You might have heard of how to say "I love you" in Japanese, but Japanese is a very subtle and nuanced culture. The simple 愛してる(あいしてる) might not just do. Let's learn how Japanese people actually express their love.
50 Phrases For A Japanese Couple (or a soon-to-be)
Expressing love can happen in different situations. Maybe you are interested in a girl, but are too shy to confront, or you are finally ready to confess your feelings to him/her. I collected 50 situational phrases that are used among Japanese couples.
The Subtle ‘I LOVE YOUs’
Japanese people like subtleness and they appreciate it very much when it comes to expressing their feelings to others. Sometimes, 愛してる(あいしてる) or (aishiteru) sounds way too formal and official, so it is useful to know more casual ways of expressing love.
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今なにしてる？ (Ima nani shiteru?) – What are you doing right now?
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今日なにしてたの？ (Kyou nani shiteta no?) – What were you doing today?
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会いたいなあ (Aitai naa) – I wanna see you.
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久しぶりに会いたいです (Hisashiburi ni aitai desu) – I wanna see you. it's been a long time.
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連絡くれて嬉しい (Renraku kurete ureshii) – I’m happy you messaged me.
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可愛い (Kawaii) – You are cute.
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かっこいい (Kakkoii) – You are cool.
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その服似合ってるね (Sono fuku niatteru ne) – That outfit looks good on you.
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寂しくなっちゃった (Sabishiku nacchatta) – I'm feeling lonely.
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起きてる？ (Okiteru?) – Are you awake?
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電話してもいい？ (Denwa shitemo ii?) – Can I call you?
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今ちょっとだけ話せる？ (Ima chotto dake hanaseru?) – Can you talk for a bit right now?
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今度の週末空いてる？( Kondo no shuumatsu aiteru?) – Are you free next weekend?
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そばにいてほしいな (Soba ni ite hoshii na) – I want you to be by my side.
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それ一緒にやりたい！ (Sore issho ni yaritai!) – I wanna do that together!
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今日はありがとう (Kyou wa arigatou) – Thanks for today.
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もうちょっと一緒にいたい (Mou chotto issho ni itai) – I wanna stay together a bit longer.
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次いつ会えるかな (Tsugi itsu aeru kana) – When can we meet next?
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今日は楽しかった (Kyou wa tanoshikatta) – It was fun today.
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今度映画見に行こうね (Kondo eiga mini ikou ne) – Let's go see a movie next time.
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声聞いたら元気出た (Koe kiitara genki deta) – Hearing your voice cheered me up.
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またすぐ話そうね (Mata sugu hanasou ne) – Let’s talk again soon.
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一緒にいると落ち着く (Issho ni iru to ochitsuku) – I feel at ease when I’m with you.
今なにしてる？ (Ima nani shiteru?) – What are you doing right now?
When you are interested in someone, you can’t help thinking about them. It’s natural to want to ask what they are thinking and doing right now. It’s a good excuse to ask them to hang out if they happen to be free at the moment!
今日なにしてたの？ (Kyou nani shiteta no?) – What were you doing today?
Look forward to texting your crush at the end of a day? This phrase is a perfect conversation starter!
会いたいなあ (Aitai naa) – I wanna see you.
This Japanese expression feels more mild than the English translation. なあ at the end expresses wishes and internal thought, making this phrase sound more like “I wish I can see you”. You can text, or tell your crush in person. It will sound cute!
久しぶりに会いたいです (Hisashiburi ni aitai desu) – I wanna see you. it's been a long time.
Use this phrase when you haven’t seen your loved one for a long time.
連絡くれて嬉しい (Renraku kurete ureshii) – I’m happy you messaged me.
連絡(れんらく) means “message” which includes calling, texting and any other form of communication. The literal meaning of this phrase is “I am happy that you gave me a message.
可愛い (Kawaii) – You are cute.
This phrase has become very famous among foreigners as people start to discover “cute” anime contents and “cute” Japanese characters. Make sure you pronounce it carefully as often people mix up this phrase with 怖い(こわい) which means “scary”. 可愛い(かわいい) is pronounced as “KA-WA-ee”. 怖い(こわい) is pronounced as “ko-WA-i”.
かっこいい (Kakkoii) – You are cool.
This phrase is most used by girls to compliment their guys. It could also mean “handsome” and “good looking”
その服似合ってるね (Sono fuku niatteru ne) – That outfit looks good on you.
When a date shows up dressed up, be sure to impress them with this phrase. Other variations include その服似合ってて可愛い(そのふくにあっててかわいい) or (sono fuku niattete kawaii) which means “that outfit looks good on you and you look cute” or changing the ending like this could sound a bit more manly その服似合ってるよ(そのふくにあってるよ) or (sono fuku niatteru yo).
寂しくなっちゃった (Sabishiku nacchatta) – I'm feeling lonely.
This phrase could also mean “I miss you”. Follow up by adding 今度いつ会えるかな(こんどいつあえるかな) or (kondo itsu aeru kana) “when could we meet next?”
起きてる？ (Okiteru?) – Are you awake?
When you feel lonely or miss your partner at night and you two live far from each other, this phrase comes in handy. A short text might turn into a couple of hours of video calling in the middle of night.
電話してもいい？ (Denwa shitemo ii?) – Can I call you?
This phrase is used to ask if someone is free to talk at the moment. It is a useful phrase to memorize as it can be used in countless situations not limited to romance, but with friends and family members as well.
今ちょっとだけ話せる？ (Ima chotto dake hanaseru?) – Can you talk for a bit right now?
Asking for ちょっとだけ “a little bit” of talking makes this phrase polite and cute.
今度の週末空いてる？( Kondo no shuumatsu aiteru?) – Are you free next weekend?
This is not the coolest pick-up line out there, but it gets to the point. It is a commonly used phrase outside of romantic context as well, such as asking friends to go out or even at a part-time job when your manager wonders if you can take a weekend shift this week.
そばにいてほしいな (Soba ni ite hoshii na) – I want you to be by my side.
You could also say そばにいて to mean the same. The shorter form sounds a tiny bit more demanding (and maybe it’s a good thing among boyfriend&girlfriend)
それ一緒にやりたい！ (Sore issho ni yaritai!) – I wanna do that together!
Use this phrase when you find some activities that look fun to do together!
今日はありがとう (Kyou wa arigatou) – Thanks for today.
It is very important to show gratitude after a date and this simple phrase can achieve that. Say 今日はありがとう、とても楽しかった(きょうはありがとう、とてもたのしかった) or (kyou wa arigatou, totemo tanoshikatta) “Thanks for today, it was very fun.” at the end of the date.
もうちょっと一緒にいたい (Mou chotto issho ni itai) – I wanna stay together a bit longer.
Another ちょっと phrase here. もうちょっと (mou chotto) means “a bit more”
次いつ会えるかな (Tsugi itsu aeru kana) – When can we meet next?
PlusOne Phrase: 次いつ会えるかな、楽しみにしているね(つぎいつあえるかな、たのしみにしているね) (tsugi itsu aeru kana, tanoshimi ni shiteiru ne) “When can we meet next? I’m looking forward to it.”
今日は楽しかった (Kyou wa tanoshikatta) – It was fun today.
PlusOne Phrase: 今日は楽しかった、ありがとう(きょうはたのしかった、ありがとう) (kyou wa tanoshikatta, arigatou) “It was fun today, thank you.”
今度映画見に行こうね (Kondo eiga mini ikou ne) – Let's go see a movie next time.
今度〜〜行こうね means “let’s go ~~ next time.” You can put activity in or a location in the ~~.
ex) 今度水族館行こうね(こんどすいぞくかんいこうね) (kondo suizokukan ikou ne) – Let’s go to an aquarium next time.
ex) 今度お寿司食べに行こうね(こんどおすしたべにいこうね) (kondo osushi tabeni ikou ne) – Let’s go eat sushi next time.
声聞いたら元気出た (Koe kiitara genki deta) – Hearing your voice cheered me up.
元気が出る(げんきがでる) (genki ga deru) means “cheers me up.” The literal meaning of this phrase is “energy emerges”
またすぐ話そうね (Mata sugu hanasou ne) – Let’s talk again soon.
また means “again” and すぐ means “just soon”.
一緒にいると落ち着く (Issho ni iru to ochitsuku) – I feel at ease when I’m with you.
落ち着く means “feeling calm”
The More Direct ‘I LOVE YOUs’
Japanese people like subtleness doesn’t mean they don’t express their love directly at all. Here are some phrases you can use if you are feeling bold or when your relationship is more solid and is ready for more direct expressions.
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好きです (Suki desu) – I like you.
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大好き (Daisuki) – I really like you.
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ずっと好きでした (Zutto suki deshita) – I’ve liked you for a long time.
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あなたのことが好きです (Anata no koto ga suki desu) – I like you (as a romantic interest).
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前から好きでした (Mae kara suki deshita) – I’ve liked you for a long time.
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めっちゃ好き (Meccha suki) – I really like you (casual).
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一目惚れしました (Hitomebore shimashita) – It was a love at first sight.
好きです (Suki desu) – I like you.
It could be an equivalent of the English “I love you.”
大好き (Daisuki) – I really like you.
This is a common phrase couples say to each other all the time.
ずっと好きでした (Zutto suki deshita) – I’ve liked you for a long time.
This one sounds almost like a confession!
あなたのことが好きです (Anata no koto ga suki desu) – I like you (as a romantic interest).
前から好きでした (Mae kara suki deshita) – I’ve liked you for a long time.
めっちゃ好き (Meccha suki) – I really like you (casual).
めっちゃ is a very casual expression that means “really” or “very”.
一目惚れしました (Hitomebore shimashita) – It was a love at first sight.
一目惚れ (hitomebore) is a set phrase that means “love at first sight”. The literal meaning of this phrase is “fallen at one sight”
The CONFESSION!
Here are some phrases you can use to confess to your crush!
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好きです。付き合ってください (Suki desu. Tsukiatte kudasai) – I like you. Please go out with me.
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ずっと気になってました (Zutto ki ni natte mashita) – I’ve had feelings for you for a while.
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良かったら付き合ってほしいです (Yokattara tsukiatte hoshii desu) – If you’re okay with it, I’d like to date you.
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僕（私）と付き合ってください (Boku (Watashi) to tsukiatte kudasai) – Would you go out with me?
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彼女（彼氏）になってください (Kanojo (Kareshi) ni natte kudasai) – Would you be my girlfriend (boyfriend)?
好きです。付き合ってください (Suki desu. Tsukiatte kudasai) – I like you. Please go out with me.
This is one of the most common phrases people use (especially elementary to high school students) when they confess their love to someone. You might have heard of this in a high school anime or manga.
付き合う means “to be in a relationship”
ずっと気になってました (Zutto ki ni natte mashita) – I’ve had feelings for you for a while.
気になる means “be interested”
良かったら付き合ってほしいです (Yokattara tsukiatte hoshii desu) – If you’re okay with it, I’d like to date you.
良かったら means “if it is good with you” or “if it is ok with you”. Adding this phrase makes the whole sentence more humble and less pushy.
僕（私）と付き合ってください (Boku (Watashi) to tsukiatte kudasai) – Would you go out with me?
彼女（彼氏）になってください (Kanojo (Kareshi) ni natte kudasai) – Would you be my girlfriend (boyfriend)?
彼女 means “girlfriend” and 彼氏 means “boyfriend”
The Love Is In The Air
If you hear one of these phrases below after your confession, congratulations! You are officially in a relationship.
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はい！ (Hai!) – Yes!
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お願いします (Onegaishimasu) – I’d love to.
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私も好きです。 (Watashi mo suki desu) – I like you too.
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こちらこそよろしくお願いします (Kochira koso yoroshiku onegaishimasu) – I’d be happy to, please treat me well.
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私でよければお願いします (Watashi de yokereba onegaishimasu) – If you’re okay with me, yes.
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実は私も好きでした (Jitsu wa watashi mo suki deshita) – Actually, I liked you too.
はい！ (Hai!) – Yes!
With the enthusiasm, please!
お願いします (Onegaishimasu) – I’d love to.
Onegaishimasu is such a versatile word that you can even say yes to a confession.
私も好きです。 (Watashi mo suki desu) – I like you too.
も is a particle that indicate “also” or “too”
こちらこそよろしくお願いします (Kochira koso yoroshiku onegaishimasu) – I’d be happy to, please treat me well.
こちらこそ means “it’s my words too”
私でよければお願いします (Watashi de yokereba onegaishimasu) – If you’re okay with me, yes.
実は私も好きでした (Jitsu wa watashi mo suki deshita) – Actually, I liked you too.
実は means “actually” or “in fact”
Life Is Not Always Pink…
Sometimes… it is just the wrong timing, nothing bad on you.
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ごめんなさい (Gomennasai) – I’m sorry.
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気持ちは嬉しいけど… (Kimochi wa ureshii kedo…) – I’m happy you told me, but…
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今は誰とも付き合う気がなくて (Ima wa dare to mo tsukiau ki ga nakute) – I’m not looking to date anyone right now.
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友達のままでいたい (Tomodachi no mama de itai) – I want to stay friends.
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恋愛感情はないんだ (Renai kanjou wa nain da) – I don’t have romantic feelings.
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今は恋愛より大事なことがあって (Ima wa renai yori daiji na koto ga atte) – I have more important things than dating right now.
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気持ちに応えられなくてごめん (Kimochi ni kotaerarenakute gomen) – Sorry I can’t return your feelings.
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そういうつもりじゃなかった (Sou iu tsumori ja nakatta) – I didn’t mean it that way.
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ごめん、付き合えない (Gomen, tsukiaenai) – Sorry, I can’t date you.
ごめんなさい (Gomennasai) – I’m sorry.
本当にごめんなさい(ほんとうにごめんなさい) (hontou ni gomen nasai) – I’m really sorry…
気持ちは嬉しいけど… (Kimochi wa ureshii kedo…) – I’m happy you told me, but…
You know what comes after this phrase and you don’t need to make her/him say that.
今は誰とも付き合う気がなくて (Ima wa dare to mo tsukiau ki ga nakute) – I’m not looking to date anyone right now.
Maybe it’s just a matter of timing. Maybe stay in touch and try again when the next opportunity comes!
友達のままでいたい (Tomodachi no mama de itai) – I want to stay friends.
Ouch! At least you got to stay friends with them!
恋愛感情はないんだ (Renai kanjou wa nain da) – I don’t have romantic feelings.
Oh, when did it go wrong?
今は恋愛より大事なことがあって (Ima wa renai yori daiji na koto ga atte) – I have more important things than dating right now.
You will be ok! Hold yourself together! Respond if you can with a calm tone.
Respond: そっか、なら仕方ないね(そっか、ならしかたないね) (sokka, nara shikata nai ne) – Alright, it can’t be helped then.
気持ちに応えられなくてごめん (Kimochi ni kotaerarenakute gomen) – Sorry I can’t return your feelings.
Respond: 大丈夫だよ(だいじょうぶだよ) (daijoubu da yo) – That’s ok.
そういうつもりじゃなかった (Sou iu tsumori ja nakatta) – I didn’t mean it that way.
Then what did you meaaaaaaan?!
ごめん、付き合えない (Gomen, tsukiaenai) – Sorry, I can’t date you.
Thank you for telling me straight… It still hurts though.
Final Thoughts
We have looked at 50 phrases that are used among couples and lovers. A lot of these phrases can be combined to express depth to the statement. Some of these phrases are used more commonly outside of the context of romance as well. Hope you enjoy today's learning and hope these phrases will come in handy for you someday!
