo = This is most often used by males saying that the person is essentially likable.
5. Ai shite iru wa = This term for 'I love you' is used by females
6. Suki da = This is used by males meaning likeable
7. Suki yo = This is the feminine phrase meaning likeable.
8. Suki yanen = This is a Kansai dialect version of 'I love you' literally meaning 'I love it'.
Along with the above phrases, there are also words to describe "love" as depicted in the kanji or Chinese characters written: Ai and koi. They have slightly different nuances and meanings.
Koi is generally used in words and phrases as love for the opposite sex or a longing for a specific person. Ai has the same meaning, but is usually used to describe real general love.
The Japanese also use the English loanword equivalent to love by pronouncing it as rabu. Here are a few examples:
1. Rabu retaa = Love letter
2. Rabu shiin = Love scene
3. Rabu Rabu = Used by young people when they are very much in love.
The Japanese do not like to say directly how they feel towards another person unless they feel extremely close with them. This is hard for many Western non-Japanese to deal with because they are so used to expressing feelings and opinions directly. Yet, some Japanese hardly even say 'I love you' to each other as a couple or while married because it is inherently known and showing one's love instead of saying it is what is more important than anything else.
And how do Japanese how this love? Usually by simple favors or gifts. There doesn't need to be anything elaborate, but something simple such as cooking dinner, cleaning the house, or buying a simple gift. - 30216
1. Suki desu = This is the most common and preferred way to say 'I love you' in Japan. It literally means to like.
2. Daisuki desu = It is slightly informal and used to mean that the person is very likable.
3. Aishite Imasu = This is a literal translation of 'I love you'.
4. Suki dayo = This is most often used by males saying that the person is essentially likable.
5. Ai shite iru wa = This term for 'I love you' is used by females
6. Suki da = This is used by males meaning likeable
7. Suki yo = This is the feminine phrase meaning likeable.
8. Suki yanen = This is a Kansai dialect version of 'I love you' literally meaning 'I love it'.
Along with the above phrases, there are also words to describe "love" as depicted in the kanji or Chinese characters written: Ai and koi. They have slightly different nuances and meanings.
Koi is generally used in words and phrases as love for the opposite sex or a longing for a specific person. Ai has the same meaning, but is usually used to describe real general love.
The Japanese also use the English loanword equivalent to love by pronouncing it as rabu. Here are a few examples:
1. Rabu retaa = Love letter
2. Rabu shiin = Love scene
3. Rabu Rabu = Used by young people when they are very much in love.
The Japanese do not like to say directly how they feel towards another person unless they feel extremely close with them. This is hard for many Western non-Japanese to deal with because they are so used to expressing feelings and opinions directly. Yet, some Japanese hardly even say 'I love you' to each other as a couple or while married because it is inherently known and showing one's love instead of saying it is what is more important than anything else.
And how do Japanese how this love? Usually by simple favors or gifts. There doesn't need to be anything elaborate, but something simple such as cooking dinner, cleaning the house, or buying a simple gift. - 30216
About the Author:
Of course you have to actually learn the pronunciation to be able to use these phrases. To learn more Japanese phrases and the correct pronunciation, visit http://www.learn-hiragana-katakana.com
