I heart you in 10 languages

Love is complicated. In an increasingly connected world, people from all over the globe are coming together and falling in love. However, when you find that one person that makes your heart skip a beat, there are often some barriers to overcome. Language, for starters, can be a big barrier (although love does conquer all!). To help, I have put together a few love-themed tips to cut out Cupid and help you woo your significant other!

1. French

I love you – Je t’aime

Sweetie – Cheri (male) Cherie (female) (pronounced the same. Just different spelling.)

Sweetie – Ma puce (literally means my flea, no joke!)

2. Italian

I love you – Ti voglio bene/Ti amo

Dear – Caro (male) Cara (female)

If someone ever tells you, “sei una ragazza di acqua e sapone,” which literally means, “you are a girl of water and soap,” it just means you have that girl-next-door look. No make-up needed. Just water and soap.

3. Spanish

I love you – Te quiero/Te amo

Sweetheart – Corazon (literally means “heart.” Why not go all out, right?)

Sugarcube – Terron de azucar  (because what better way to tell someone they’re sweet than literally calling them sugar?)

4. Portuguese

I love you – Eu te amo

Beloved – Querido or chuchu (sweetie/literally means “chayote,” a type of vegetable)

Que saudade – No direct English translations (yup, one of those). But you say it when you desperately miss something or someone; to the point of heartache. You can say “Que saudade!” when remembering a childhood pet, or your love that is on the other side of the planet. Many Brazilians end their e-mails with “Saudades” which is their way of telling you that they’re missing you long time.

Bonus: Six ways to say I love you in languages I love

1. Turkish – Seni seviyorum

2. Albanian – Te dua

3. Afrikaans – Ek het jou liefe or Ek is lief vir jou

4. Mandarin – Wo ai ni

5. Greek – S’agapo

6. Arabic – Ana behibak (to male) Ana behibek (to female)

Now, go forth young grasshopper! Let that person know how you truly feel.