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 how you can express affection using the Filipino language.
How 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 prove to be harder than we thought. In fact, it is even more challenging to say if you are just learning a new language. 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:
* 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 though in dramatic movies, tv-series, and original Pinoy music (OPM) as this variation is used to express intense yet old-fashioned love.
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 “mahal” | Translation | Pronunciation |
| Mahal din kita! | “I love you too!” | |
| Ang mahal naman niyan! | “That’s expensive!” |
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 structure, see the examples below:
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 | Pronunciation |
| 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 response 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.” 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.
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.
For additional reinforcement, be sure to check out the Ling app, which features fun mini-games and quizzes that can motivate you to practice. Download the Ling app from the App Store or Google Play Store now and learn more about Tagalog day by day!
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.