Despite their sexy label, the Romance languages weren’t really invented to convey the language of love. Rather they are part of a larger group of languages derived from Latin, which was spoken in ancient Rome.
The website Ethnologue.com lists 41 different Romance languages spoken throughout the world. The most well known and most widely spoken are Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, and Romanian. As their family name suggests, these languages are very romantic sounding, perfect for Valentines sentiments and words of endearments.
Get Romantic With International Valentine Phrases
Of course the most important phrase on Valentines Day has to be “I love you.” Whether spoken in person or written on cards, in poems, or through other forms of correspondence, this phrase is key to any romantic relationship.
The following are common, literal translations for “I love you.”
- French: Je t'aime.
- Italian: Ti amo. (very intimate, used only with lovers)
- Spanish: Te amo.
- Portuguese: Eu te amo.
- Romanian: Te iubesc.
When designing a very special Valentine card or whispering sweet nothings into the ear of a lover, perhaps a stronger sentiment is in order, such as “I adore you” or “I want/desire you.” Impress the object of your desire with these words:
- French: Je vous adore / Je vous désire.
- Italian: Ti adoro / Ti desidero.
- Spanish: Te adoro / Te quiero.
- Portuguese: Eu adoro você / Te quero.
- Romanian: Eu te ador / I desire tu.
More Valentine Sentiments in Multiple Languages
Try these romantic words and phrases when creating cards, poetry, or other Valentine messages.
For my love – French: pour mon amour / Italian: per il mio amore / Spanish: para mi amor / Portuguese: para o meu amor / Romanian: pentru meu dragostea
My dearest / my darling – French: ma chérie / Italian: mio caro/ il mio tesoro / Spanish: mi querido / Portuguese: meu caro / minha querida / Romanian: dragul meu / draga mea
My passion – French: ma passion / Italian: la mia passione / Spanish: mi pasión / Portuguese: minha paixão / Romanian: meu patima
My desire – French: mon désir / Italian: il mio desiderio / Spanish: mi deseo / Portuguese: meu desejo / Romanian: meu desire
Key Valentine Words in Foreign Languages
What would Valentines Day be without flowers and chocolates? Send some sweet words on this day of love and friendship.
Flowers – fleurs(French); i fiori (Italian); flores (Spanish); flores (Portuguese); flori (Romanian)
Chocolate – chocolat (French); cioccolatini (Italian); chocolate (Spanish); cacau (Portuguese); ciocolata (Romanian)
Heart – cœur (French); cuore (Italian); corazón (Spanish); coração (Portuguese); inima (Romanian)
Kiss/kisses – baiser / baisers (French); bacio / i baci (Italian); beso / besos (Spanish); beijo / beijos (Portuguese); sarut / sarutari (Romanian)
Here's how to say "The day of love and friendship."
- French: Cette journée d'amour et d'amitié
- Italian: Questo giorno di amore e di amicizia
- Spanish: Este día del amor y la amistad
- Portuguese: Neste dia de amor e amizade
- Romanian: A doua zi, de dragoste si prietenie
Have fun with the above romantic terms of endearment in five different romance languages.
Happy Valentines Day!
[Joyeuse Saint Valentin (French); Felice la festa di San Valentino (Italian); Feliz día de San Valentín (Spanish); Feliz Dia de São Valentim (Portuguese); fericit valentines zi (Romanian)]
For another romantic way to stretch language skills, try watching some romantic French, Spanish, and Italian foreign language films.
VAL101
Margaret M. Williams - Margaret M. Williams (Peggy) has been a teacher for over 25 years. She currently teaches first grade in a classroom that combines native ...
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