How to Say I Love You in French

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Saying "I love you" in French can be very straightforward or use grandiosity to evoke an eloquent vividness. Either way, you'll get your point across. Here is how.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

The Basics

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    You can use "aimer" (to love), "adorer" (to adore), or "désirer" (to desire). [1]
    • "Aimer" is the strongest in emotion of the three verbs. Don't use it lightly!
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    It's not likely you'd be telling someone formally or someone unknown that you love them! [2]
    • "Tu" and "vous" are the two forms used when addressing another person. "Tu" is used for people you know well or children.
    • In "je t'aime," "tu" is contracted to "t'" because of the succeeding vowel. Literally, it translates to "I you love."
    • If you are seeking to risk a restraining order, "je vous aime" ( zhuh voo zem ) is used formally.
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    [3]
    • Je t'aime -- I love you (zhuh tem)
    • Je t'adore -- I adore you (zhuh tah door)
    • Je te désire or j'ai envie de toi -- I want you (zhuh tuh duhzai-uh or zhay ohn-vee duh twah)
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    If you're nervous, practice will be invaluable. Telling someone that you love them can be exciting or terrifying and saying it in French makes it seem even more romantic. Bonne chance! (Good luck!)
    • Get the pronunciation down. [4] French is full of sounds that are represented a bit differently in English.
      • "j" in "je" is pronounced [zh] -- like the g in mirage

        "e" (in "je") is pronounced like the oo in good

        "t'aime" is pronounced [tem] to rhyme with them.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Making it Grander

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    Often "I love you" is accompanied by something else, something extra. Make it even more memorable by adding a special touch. [5]
    • "Je t'aime, toi" emphasizes that you love them and only them .
    • Follow with "my darling":
      • To a woman -- ma chérie (ma shay-ree)
      • To a man -- mon chéri (mo(n) shay-ree; the (n) is nasal)
    • "Mon amour" -- my love (moh(n) ah-mohr)
    • "Ma belle" -- my love (mah bell)
    • "Mon chou" -- my cabbage, my pastry (moh(n) shoo) (informal)
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    You do not have to stick to the literal "I love you." There are dozens of ways to express how you feel, though a bit more complicated. [6]
    • "Je t'aimerai pour toujours" -- I will love you forever (zhuh tem-air-ay poor too-zhoor)
    • "T'es l'amour de ma vie"" -- You're the love of my life (teh lah-moor duh ma vee)
    • "Je t'aime plus qu'hier et moins que demain" -- I love you more than I did yesterday and less than I will tomorrow (zhuh tem ploo kee-air ay mwahn kuh duh-mahn)
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    The conversation doesn't stop there! Get ready for a response or to inquire further.
    • "Est-ce que tu m'aimes?" -- Do you love me? (ess kuh too mem) [7]
    • "Moi aussi, je t'aime." -- I love you too. (mwah ah-see, zhuh tem)
    • "Veux-tu m'épouser?" -- Will you marry me? (voo too may poo say) [8]
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  • Question
    How do I say, "do you love her" in french?
    Dodo47
    Top Answerer
    Est-ce que tu l'aimes?
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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  • Question
    How do I say "I love you, Luke" in French?
    Community Answer
    "Je t'aime, Luke."
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    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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  • Question
    How do I say "I love you forever" in French
    Dodo47
    Top Answerer
    You can say "Je t'aimerai pour toujours" or "Je t'aime pour la vie" (I'll love you my whole life).
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 5
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      References

      1. ↑ https://forum.duolingo.com/comment/736970/aimer-bien-aimer-and-adorer
      2. ↑ http://www.french-linguistics.co.uk/grammar/tu_and_vous.shtml
      3. ↑ https://www.rocketlanguages.com/french/phrases/i-love-you-in-french
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DugmEai5ezk
      5. ↑ https://www.fluentu.com/blog/french/french-terms-of-endearment/
      6. ↑ https://www.talkinfrench.com/romantic-french-words-phrases/
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMBU76fQah4
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9s90iSQN0AU
      9. http://www.learnalanguage.com/learn-french/french-phrases/french-love-phrases.php
      1. http://french.lovetoknow.com/How_Do_You_Say_I_Love_You_in_French

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To say "I love you" in French, say "Je t'aime." Alternatively, you can say "Je t'adore," which means "I adore you." Or, you can say "Je te désire," which means "I want you." If you want to make a grander gesture, consider saying "Je t'aimerai pour toujours," which means "I will love you forever." To learn how to respond to "I love you" in French, scroll down!

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