Send a love note in Chinese

12 ways to say it, and who to say them to

1. wǒ我ài爱nǐ你。

   I love you.

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   For: Someone you are sure of. It is a big thing to say in Chinese.

2. wǒ我xǐhuan喜欢nǐ你。

   I like you.

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   For: Someone you are falling for. It is how most people say it first.

3. wǒ我xiǎng想nǐ你le了。

   I miss you.

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   For: Your partner, or anyone far away. It is said far more often than 我爱你.

4. yǒu有nǐ你zhēn真hǎo好。

   I’m so glad I have you.

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   For: Your partner, your family or a close friend.

5. nǐ你shì是wǒ我de的wéiyī唯一。

   You’re my one and only.

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   For: Your partner.

6. yǒngyuǎn永远ài爱nǐ你。

   I’ll love you forever.

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   For: Your partner.

7. yīshēng-yīshì一生一世。

   For a lifetime.

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   For: Your partner, as a promise. 1314 (yī sān yī sì) sounds like it, so 5201314 is “I love you for a lifetime”.

8. zhízǐ-zhīshǒu执子之手，yǔzǐ-xiélǎo与子偕老。

   I’ll hold your hand and grow old with you.

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   For: Your partner, on an anniversary or at a wedding. It comes from the Book of Songs (诗经), China’s oldest poems.

9. wǒmen我们zài在yīqǐ一起ba吧。

   Let’s be together.

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   For: Someone you are asking to be your partner.

10. qíngrénjié情人节kuàilè快乐！

    Happy Valentine’s Day!

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    For: Your partner, on 14 February.

11. qīxī七夕kuàilè快乐！

    Happy Qixi!

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    For: Your partner, on Qixi, Chinese Valentine’s Day.

12. wǎn’ān晚安，hǎomèng好梦。

    Good night, sweet dreams.

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    For: Your partner, as the day’s last message.