How to Say “I Love You” in French

How do you say I love you in French? This will depend on what you actually want to say. French is romantic. Sharing your affection in that language with “Je t’aime” or “Tu es l’amour de ma vie” is one of the best ways to be romantic with your special someone.

In this article, we show you how to say I love you in French. We will also cover many other common phrases that are used when expressing love, affection or admiration. These phrases will be explained so that even beginners can use them with ease. We’ll also offer some tips for expressing your feelings of love appropriately for whatever situation you find yourself in.

So, let’s get started!

Saying “I love you” in French is a serious matter

The phrase in French captures all the emotion associated with romance. It’s “Je t’aime”. You have certainly heard it before. It translates directly into English as “I love you”.

If someone says, “I love you” in French and you want to reply, “I love you too”, you can simply say, “Je t’aime aussi”.

It’s probably the most widely known expression of affection among Francophones and is considered quite a serious declaration of love.

Its correct usage should be reserved for relationships such as boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife or any other close relationship where strong emotions are shared between two people.

If you’re looking for more ways to express your love in French, you’ve come to the right place.

Whether you’re a beginner or intermediate level, discover 7 tips on how to speak French fluently in our guide.

Here are 10 creative and romantic ways how to say “I love you” in French

How serious are you about showing your affection? Whether you’re speaking French or any other language, you want to be able to get the tone right. It’s also important that you get the correct pronunciation down during this crucial moment, so why not read our French pronunciation guide for more advice?

If you’ve just met, you probably don’t want to declare your undying love just yet! If you and the person you’ve been seeing are getting serious, perhaps it’s time to communicate how deep your feelings go…

For when your feelings are very deep

We present you with the best ways to show your partner just how strongly you feel. Reserved for special moments, perhaps when you’re both sharing some quality time together.

1. Je t’aime

Meaning: I love you

Pronunciation: Juh-tem

This is the most common way to express your love for someone in French. It’s also a simple way to show your affection.

2. Tu es l’amour de ma vie

Meaning: You are the love of my life

Pronunciation: Too-ey-lahmoor-duh-mah-vee

This phrase means “you are the love of my life”. It is a great way to express your undying devotion.

3. Tu es mon âme sœur

Meaning: You are my soulmate

Pronunciation: Too-ey-mon-ahm-suhr

This phrase is perfect for couples who are deeply in love.

4. Je t’aime de tout mon cœur

Meaning: I love you with all my heart

Pronunciation: Juh-tem-duh-too-moh-cuhr

The meaning of this sentence is “I love you with all my heart”. It conveys a deep and unconditional love.

5. Je suis fou / folle de toi

Meaning: I am crazy about you (masculine/feminine)

Pronunciation: Juh-sweeh-fooh / fohl-duh-twah

The translation of this phrase is “I am crazy about you”. It is used to express a deep sense of passion.

When you’re looking to make a commitment

You now know how to say “I love you”, but how do you show that you’re ready to commit to your partner? Follow some of the above phrases up with something that shows you want to stay together (perhaps forever)?

6. Je t’aimerai toujours

Meaning: I will always love you

Pronunciation: Juh-temray-toojoor

With these words that mean “I will always love you”, you will convey the idea of everlasting love.

7. Je veux passer ma vie avec toi

Meaning: I want to spend my life with you

Pronunciation: Juh-voo-pah-se-mah-vee-ahvec-tuah

Use this phrase that means “I want to spend my life with you” when you want to express commitment.

8. Tu es ma raison d’être

Meaning: You are my reason for being

Pronunciation: Too-eh-mah-raysoh-detruh

“You are my reason for being” is what it means. You should use it to communicate that the person is an integral part of your life.

Flirty ways to show your affection

If your feelings are not there yet, but you still want to show affection. To do so, you can use the following fun ways to express that you care without coming off too strong.

9. Je pense à toi

Meaning: I’m thinking of you

Pronunciation: Juh-puhns-ah-twah

This phrase translates to “I’m thinking of you”. It is a sweet way to remind your significant other that they are always on your mind.

10. Je t’apprécie beaucoup

Meaning: I really like you

Pronunciation: Juh-ta-pray-see-boo-coo

Not yet a declaration of love, but a nice way to take it slowly and see if the feelings are mutuals.

From Je t’aime to Tu es l’amour de ma vie, there’s no shortage of ways to express your love in French.

Pick one that resonates with you and have fun learning how to say “I love you” in French!

Now all that’s left to do is find the courage and vulnerability to share those three little words — “I love you!”

Whether you are looking for a romantic way to express your love, or simply want to impress someone with your French speaking skills, learning French with Busuu’s online course is the perfect way to do it.