In English we use the word “love” for every type of love. I love my mom, my husband, my cats, and even my mashed potatoes. But in Italian, there are many different words to express the type of affection you are feeling.
There is a specific kind of “love” for every situation, so it is best to learn the difference before you accidentally profess to being romantically attracted to your friend’s jacket!
How to Say “I Love You” in Italian to Family and Friends
Even those who aren’t learning it know that “amore” means “love” in Italian. Based on what they have seen in Italian movies and TV shows, they think that “ti amo” is the way to say “I love you” in Italian, and it is… just not if you are talking to anyone aside from your current or potential romantic partner.
In Italian, the most common way to say “I love you” is actually “ti voglio bene.” Literally, this translates to “I want you well,” but figuratively it means something more along the lines of “I am very fond of you.” It is used to say “I love you” in the platonic sense, so for example, you would use it when speaking to:
- Your mom or dad
- Your children
- Your cousins
- Your sibling
- Your grandparents
- Your best friend
- Your other platonic friends
If you are speaking to more than one person, you would use the phrase “vi voglio bene,” because vi is the pronoun used for voi, or the plural “you” in Italian (as in, “you all” or, if you’re from Kentucky like me, “y’all.”)
Both the singular and plural versions can be used in casual, everyday situations as well as more serious ones to convey how much you care about someone.
How to Say “I Love You” in Italian to a Romantic Partner
If you feel a sweeping wave of romantic attraction for someone, you would say “ti amo” instead of “ti voglio bene.” “Ti amo” is used to express romantic love, like that for a spouse or lover, or someone you wish was your spouse or lover.
“Ti amo” can be used between partners on a daily basis, or it can be used to make a passionate confession like those you read about in Italian novels.
You can also say “Ti amo” through a song like the famous Italian hit “Sarà perchè ti amo“.
Romantic Italian Nicknames and Expressions
Italians love love, so it is no surprise that there are many different affectionate Italian nicknames and terms of endearment for loved ones. Here are a few of the most common:
| Italian Nickname | English Translation |
| Amore (mio) | (My) love |
| Tesoro (mio) | (My) treasure |
| Caro/a | Dear |
| Patatino/a | Little potato (Italian slang) |
| Bambola | Doll |
And here are a few Italian sweet phrases to use when speaking to those you love:
| Italian Phrase | English Translation |
| Ti adoro. | I adore you. |
| Sei importante per me. | You are important to me. |
| Ti voglio tanto bene. | I love you a lot (for friends/family). |
| Mi piaci molto. | I like you a lot. |
| Sei l’amore della mia vita. | You are the love of my life. |
| Sono innamorata di te. | I am in love with you. |
How to Say You Love an Object or Activity
This is where things get tricky. In English, we use the word “love” for many different situations, but in Italian, it would sound quite weird if you said “le voglio bene” when talking about una torta (cake). When expressing love for objects, foods, or activities, there are several different phrases you can use:
| Italian Phrase | English Translation | Examples |
| Mi piace… mi piacciono… | I like… | Mi piace la torta al cioccolato. – I like chocolate cake. Mi piace sciare. – I like to ski. Mi piacciono le tue scarpe. – I like your shoes. |
| Adoro… | (literally) I adore… | Adoro i tuoi capelli. – I love your hair. Adoro la pizza. – I love pizza. Adoro i cani. – I love dogs. |
| Amo… Un amore per… | I love… /a love for… | Amo il cibo – I love food. Un amore per il cibo – a love for food. |
Obviously, in the last case we are not talking about being smitten with food, but especially when it comes to things you eat, you can potentially use amare (to love) or amore (love) to express yourself in a more profound way.
FAQs
Can I say “ti amo” to a friend?
Only if you are in love with that friend and want to try to make your relationship romantic! In Italian, there are two different phrases for romantic love versus platonic love/affection. If you want to say “I love you” to a friend (that you’re not in love with), stick with “ti voglio bene.”
How can I say “I love you” to my pet in Italian?
Since we are pretty sure you love your pet but aren’t in love with them, “ti voglio bene” is the best choice, since “ti amo” is for romantic love.
How to say I love a type of food in Italian?
Since you don’t want to marry chocolate cake or even love it like a brother, the best, simplest way to say that you love a type of food is to say “adoro [insert food item here],” even if no one would misunderstand you if you said “Amo la torta al cioccolato.”
Final Takeaway
There are many ways to say “I love you” in Italian, so make sure you’re using the right one! To help you see the phrases in action, check out Jolii.ai’s library of entertaining content today.
