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!
Table of Contents
I Love You In Thai
The way to say I love you in Thai 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 Thai 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 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.
Use this list of Thai compliments and pick out your favorite!
How Do You Say I Love You In Thai?
“Phǒm/chǎn rák khun” (ผม/ฉันรักคุณ) is a formal way of saying I love you in Thai. “Rák na” (รักนะ) is a more informal phrase, but carries the same meaning.
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:
Tips When Saying I Love You In Thai And Other Related Phrases
Now that you know all of these ways to express your love and affection in Thai.
Why not give it a shot by telling your significant other? Don’t be shy, they’ll definitely appreciate your effort to learn Thai for them!
However, there are some tips that you should take note of when applying these lovely phrases to your conversations with your loved ones.
- Have your significant other teach you some phrases themselves! They can teach you their preferred phrases, and learning from them can help the words stay in your mind longer.
- Practice using these phrases regularly, use flashcards or other learning tools like the Ling app to expand your love-related vocabulary.
- To practice your Thai writing, get into writing small notes or love letters for your significant other.
- If you’d like to get into Thai pop culture, there are numerous Thai rom-coms or movies that can teach you and help you get familiar with Thai love dynamics. Your partner will also be thoroughly impressed you know them!
Practice makes perfect! Use these tips and more importantly, your own intuition, to show love to your Thai partner!
Common Questions About How To Say I Love You In Thai
1. What Does “Rak Ter” Mean?
“Rák təə” (รักเธอ) is an informal way of saying I love you in Thai, although it translates better to “love you!” in English.
Alternatively, “rák təə ná” (รักเธอมะ) increases the cute factor by adding the softness particle “ná” (มะ) to the end of the phrase.
2. What Does “Khun Na Rak” Mean?
“Kun nâa rák” (คุณน่ารัก) means “you’re cute” in Thai. “Kun” (คุณ) means ‘you’, and “nâa rák” (น่ารัก) means “cute”.
You can amplify this meaning by adding “mâak” (มาก) to the end to say “Kun nâa rák mâak” (คุณน่ารักมาก), meaning “you’re really cute”!
3. What Does “Chan Chob Kun” Mean?
“Chǎn chɔ̂ɔp khun” (ฉันชอบคุณ) is a way for a female to say “I like you” in Thai.
The equivalent for men is “Phǒm chɔ̂ɔp khun” (ผมชอบคุณ).
The difference lies in the distinct Thai pronouns for ‘I’, which changes according to the speaker’s gender.
Show Love In Thai With What You’ve Learned
So there you go, this is how you say the three important words of I love you in Thai.
You will hopefully have learned a few other important words you can use with your significant other.
Of course, before working your way up to saying “I love you,” you’ll want to know how to say “hello” in Thai first.
It may also be helpful to learn about Thai grammar rules, to ensure that everything goes smoothly on your dates.
Learn Relationships And Love In Thailand With Ling!
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, or they might have a reason to tease you!
