How to say ‘I love you’ in Italian

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!

• The basics: How to say ‘I love you’ in Italian
• Romantic expressions beyond ‘I love you’
• More romantic phrases to deepen your Italian vocabulary 
• FAQs

The basics: How to say ‘I love you’ in Italian

The difference between ‘Ti amo’ and ‘Ti voglio bene’

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.

When and how to use each phrase

Ti amo is most commonly heard in romantic, intimate settings between partners. With that in mind, you might use it:

• The first time you confess your love for a romantic partner
• In particularly heartfelt moments 
• As closure after an important event or discussion
• On celebratory occasions such as anniversaries, engagements and weddings

Ti voglio bene is used more often and casually. It’s appropriate to use when:

• You’re saying hello or goodbye to a family member
• You’re a parent putting your child to sleep
• You’re meeting with a friend or reuniting with an old connection

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.

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Romantic expressions beyond ‘I love you’

Expressing affection in everyday conversations

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:

• Sai, sei davvero speciale per me. (You know, you’re really special to me.)
• Mi piace passare il tempo con te. (I like spending time with you.)

Compliments and endearments

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:

• Ciao amore, come stai? (Hello love, how are you?)

Tesoro can be used for close friends, family or partners:

• Tesoro, posso fare qualcosa per aiutarti? (Darling, can I do something to help you?)

Cuore mio is deeply romantic and usually reserved for intimate relationships:

• Buonanotte, cuore mio. Dormi bene. (Goodnight, my heart. Sleep well.)

How to say ‘I care about you’ in Italian

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.

More romantic phrases to deepen your Italian vocabulary 

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

What is the difference between ti amo and ti voglio bene?

Ti amo is used for romantic love, whereas ti voglio bene expresses the warm, platonic caring love between friends and family members.

Is Mi piaci the same as “I love you” in Italian?

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.

What are some cute Italian nicknames to call your loved one?

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).

Speak from your heart

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!