Saying I love you in Thai is just as meaningful as in any other language. It is a powerful phrase that can potentially change the course of a relationship. It seems, just as with greetings and ‘thank you,‘ these are some of the first things many people look to learn when discovering a new language. So that is what we will be looking at today, along with some other important Thai phrases you should know related to love.
Whether you are learning to say it to your Thai partner or just out of curiosity, we wish you the best of luck!
How To Say I Love You In Thai
The way to say I love you is somewhat similar to in English. It is three words that pretty much directly translate into the same phrase but with one difference. The difference is that it contains gendered words. That means that you will need to pick the one that fits your gender.
| The Thai word for love is “rák” (รัก), while the word for you is “khun” (คุณ). The way to say ‘I’ will depend on whether you are male or female – I Love You (Male Speaker): Phǒm rák khun (ผม รัก คุณ) |
This is the most basic, simplest, and somewhat formal way of saying it. There are some ways you can change things to make them more specific and meaningful, too. You can add your own names, for example, making it more personal.
The Best Way To Tell Someone You Love Them In Thai
While the above phrases are correct, they can come off as stern and not as loving. As a non-native speaker, they will likely understand, but you can use this phrase to show you know what you are talking about.
| The phrase I would recommend you use is – Love You: Rák na (รักนะ) |
This translates more like ‘Love you!’, which is more informal and sounds more caring or natural. It can be used by both male and female speakers.
Other Ways To Show Your Love In Thai
Looking for some other Thai love phrases you can use to impress your significant other? Well, look no further. Here are some other words and phrases similar to I love you in Thai that you should learn.
For example, maybe if love is a bit too strong a word, you can say something a bit more subtle.
- I like you: Phǒm/chǎn chɔ̂ɔp khun (ผม/ฉันชอบคุณ)
There may be times when you are apart, and you want to let them know that you miss them. You can use this phrase:
- I miss you: Phǒm/chǎn khít thʉ̌ŋ khun (ผม/ฉันคิดถึงคุณ)
Generally, you can make these phrases sound more powerful if you add “mâak” (มาก, very) to the end, which means a lot. You can also add the polite words “khrap/kha” (ครับ/ค่ะ) at the end.
Since everyone likes compliments, you can remind your partner that they look great, too.
- You are beautiful: Khun sǔay (คุณสวย)
- You are handsome: Khun lɔ̀ɔ (คุณหล่อ)
And if you are a fan of the cuteness, you can also say:
- You are cute: Khun nâarák (คุณน่ารัก)
These are a few different ways to show that you are really into the other person. You should try these out and see what sort of reaction you get.
How Do Thai People Call Their Lovers?
Love’s a universal language, but when it comes to expressing it in Thai, there’s a special flavor to it. Ever been tongue-tied trying to introduce your better half to someone?
Or maybe you’ve fumbled when trying to use a term of endearment? Don’t sweat it. Thai has its own set of sweet and sincere terms to talk about those we hold dear. Here’s a little cheat sheet for you:
| Relationship Status | Thai | Transliteration | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Girlfriend/Boyfriend | แฟน | Fɛɛn | A term used for both girlfriend and boyfriend. Derived from the English word “fan.” |
| Darling or Beloved | ที่รัก | Thîi rák | An endearing term used for loved ones. |
| Husband (Formal) | สามี | Sǎamii | The formal term for husband. Often used in official documents or formal contexts. |
| Husband (Informal) | ผัว | Phǔa | A colloquial term for husband. Commonly used in daily conversation. |
| Wife (Formal) | ภรรยา | Phanrayaa | The formal term for wife. Often used in official documents or formal contexts. |
| Wife (Informal) | เมีย | Mia | A colloquial term for wife. Commonly used in daily conversation. |
| Love (noun/verb) | รัก | Rák | Refers to the feeling or action of love. |
| Sweetheart | หวานใจ | Wǎan cay | Literally translates to “sweet heart.” An affectionate term for a loved one. |
| Fiancé (Male) | คู่หมั้นชาย | Khûu mân chaay | Refers to a man who is engaged to be married. |
| Fiancée (Female) | คู่หมั้นหญิง | Khûu mân yǐŋ | Refers to a woman who is engaged to be married. |
Learn Relationships And Love In Thailand With Ling!
So there you go, this is how you say the three important words I love you in Thai. You will hopefully have learned a few other important words you can use. Of course, before working your way up to saying “I love you,” you’ll want to know how to say “hello” in Thai first.
As a somewhat conservative country, you should probably stick to using these phrases in truly meaningful situations. However, depending on your relationship with that special someone, I am sure they will appreciate you saying it to them. You just need to make sure you use the correct phrase. Otherwise, they might have a reason to tease you.
Practice makes perfect, and the Ling app is one of the best ways to test yourself for the real moment. Try it today and see how it helps in learning the language of Thailand.
So what are you waiting for? Learn more Thai romantic words with the Ling app. Download it now on the Play Store or App Store.
