Chinese Love Phrases & Romantic Expressions
Whether you have a Chinese partner, a crush, or just want to impress someone on Valentine's Day (情人节 qíngrén jié), these romantic phrases range from sweet and sincere to playful and poetic. Chinese love language is often more subtle and poetic than English — directness is less common, but the words are deeply beautiful.
Essential Love Phrases
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 我爱你 | wǒ ài nǐ | I love you | Serious; Chinese people don't say this lightly! |
| 我喜欢你 | wǒ xǐhuān nǐ | I like you | More common first confession than 我爱你 |
| 我想你 | wǒ xiǎng nǐ | I miss you | Very commonly used between couples |
| 你真漂亮 | nǐ zhēn piàoliang | You're really beautiful | For women |
| 你真帅 | nǐ zhēn shuài | You're really handsome | For men |
| 我们在一起吧 | wǒmen zài yīqǐ ba | Let's be together | The classic "DTR" phrase |
| 你是我的唯一 | nǐ shì wǒ de wéiyī | You are my only one | Romantic & poetic |
| 宝贝 | bǎobèi | Baby / Darling | Most popular pet name in Chinese |
| 亲爱的 | qīn'ài de | Dear / Darling | Used in texts, calls, and letters |
| 520 | wǔ èr líng | "I love you" (internet slang) | Sounds like 我爱你; May 20 = Chinese Valentine's Day online |
Classic Love Poetry Lines
- 执子之手，与子偕老 (zhí zǐ zhī shǒu, yǔ zǐ xié lǎo) — "Hold your hand and grow old with you" — from the Book of Songs, 2,600 years old!
- 海枯石烂 (hǎi kū shí làn) — "Until the seas dry and rocks crumble" — eternal love
- 一见钟情 (yījiàn zhōngqíng) — "Love at first sight"
Cultural Note: Chinese couples celebrate multiple Valentine's Days: February 14 (Western), May 20 (520 = 我爱你), and 七夕 (qīxī, 7th day of 7th lunar month — the original Chinese Valentine's Day based on a love legend).
More Romantic Chinese Phrases (with Pinyin)
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 我喜欢你 | wǒ xǐhuān nǐ | I like you |
| 我想你 | wǒ xiǎng nǐ | I miss you |
| 你愿意做我女朋友吗？ | nǐ yuànyì zuò wǒ nǚ péngyou ma? | Will you be my girlfriend? |
| 你是我的唯一 | nǐ shì wǒ de wéiyī | You are my only one |
| 执子之手，与子偕老 | zhí zǐ zhī shǒu, yǔ zǐ xié lǎo | Hold your hand and grow old together |
Number love codes: 520 (wǔ èr líng) sounds like 我爱你 "I love you", and 521 means "I'm willing". Lovers send these on May 20 (5/20), China's unofficial Valentine's Day.