How to Say I Love You in Japanese

The closest Japanese phrase to “I love you” is あいしてる (aishiteru). It sounds strong and serious, so it is not used as often as “I love you” is in English. In many situations, だいすき (daisuki) or すき (suki) may feel more natural.

The short answer:

You usually do not need to say “I” or “you.” When both people know who they are talking about, あいしてる (aishiteru) is enough.

あいしてる (aishiteru): a very serious “I love you”

あいしてる (aishiteru) is a shorter, everyday form of あいしている (aishite iru). It expresses deep love and can sound very serious. People usually save it for a close relationship or an important moment.

だいすき (daisuki): “I really like you” or “I love you”

だいすき (daisuki) means that you really like someone or something. You can say it about a person, a favourite food, a hobby or almost anything you love. With someone close to you, it can also mean “I love you.”

In the sentence にほんごがだいすきです (nihongo ga daisuki desu), が (ga) comes after にほんご (nihongo, “Japanese”). It shows what you love. If you are wondering why が (ga) is used here, read the beginner-friendly は (wa)-vs-が (ga) lesson.

すき (suki): “I like you”

すき (suki) means that you like someone or something. Said to a person, it can be a simple way to tell them you have feelings for them. The situation and your relationship make the meaning clear.

Which phrase should a beginner use?

• Use あいしてる (aishiteru) for deep love in a close relationship or an important moment.
• Use だいすき (daisuki) when you really like or love a person, food, hobby or other favourite thing.
• Use すき (suki) for a simple “I like you.” In the right moment, it can also show romantic interest.

Common beginner mistakes

• Using あいしてる (aishiteru) every time you would say “I love you” in English. It can sound much more serious in Japanese.
• Adding わたしは (watashi wa, “I”) and あなた (anata, “you”) when everyone already knows who is speaking and who they mean.
• Thinking だいすき (daisuki) is only romantic. You can also use it for friends, family, food, hobbies and other things you love.

Reading only the romaji. Use the romaji for help, but keep it beside the hiragana. The hiragana charts can help you recognise the hiragana little by little.

Questions about saying I love you in Japanese

Does aishiteru mean “I love you”? Yes. あいしてる (aishiteru) expresses deep love and often sounds serious. Whether it feels natural depends on the person and the moment.

Can daisuki mean “I love you”? Yes. だいすき (daisuki) literally shows that you really like someone or something. When said to someone close to you, it can carry the feeling of “I love you.”

Why are “I” and “you” missing? Japanese often leaves out words that are already clear. If both people know who they are talking about, there is no need to repeat them.

Continue learning

Review these expressions in the vocabulary reference, practise reading them with the hiragana charts, or learn why が (ga) appears with すき (suki) and だいすき (daisuki).