Updated on March 24, 2025
How to say ‘I love you’ in Italian
Got butterflies in your stomach? If you listen closely, you’ll probably hear them whispering “I love you” in Italian. Of course, that begs the question: What are they actually saying? Is it “ti amo” or “ti voglio bene”? Or is it something else entirely?
There are indeed many ways to express love in Italian, but understanding each phrase’s unique emotional depth is key. For example, romantic partners would typically use ti amo, but friends and family would find ti voglio bene more appropriate.
This article will explore these phrases, along with other expressions of love and care. Embrace them, and learn to declare your love — come un Italiano!
In Italian, both ti amo and ti voglio bene translate to “I love you” in English. But these phrases are used in different contexts and with different people.
Ti amo expresses deep, romantic love and is typically reserved for intimate relationships, such as those between partners or spouses. This phrase carries a strong emotional weight and is thus appropriate only when there’s a passionate connection.
Ti voglio bene, on the other hand, conveys the meaning of affectionate love without the romantic intensity. You’ll often hear it said between close friends, family members and loved ones.
These expressions are context-sensitive in Italian. Culturally, Italians are very aware of these distinctions.
Ti amo is most commonly heard in romantic, intimate settings between partners. With that in mind, you might use it:
Ti voglio bene is used more often and casually. It’s appropriate to use when:
Being able to use these terms appropriately is important. It shows respect for the emotional nuances of the Italian language, and it’s crucial for expressing the right kind of affection in different relationships.
There are, of course, other ways to express affection in Italian. Phrases like sei speciale (you are special) and mi piaci (I like you) can show appreciation and admiration in casual conversations, like so:
Compliments and terms of endearment are used in Italian culture to express affection or warmth. Words and phrases like amore (love), tesoro (darling) and cuore mio (my heart) are ones you’ll encounter often when speaking with Italians.
Amore is mostly used to address romantic partners or children:
Tesoro can be used for close friends, family or partners:
Cuore mio is deeply romantic and usually reserved for intimate relationships:
A variation on ti voglio bene is ti voglio un mondo di bene, which literally means “I wish you a world of good.” Although these expressions are usually translated as “I love you” or “I love you a lot,” they more typically mean “I care for you” or “I care for you a lot.”
These expressions show the people close to you that they have a special place in your heart, and that you genuinely care for their well-being.
| Italian phrase | Meaning | Typical Context |
| Sei la mia anima gemella. | You’re my soulmate. | Romantic partner |
| Vuoi uscire con me? | Would you like to go out with me? | Dating invitation |
| Sei speciale. | You’re special. | Romantic interest |
| Vorrei stare con te per sempre. | I want to be with you forever. | Romantic partner |
| Ti adoro. | I adore you. | Strong admiration |
| Sono pazzo di te. | I’m crazy about you. | Infatuation |
| Mi piaci. | I like you. | Romantic interest |
Ti amo is used for romantic love, whereas ti voglio bene expresses the warm, platonic caring love between friends and family members.
No. Mi piaci means “I like you” and is used to express attraction or interest in someone you’ve recently met, whereas ti amo implies a deep, intense and romantic love felt between partners.
Some of the ways you can call your loved one in Italian are: amore mio (my love), tesoro (darling), cuore mio (my heart), piccolo/a (little one; similar to “cutie”), stellina (little star), angelo (angel), caro/a (dear).
We’ve covered some of the most meaningful ways to say “I love you” in Italian, and we’ve learned about the importance of context when choosing which expression to use. We’ve also learned how to express attraction and how to show appreciation. We’ve seen some endearing phrases for close friends and family, and we’ve learned how they all capture the warmth and sincerity that Italians famously bring to relationships.If you want to become more fluent in the language of love as you learn Italian, try using these expressions in real-life conversations! We also invite you to enroll in Lingoda’s Italian lessons for more in-depth learning. We offer small group classes and flexible scheduling with native-level teachers.
It’s the best way to learn Italian and speak confidently from Day One!
