Saying I love you is one of the strongest ways to tell someone how much they mean to you, and it is a way to express your feelings while making that special person feel cared for. The phrase “I love you” is not just a term you can say during Valentine’s day; it is a deep term you can use when you need to express those strong feelings to your loved ones.
Therefore, if you have someone dear to you who speaks Cantonese and would like to offer a much more memorable moment while telling them your feelings, you could tell them I love you in Cantonese.
In this blog, you will learn this phrase plus other widely used Cantonese phrases to use with a Cantonese person.
How To Say I Love You In Cantonese?
You may probably have heard Wǒ ài nǐ (我爱你) more often. This phrase is from Mandarin, a language that is widely spoken in Mainland China. But this blog will focus on another Chinese language, Cantonese. So if you are planning to go to Hong Kong or if your loved one is from Hong Kong, you may want to learn the following words and phrases related to love and to date.
1. I love You: 我愛你 (Ngo5 Oi3 Nei5)
This is the common way to say I love you in Cantonese. Ngo5 Oi3 Nei5 (我愛你) literally means “I love you” in English. This phrase is used when confessing your love to someone.
In addition, if someone else tells you, “I love you” and you want to say “I love you too” in Cantonese, use the following phrase: 我都愛你 (ngo5 dou1 oi3 nei5 – I love you too)
2. You Mean So Much To Me: 你喺我心目中好重要 (Nei5 Hai2 Ngo5 Sam1 Muk6 Zung1 Hou2 Zung6 Jiu3)
Some people are not that comfortable expressing what they feel. If you want not to be too direct to say I love you in Cantonese, say nei5 hai2 ngo5 sam1 muk6 zung1 hou2 zung6 jiu3. (你喺我心目中好重要。) This means “You mean so much to me.” in English.
3. Words Can’t Describe My Love For You: 冇辦法用言語嚟形容我對你嘅愛 (Mou5 Baan6 Faat3 Jung6 Jin4 Jyu5 Lei4 Jing4 Jung4 Ngo5 Deoi3 Nei5 Ge3 Oi3)
Sometimes, words are not enough to express your feelings to the one you loved. So, to say that in Cantonese, use the sentence Mou5 baan6 faat3 jung6 jin4 jyu5 lei4 jing4 jung4 ngo5 deoi3 nei5 ge3 oi3. This means “Words can’t describe my love for you.” in English.
4. A Hundred Hearts Would Be Too Few To Carry All My Love For You: 百個心都裝唔晒我對你嘅愛 (Jat1 Baak3 Go3 Sam1 Dou1 Zong1 M4 Saai3 Ngo5 Deoi3 Nei5 Ge3 Oi3)
Some people love it to be extra cheesy. They usually use figurative words not to exaggerate but to show how deeply they are in love. Another way to say I love you in Cantonese is Jat1 baak3 go3 sam1 dou1 zong1 m4 saai3 ngo5 deoi3 nei5 de3 oi3. (百個心都裝唔晒我對你嘅愛。). This means “A hundred hearts would be too few to carry all my love for you.”
5. Words Can’t Describe My Love For You: 我好中意你啊 (Ngo5 Hou2 Zung1 Ji3 Nei5 Aa3)
Locals from Hong Kong often say Ngo5 Hou2 Zung1 Ji3 Nei5 Aa3 (我好中意你啊。) when confessing their love for the first time since it is not too heavy. It means “I really like you.”
6.I Think Of You As More Than A Friend: 我當你係朋友咋 (Ngo5 Dong3 Nei5 Hai6 Pang4 Jau5 Zaa3)
Making more subtle is the game plan of some, especially if they are not that good with words. Another way to say I love you in Cantonese that is more subtle is Ngo5 dong3 nei5 hai6 pang4 jau5 zaa3. (我當你係朋友咋。). This means “I think of you as more than a friend.” in English.
Phrases About Dating In Cantonese
Now that we are done with the ways how to say I love you in Cantonese, let’s move on to one of the exciting parts of a romantic relationship called dating. Of course, dating is a part of a relationship where you discover and know more about your loved one. Here are some dating words and phrases in Cantonese that you need to know:
1. Would you like to go out to dinner with me?: 賞面同我食餐飯嗎? (Soeng2 Min2 Tung4 Ngo5 Sik6 Caan1 Faan6 Maa3?)
To formally asked somebody out for dinner, you can say Soeng2 min2 tung4 ngo5 sik6 caan1 faan6 maa3? (賞面同我食餐飯嗎?). This literally means, “Would you like to go out to dinner with me?”.
2. Are you free this weekend?: 你今個禮拜尾得唔得閒? (Nei5 Gam1 So3 Lai5 Baai1 Mei5 Dak1 M4 Dak1 Haan4?)
If you want to ask someone out, you can also say Nei5 gam1 go3 lai5 baai1 mei5 dak1 m4 dak1 haan4? (你今個禮拜尾得唔得閒?) which means “Are you free this weekend?” in English. This is more subtle and informal than the first one. Loving somebody includes making time for him/her even in your busiest schedule.
3. What time shall we meet tomorrow?: 我哋聽日幾點見? (Ngo5 Dei6 Ting1 Jat6 Gei2 Dim2 Gin3?)
One of the golden rules in dating is to be on time. The phrase Ngo5 dei6 ting1 jat6 gei2 dim2 gin3? (我哋聽日幾點見?) means “What time shall we meet tomorrow?”. Remember, it is said that the first impression lasts so do your best to be on time or earlier.
4. Where shall we meet?: 我哋喺邊度等? (Ngo5 Dei6 Hai2 Bin1 Dou6 Dang2?)
Most of the first dates are very memorable. So to ask about a place to meet, say Ngo5 dei6 hai2 bin1 dou6 dang2? (我哋喺邊度等). This means “Where shall we meet?” in English.
5. Can I see you again?: 我可唔可以再約你? (Ngo5 ho2 m4 ho2 ji3 zoi3 joek3 nei5?)
If the date went well, make sure not to miss your opportunity. Say Ngo5 ho2 m4 ho2 ji3 zoi3 joek3 nei5? (我可唔可以再約你?). This means “Can I see you again?” in English.
6. I will drive you home: 我車你返屋企 (Ngo5 Ce1 Nei5 Faan1 Uk1 Kei5)
They say that chivalry is dead but try to prove them wrong. If you are a real man, make sure she is safe by driving her home. It is also a sign of respect. Use Ngo5 ce1 nei5 faan1 uk1 kei5. (我車你返屋企。) to say “I will drive you home.” But remember that not every girl is comfortable with especially if you have just met.
7. That was a great evening: 今晚好開心 (Gam1 Maan1 Hou2 Hoi1 Sam1)
Let him/her know how much you had fun during your entire date by saying Gam1 maan1 hou2 hoi1 sam1. (今晚好開心。). This means “That was a great evening.” in English.
What Cantonese Phrases Can I Use In Valentine’s Day
February is considered the month of love because of Valentine’s day. It is a day filled with romance, sweets, and love. Giving gifts to your partner is part of the Hong Kong locals’ culture. For some, this is the day to make the person you love feel extra loved and cared for.
For some people, it is the perfect opportunity to confess their feelings. Here are some words and phrases that you must learn that are related to Valentine’s day.
Cantonese | Pinyin | English Translation |
情人節 | cing4 jan4 zit3 | Valentine’s Day |
你願意做我嘅愛人嗎? | Nei5 jyun6 ji3 zou6 ngo5 ge3 oi3 jan4 maa3? | Will you be my Valentine? |
女朋友 | neoi5 pang4 jau5 | Girlfriend |
男朋友 | naam4 pang4 jau5 | Boyfriend |
錫 | sek3 | to kiss |
朱古力 | zyu1 gu1 lik1 | chocolate |
鮮花 | sin1 faa1 | flowers |
愛 | oi3 | love |
Cantonese Phrases For A Marriage Proposal
One of the purposes of dating is to find a partner with whom you can spend your life. Marriage is a sign of everlasting love and union. If you happen to find your one true love and decide to get married, these are some Cantonese phrases that will be helpful to propose:
Cantonese | Pinyin | English Translation |
你願意嫁俾我嗎? | Nei5 jyun6 ji3 gaa3 bei2 ngo5 maa3? | Will you marry me? |
我想永遠同你一齊。 | Ngo5 soeng2 wing5 jyun5 tung4 nei5 jat1 cai4. | I want to be with you forever. |
我哋注定喺埋一齊。 | Ngo5 dei6 zyu3 ding6 hai2 maai4 jat1 cai4. | We were meant to be together. |
我唔可以冇咗你。 | Ngo5 m4 ho2 ji3 mou5 zo2 nei5. – | I can’t imagine my life without you in it. |
Other Cheesy Cantonese Love Words And Phrases
Here are some other romantic words and phrases in Cantonese to make it more cheesy:
Cantonese | Pinyin | English Translation |
我暗戀你。 | Ngo5 am3 lyun5 nei5. | I’ve got a crush on you. |
你係我嘅陽光,我嘅愛人。 | Nei5 hai6 ngo5 ge3 joeng4 gwong1, ngo5 ge3 oi3 jan4. | You are my sunshine, my love. |
愛就係愛。解釋唔到。 | Oi3 zau6 hai6 oi3. gaai2 sik1 m4 dou2 | Love is just love. It can never be explained. |
令一切都由愛出發。 | Ling6 jat1 cai3 dou1 jau4 oi3 ceot1 faat3. | Let all that you do be done in love. |
你好靚。 | Nei5 hou2 leng3. | You’re so beautiful. |
你好靚仔。 | Nei5 hou2 leng3 zai2 | You’re so handsome. |
Saying I love you is like reminding your loved one how much you value him/her in your life. Knowing that somebody loves you and treasures you with all his/her heart is one of the greatest feelings in life that is really priceless. Now that you have learned how to say I love you in Cantonese, all these words, don’t forget to “walk the talk.” Do not be somebody who is just good with words but does not have the guts to take action. Show your sincerity through your efforts, and make sure to do your best not to hurt the one you love.
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