If you want to romance your way to the Philippines, then learning how to say I love you in Tagalog is a must!
Whether you are a language enthusiast or just plainly in love, you can impress someone by saying I love you in a language they have never heard before.
In this blog post, we will guide you on the basic ways to express affection using the Filipino language.
Make your partner swoon over ways you can say I love you in Tagalog.
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Ways To Say I Love You In Tagalog
Love is an emotion that grips us in surprising ways. Falling in love is easy, but saying those three little words proves to be harder than we thought.
In fact, it is even more challenging to say if you are just learning a new language.
A lot of Filipinos even compare saying I love you to one of the most climactic Filipino relationship milestones.
Similar to English, there are a lot of ways to express love in Tagalog with simple Tagalog phrases.
The most common way of saying I love you is through the following:
| English | Tagalog Traditional way | English Example | Tagalog Example | Sound |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I love you | iniibig kita / iniirog kita | I love you, David! | Iniibig kita, David! |
* A quick tip: Filipinos deem the traditional way as poetic, which is why it is not usually used in conversations.
You may encounter this word in dramatic movies, TV series, and original Pinoy music (OPM) as this variation is used to express intense yet old-fashioned love.
How Do You Say I Love You In Tagalog?
The best way to say I love you in Tagalog is mahal kita .
You can use this word in both formal and informal contexts.
But, if you want to emphasize your love for your Filipino significant other, then you would say, mahal na mahal kita .
To love in Tagalog: Use of “mahal”
Unlike the way we greet the good morning in Tagalog, adding “po” to sound formal is not necessary for this instance.
The word that you need to remember is the Tagalog term “mahal” which directly translates to “love”. In the Philippine setting, “mahal” is used sparingly in intimate conversations.
It is also considered by some as a term of endearment.
Do note though, that the word “mahal” can also be used as an adjective that means “expensive.” Take note of the example below:
Use of “kita” in Tagalog
As you were reading the examples, I bet you are wondering what the word “kita” means in “mahal kita”.
This Tagalog term stands as the combination of “I” and “you” which means that from a grammatical point of view, “kita” is considered both the subject and the object.
In simple words, the speaker is the one doing the action, and the person being spoken to is the receiver of the action. To be fully enlightened on the Tagalog sentence structure, see the examples below:
| English | Tagalog | Sound |
|---|---|---|
| “I will help you!” | Tulungan kita! | |
| “I can hear you!” | Naririnig kita! | |
| “I can see you!” | Nakikita kita! | |
| “I will accompany you!” | Sasamahan kita! | |
| “I will teach you!” | Tuturan kita! |
Terms Of Endearment In The Tagalog Language
At this point, not only did you learn how to say I love you in the Tagalog language, but you also learned a thing or two about grammar.
Isn’t that great? Well, if things are getting serious between you and your Filipino loved one, we also prepared a few terms of endearment commonly used by couples.
Judging from the table below, Filipinos are extremely creative when it comes to giving pet names.
The traditional syrupy terms on the right are commonly used to grab attention when writing poems, songs, and even letters.
The variation on the left is more commonly used and is adapted from English.
| Colloquial/ Modern | Traditional | Sound |
|---|---|---|
| Mahal | Irog | |
| Love or labs | Sinta | |
| Honey or hon | Giliw | |
| Baby or bebe | Pangga | |
| Darling or darleng | Liyag |
How Would You Respond If Someone Says I Love You?
Now that you have learned how to say I love you in Tagalog, it is important that you also know the common responses and what they mean.
Similar to our previous post on how to say good morning in the Tagalog language, all you need to worry about is the use of the word “din.”
For men who want to know the culture of dating a Filipina, expect some of these words to pop up too.
We are going to use “din” because the preceding word, “mahal”, ends with a consonant.
If ever you are gearing up to say I love you in Tagalog in various ways, we prepared a list of variations that can ultimately help you depending on your situation.
For additional reinforcement, be sure to check out the Ling app, which features fun mini-games and quizzes that can motivate you to practice.
Tips On Saying I Love You To Your Filipino Partner
Now that you’ve learned how to say I love you in Tagalog, it’s time to take them into practice. But, how do you even remember all these new words you’ve learned? Through daily application!
If you don’t want to look clueless as you try to impress your Filipino lover, then here are some tips to level-up your relationship.
- Find a quiet spot in your room and speak these words to yourself or in the mirror. You should at least memorize five words per day if you are really busy.
- It may sound outdated or even cliche, but try to write down these words and memorize them on a card. If that’s not your thing, then try to record yourself on your phone and play these words repeatedly.
- If you really don’t like hearing your voice, the Ling app is a great alternative that can help you practice not only the Tagalog pronunciation but also your writing and reading skills.
- Last but not least, practice these words with your native Tagalog-speaking partner. Don’t be shy. They’ll help you speak Taglaog in no time and even give lessons for free!
- Bonus tip! Did you know that ling in Tagalog is also an endearment? It’s used as a colloquial term for a lover, dear, or mahal and is frequently heard in Batangas or Mindoro. Many people think it is a shortened word for the English word “darling.”
Frequently Asked Questions About I Love You In Tagalog
What Do Filipinos Call Their Lover?
There are many nicknames that you can call your lover in the Philippines. It sometimes isn’t Tagalog, too. Here are some examples of words you can use for your Filipino lover:
- Sinta
- Mahal
- Irog
- Uyab
- Love
- Babe
- Darling
- Hon/Honey
- Princesa/Prinsipe
- Jowa
- Langga/Ga
- Pogi/Ganda
- Bebi/Baby
What Is The Meaning Of Sinta In The Philippines?
Sinta is a formal, old Tagalog endearment word that is a cognate of the Malaysian and Indonesian word “Cinta.” It is used to call your lover but is considered very polite and respectful.
What Does Kilig Mean?
Kilig doesn’t have a direct English translation, but this Tagalog word is related to your feelings for someone. Kilig is a moment of excitement that can be romantic or not for someone that you truly love.
If you want to learn more sweet Tagalog phrases, try repeating these words to your Tagalog-speaking loved one daily and they may even give you additional words to say too!
What Have You Learned About I Love You In Tagalog So Far?
Now, let’s recap what we’ve learned today. Saying mahal kita is I love you in Tagalog. You can also tell your partner, ikaw ang buhay ko, which means you are my life.
There are also many endearments that you can call your partner like irog, uyab, or even jowa.
Some may not be Tagalog but are already known as slang or colloquial terms.
Also, if you want to respond to your lover as she or he says, mahal kita, you can say mahal din kita.
So what will you tell your Filipino loved one today? Practice with them, and you can even memorize more than I love you in Tagalog.
Learning Basic Phrases In The Tagalog Language
With your newfound skill in properly expressing I love you in Tagalog phrases, you are definitely a lot closer to mastering the Filipino language!
Do remember that one of the best ways by which you can fully unlock your full potential is by practicing the target language consistently.
If you’ve found this post very eye-opening, we even have a better solution for you to learn basic phrases in Tagalog.
With the Ling app, you can download it on your phone or tablet and take at least 15 minutes in the relationships unit or Romance I or II.
Start saying maganda ang ngiti mo (your smile is beautiful) with correct Tagalog pronunciation.
The best thing you’ll discover is how effective it will be, as you can try following the sample Tagalog relationship audio and text conversations, too. Isn’t that amazing?
So what are you waiting for? Download the Ling app now and start learning Tagalog language!
2 Responses
Thank you so much this clarified a lot for me. I appreciate youR work here
Thank you so much. It’s a great help.
You inspire me to learn more of Tagulog.