Portuguese is a language full of passion, and that means there are plenty of ways to say 'I love you'. Whether you're confessing deep feelings or just flirting, here's your guide to the most common (and some not-so-common) expressions.
The Basics: 'I Love You' in Portuguese
Te amo
/tʃi ˈɐ.mu/“I love you”
Eu te amo
/ew tʃi ˈɐ.mu/“I love you”
Amo-te
/ˈɐ.mu tɨ/“I love you”
Less Intense (But Still Romantic) Alternatives
Not ready for 'Te amo'? These phrases work well for newer relationships or when you want to keep things light.
Gosto de você
/ˈɡoʃ.tu dʒi voˈse/“I like you”
Estou a fim de você
/esˈto(w) a ˈfĩ dʒi voˈse/“I'm into you / I fancy you”
Tenho uma queda por você
/ˈtẽ.ɲu ˈu.mɐ ˈke.dɐ poɾ voˈse/“I have a crush on you”
Regional Variations
Portuguese varies a lot between countries. Here’s how love is expressed differently across the Lusophone world.
Mô (Brazil)
/mo/“Love / Babe”
Meu bem (Brazil/Portugal)
/mew ˈbẽj̃/“My dear / My love”
Chuchu (Angola)
/ʃuˈʃu/“Sweetheart”
Slang and Playful Expressions
Because sometimes 'I love you' just isn’t fun enough.
Tô caidinho(a) por você
/to kaɪˈdʒĩ.ɲu poɾ voˈse/“I'm crazy about you”
Você é meu xodó
/voˈse ɛ mew ʃoˈdɔ/“You're my sweetheart”
Tô gamado(a) em você
/to ɡaˈma.du ẽj̃ voˈse/“I'm hooked on you”
When Words Aren't Enough: Gestures and Culture
In Portuguese-speaking cultures, love isn’t just about words. Here’s what else matters.
- Physical touch: Brazilians, especially, are affectionate. Holding hands, hugs, and cheek kisses are common even early in relationships.
- Nicknames: Couples often use playful nicknames like 'amor' (love), 'fofo/a' (cute), or even random food terms ('meu pudim' – my pudding).
- Public displays of affection: More accepted in Brazil than in Portugal. Don’t be surprised to see couples kissing openly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even small errors can change the meaning (or make you sound awkward). Here’s what to watch out for.
- Don’t mix up 'gostar' (to like) and 'amar' (to love). Saying 'Eu amo pizza' ('I love pizza') is fine, but saying 'Eu amo você' on a first date might freak someone out.
- In Portugal, 'adoro-te' means 'I adore you', but in Brazil, 'adoro' is often used for things ('Adoro sorvete' – I love ice cream).
- Avoid literal translations like 'Eu amor você' – it’s grammatically wrong. Stick to 'Te amo' or 'Eu te amo'.
Got any favourite Portuguese love phrases? Drop them in the comments (if this were Reddit, which it’s not, but you get the vibe).
