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Love · Japanese

How to say “i love you” in Japanese

Learn how to say "i love you" in Japanese: 愛してる (Aishiteru), with pronunciation, usage notes, examples, and related phrases.

Direct answer

日本語 · Japanese phrasing with romanization and natural tone notes.

casual

愛してる

Romanization

Aishiteru

Pronunciation

eye-shee-teh-roo

When to use it

Use it when the relationship is close enough for a direct emotional phrase. If the situation is new or uncertain, choose a softer expression first. In Japanese, 愛してる is very direct and serious. For lighter affection, 好きです can feel more natural in early dating.

Examples

愛してる。

I love you.

本当に愛してる。

I really love you.

Common mistakes

Do not translate "i love you" word by word; use the full Japanese phrase as a unit.

Use romanization as a pronunciation hint, not as the normal written form.

Check the tone before using it: this version is marked casual.

FAQ

How do you say "i love you" in Japanese?

Say 愛してる. The romanization is Aishiteru, and the pronunciation is eye-shee-teh-roo.

Is 愛してる formal or casual?

This version is marked casual. In Japanese, 愛してる is very direct and serious. For lighter affection, 好きです can feel more natural in early dating.

When should I use "i love you" in Japanese?

Use it when the relationship is close enough for a direct emotional phrase. If the situation is new or uncertain, choose a softer expression first. In Japanese, 愛してる is very direct and serious. For lighter affection, 好きです can feel more natural in early dating.

Same phrase in other languages

Related Japanese phrase guides