Love You to the Moon and Back in Italia
"Anche in paradiso non è bello essere soli." ("Even in paradise it's not good to be alone.")
This quaint proverb is actually the Italian view on love. And to most Italians—and certainly many visitors—Italy is a paradise on earth.
It's not surprising that in such a beautiful place, surrounded by epic architecture, art and history, terms of endearment abound.
Italian is, after all, wildly romantic and fabulously lyrical.
But options to actually say "I love you" are surprisingly limited. No, I'm not kidding—ways to declare those three all-important words are pretty sparse.
As in, there are really only two concrete ways to say The Big Three important words in Italian.
Don't despair. There are lots of other ways to express love to everyone you know without actually saying it outright.
Let's take a look at the options.
And then, be prepared to spread some love!
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Say "I Love You" in Italian with 13 Affectionate Expressions
The 2 Main Ways to Say "I Love You" in Italian
Degrees of Affection Are Important in Italy
In Italian, the two main ways to say "I love you" aren't interchangeable. That is, you can't just choose one and use it any time you want to express feeling love for a person.
You're probably wondering why you can't just toss one version of the sentiment around whenever the feeling strikes. Why not just scatter one phrase the way you might sprinkle grated cheese on your pasta and be done with it?
Unlike cheese, which is yummy on both linguine and fettuccine, Italian "I love you" phrases aren't suitable for everyone.
The familiarity, affection and status of a relationship matter. A lot!
One expression is used with family and friends. The other phrase is exchanged only between people in serious relationships. It's saved for dating, marriage and deeply committed couples. So don't mix the two up!
The Big Two: "Ti amo" or "Ti voglio bene"?
We've established that there are basically two ways to say I love you in Italian. Here they are, in all their loving glory:
Ti amo (I love you)
Ti voglio bene (I love you [lit.: "I want you well"])
They're both sweet and roll of the tongue, don't they?
Since there are only two ways to say those all-important, sometimes life-changing words, it should be simple to make a declaration of love, right?
Hang on—don't spread the love just yet. It's not just a matter of getting the pronunciation correct and using your best voice. Determining when to use each phrase is a matter of familiarity and affection.
Once you see where each is used, it'll be a snap to choose the correct love phrase.
Ti voglio bene is the phrase to choose when you're showing love to family members, friends or other uncommitted relationships.
Your aunt gets this one.
Your best friend does, too.
And the person you're dating casually but who may be on the way to becoming a serious partner? He or she should hear "ti voglio bene"—at least until you move forward in your relationship.
Ti amo is the Italian superstar of love expressions. It's used to express that blissful, romantic love that we all hope to experience.
It's shared between spouses and engaged couples.
It's not for friends or siblings.
Remember, this is the completely committed, romantic expression that makes hearts beat faster!
How to Heat Things Up
Italy is well known for its warmth. The climate, food, drinks, landscape and sights attest to that.
Some of the country's attributes are downright steamy. Spicy, too!
Angel hair pasta can have some heat when it's made Italian-style. Hot chocolate gets a kick in The Boot. And the landscape literally steams in Italy. Think about Mount Etna, Mount Vesuvius or the miles of sun-kissed beaches.
In Italy, love can also be heated up. In fact, with one tiny word, it can be spiced up nicely!
To add depth to ti amo or ti voglio bene, tack on molto (very) to either phrase. This small word brings each declaration up a notch.
Just remember how Italian sentences are structured and addmolto after the verb:
Ti amo → Ti amo molto (I love you → I love you very much)
Ti voglio bene → Ti voglio molto bene (I love you → I love you very much)
11 More Expressions Used to Declare Love
Italian culture is super romantic but with only two expressions that say "I love you," is it possible to go beyond this basic declaration? Yes, it certainly is!
A quick disclaimer:Use discretion when speaking these expressions. They aren't casual, so don't toss them around like confetti at everyone around you. Instead, add a couple to your sweet murmurings and make your romantic partner sizzle.
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Jazz up your relationships with these romantic expressions:
Ti amo più oggi di ieri ma meno di domani.
Meaning: I love you more today than yesterday but less than tomorrow.
This is what romantic dreams are made of, isn't it? I don't know about you but I'd melt if someone said this to me!
Ti amo, amore mio.
Meaning:I love you, my darling.
Adding a term of endearment always takes a sentiment up a notch.
Ti adoro.
Meaning: I adore you.
Who doesn't want to be adored? So sweet!
Ho bisogno di te.
Meaning: I need you.
Needing is different from simply wanting. When someone says they need you it's almost as if your presence is essential to their well-being.
Very romantic, no?
This is an example of love being showcased with music. Popular Italian singer Eros Ramazzotti shows how spicy this declaration can be with his song "Ho bisogno di te."
Sei la mia anima gemella.
Meaning: You're my soul mate.
The phrase anima gemella (soul mate) elevates romance to the heavens, doesn't it?
Tu mi completi.
Meaning: You complete me.
A declaration that turns two into one. Così romantica! (So romantic!)
Senza di te, la vita non ha significato.
Meaning: Without you, life has no meaning.
An undying declaration of love like the kind you'd hear in an incredibly emotional movie scene!
Il mio cuore è tuo.
Meaning: My heart is yours.
This is another way to admit that your heart belongs to another.
Da quando ti conosco la mia vita è un paradiso.
Meaning: Since I met you my life is a paradise.
Remember the Italian proverb about how it's not good to solo in paradise? This expression shows that with the right person, life itself is paradise!
Sei la mia polpetta.
Meaning: You're my meatball.
Consider the Italian meal of pasta with meatballs. Many would say that without the meatballs, the pasta or meal isn't worth eating. They'd assert that it's incomplete on its own.
This expression is one that my elderly aunt and uncle pass between them as often as they hand the grated cheese across the table. It's old-fashioned and loving and for those two, it's a testament of decades of married life.
Veramente romantico! (Truly romantic!)
Ti amo più di quanto Botticelli amasse la sua Venere.
Meaning: I love you more than Botticelli loved his Venus.
I heard this in a small restaurant in Rome on a warm summer night. No, I wasn't on the receiving end of this incredible declaration but it made such a profound impression that I've never forgotten it.
I've seen the Botticelli exhibit so I understood how much love had gone into the masterpiece. I can't look at it anymore without being pulled back into that moment in that restaurant.
I hope you hear a similar wonderful declaration of love… and may it be directed at you!
Italians sure do know how to speak of love. It's such a wonderfully vivid, beautifully romantic language.And there are so many ways to show affection for loved ones that it's easy to immerse yourself in the romance.
Appreciate your family, friends or significant other with these sweet expressions. Share the love—and remember, even in a paradise as gorgeous as Italy, it's not good to be alone!
Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)
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Love You to the Moon and Back in Italia
Source: https://www.fluentu.com/blog/italian/i-love-you-in-italian/
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