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RUSSIAN IS ONE OF THE SIX OFFICIAL LANGUAGES OF THE UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATION
Below we indicate the different ways in which affection is expressed in the Russian language by saying “I love you”, explaining the differentiating nuances, which range from the expression of appreciation to the feeling for a loved one.
1. Я тебя люблю
Pronunciation: Ya tyeBYA lyuBLYU
This phrase is the most popular way to say “I love you” in Russian and is used in the same way as the expression in English. Words can be interchanged in different ways without losing meaning, such as: Я люблю тебя , Люблю тебя and Тебя люблю . In all three cases the translation is “I love you.”
When declaring your love to someone you’ve recently met or to a group of people, say Я вас люблю , which is a more formal version of “I love you” and can also mean “I love you all” in Russian.
2. Ты мне нравишься
Pronunciation: ty mnye NRAvishsya
Literal definition: you please me
Meaning: I like you
This is the polite way to tell someone that you are attracted to them. It is often used at the beginning of a romantic relationship. It can be made more formal by expressing Вы мне нравитесь when talking to someone you don’t know very well yet.
3. У меня к тебе чувства
Pronunciation: oo myeNYA k tyeBYE CHUStva
Literal definition: I have feelings for you
Meaning: I have feelings for you
It is a much more serious phrase, and it is used when the person intends or finds potential in a friendly relationship to turn it into love.
4. Я тебя обожаю
Pronunciation: ya tyeBYA abaZHAyu
Definition: I adore you
This passionate phrase is commonly used in romantic relationships, however it can also be used in connections between close friends and family members.
5. Я не могу без тебя жить
Pronunciation: ya nye maGOO byez tyeBYA ZHYT’
Definition: I can’t live without you
This is a passionate declaration of romantic love, it is used in the same way as its equivalent in the Spanish language and in the English language.
6. Я хочу быть с тобой
Pronunciation: ya haCHOO byt’s tabOY
Definition: I want to be with you
This phrase is used only in romantic relationships and shows a very strong intention to be with a person.
7. Выходи за меня замуж
Pronunciation: vyhaDEE za myeNYA ZAmoozh
Definition: Will you marry me?
Sometimes abbreviated to Выходи за меня , this is the phrase traditionally said during a marriage proposal.
8. такая милая / такой милый
Pronunciation: ty taKaya MEElaya / taKOY MEEly
Definition: you’re so lovely/pretty-precious/you’re so sweet
This endearing phrase is used as a compliment in romantic relationships. You can also say милый/милая only when talking to a loved one.
9. Мой сладкий / моя сладкая
Pronunciation: MOY SLADky / maYA SLADkaya
Literal definition: my love, sweetie
Meaning: darling
It is an affectionate term similar to “darling”, used in close relationships, especially romantic ones. Parents can also be heard using this endearing term to address their children.
10. Lapochka
Pronunciation: LApachka
Literal definition: small leg
Meaning: darling, adorable
This word is used to refer to someone sweet or cute, usually a romantic couple or a young child, as in these examples:
Он такой лапочка (in taKOY LApachka): It’s a charm.
Привет, лапушечка (preeVYET, laPOOshechka): Hello, sweetie.
11. Zaychik
Pronunciation: ZAYchik
Literal definition: bunny
Meaning: darling, darling
This term of endearment is very popular in Russia. It is used in a variety of situations where affective terms are appropriate, including romantic relationships, family interactions, and friendships.
12. Любимая / любимый
Pronunciation: luyBEEmaya / lyuBEEmy
Literal definition: beloved
Meaning: darling, my love
This term comes from the word любовь, which means “love”. It is a passionate term that is used exclusively in romantic relationships.
13. Счастье мое
Pronunciation: SHAStye MAY
Literal definition: my happiness
Meaning: darling, darling, my love
This affectionate term is appropriate to express love for your partner or child. It is considered very intense and sincere.
14. Umnitsa
Pronunciation: OOMneetsa
Literal definition: smart/brilliant
Meaning: good boy/good girl; you are so bright/smart
This word is used to congratulate someone who is particularly smart or who has done something especially well. It applies to both men and women, despite the feminine form of the word. The masculine form, Умник (OOMnik), refers to someone who is too smart for her own good, a know-it-all, so care must be taken not to confuse the terms.
15. Zolotze
Pronunciation: ZOlatseh
Literal definition: bit of gold
Meaning: my treasure
This word is used in close family and romantic relationships, usually when talking about children or partners.
16. Радость моя
Pronunciation: Radast’maYA
Literal definition: my joy
Meaning: A term of endearment
This is a way of speaking affectionately in family and romantic relationships.
17. Душа моя
Pronunciation: dooSHAH maYA
Literal definition: my soul
Meaning: my love
A very deep way to address your partner or child showing them affection and love. We often find it in classical Russian literature, rather than in everyday conversation.
18. Рыбка
Pronunciation: RYBkah
Literal definition: small fish
Meaning: darling, darling, little fish
Similar in usage to зайчик , this is an affectionate term frequently used in romantic and family relationships.
