How to Say I Love You in Russian

Last Updated: January 10, 2023 References

The most basic way to say “I love you” in Russian is “Ya tebya lyublyu.” There also are many other ways to express love and affection in Russian, however. Here are a few helpful ones to know.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Standard "I Love You"

1
Say "Ya tebya lyublyu." This is the most straight-forward, direct translation of “I love you.”^{[1]
X
Research source}
- In Russian script, this expression is written as, Я тебя люблю ^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
- Pronounce this expression as, ya tee-BYAH lyoo-BLYOO.
- Ya means "I" in Russian.
- Tebya means "you."
- Lyublyu means "love."
2
Respond with "Ya tozhe tebya lyublyu." If someone tells you that they love you first, then this would be the right way to respond to his or her proclamation.
- In Russian script, this expression is written as, Я тоже тебя люблю
- Pronounce this expression as, ya toh-zhay tee-BYAH lyoo-BLYOO.^{[3]
  X
  Research source}
- Notice that this saying is the exact same as the saying for “I love you,” with the exception of the word “tozhe.” This is the Russian word for “too” or “also.”^{[4]
  X
  Research source}

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Other Ways to Express Love

1
State "Ya lyublyu tebya vsem serdtsem". Use this expression to emphasize the depth of your love.
- In Russian script, this expression is written as, Я люблю тебя всем сердцем
- Pronounce this expression as, ya loo-bhloo tyeh-byah fsyehm syehrt-sehm.
- Translated in a fairly literal way, this expression means, "I love you with all my heart."
2
Tell your loved one "Ya lyublyu tebya vsey dushoy." This is another expression you can use to emphasize how deep and sincere your love is.
- In Russian script, this expression is written as, Я люблю тебя всей душой
- Pronounce this expression as, ya loo-bhloo tyeh-byah fsyei doo-shoi.
- Translated in a fairly direct way, this expression means, “I love you with all my soul.”
3
Declare "Ya ne mogu zhit' bez tebya." This expression to tell a man or woman you love that you need him or her to make it through each day.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- In Russian script, this expression is written as, Я не могу жить без тебя
- Pronounce this expression as, ya nyee mah-goo zhit byehs tyeh-byah.
- A fairly direct translation of this phrase would be, "I can't live without you."
4
Tell a woman, "Ty nuzhna mnye." This expression should be used to tell a woman that you need her in your life.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- In Russian script, this expression is written as, Ты нужна мне
- Pronounce this expression as, tye nooz-nah mnyeh.
- This expression should be translated into English as “I need you.”
5
Tell a man, "Ty nuzhen mne." This expression should be used to tell a man that you need him in a your life.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- In Russian script, this expression is written as, Ты нужен мне
- Pronounce this expression as, tye nooz-hen mnyeh.
- This expression should be translated into English as “I need you.”

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Terms of Endearment

1
Call a woman "Lyubimaya" and a man "Lyubimyy." Use this term to call someone your "darling" or "sweetheart."^{[8]
X
Research source}
- In Russian script, “Lyubimaya” is pronounced as loo-bee-mah-ya and written as, Любимая
- “Lyubimyy” is pronounced as loo-bee-myee and written as, Любимый
- A more literal translation would be “favorite.”^{[9]
  X
  Research source}
2
Refer to a woman as "Kotonok" or a man as "Kotik." This term should be used to call someone your “kitten.”
- In Russian script, “Kotyonok” is pronounced as kah-tyoh-nahk and written as, Котёнок
- “Kotik” is pronounced as koh-tiik and written as, Котик
- A literal translation would be “kitten” or “little cat.”^{[10]
  X
  Research source}
3
Affectionately use "Dorogaya" for a woman or "Dorogoy" for a man. This is another term you could use to call someone “love” or “darling.”^{[11]
X
Research source}
- In Russian script, “Dorogaya” is pronounced as dah-rah-gah-ya and written as, Дорогая
- “Dorogoy” is pronounced as dah-rah-goi and written as, Дорогой
- Translated literally, this term means “expensive.”
4
Use the term "Sladkaya" for a woman or "Sladkiy" for a man. This term should be used to call someone "sweetie" or "honey."
- In Russian script, “Sladkaya” is pronounced as slaht-kah-ya and written as, Сладкая
- “Sladkiy” is pronounced as slaht-kii and written as, Сладкий
- Translated literally, this word means “sweet.”
5
Refer to a man or woman as "Solnyshko." This term of endearment should be used to call someone “sunshine.”^{[12]
X
Research source}
- In Russian script, this term is written as, Солнышко
- Pronounce this term as, sohl-nyee-shkah.
- Translated literally, this means, “little sun.”
6
Call a woman "Printsessa." This expression should be used to make a woman feel like royalty.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- In Russian script, this term is written as, Принцесса
- Pronounce this term as, preen-tseh-sah.
- A direct translation of this term would be “princess.”
7
Call a man "Tigryonok." This is a playful way of calling a guy “tiger.”
- In Russian script, this term is written as, Тигрёнок
- Pronounce this term as, tee-gryoh-nahk.
- A direct translation of this term would be “little tiger.”

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Loving Compliments

1
Let a woman know, "Ty takaya krasivaya." This expression compliments a woman's overall beauty and should only be used for women.
- In Russian script, this expression is written as, Ты такая красивая!
- Pronounce this expression as, tye tah-kah-ya krah-shee-vahyah.
- Translated directly, it means, “You are so beautiful.”
2
Let a man know, "Ty takoj krasivyj." This expression compliments a man's overall attractiveness and should only be used for men.
- In Russian script, this expression is written as, Ты такой красивый!
- Pronounce this expression as, tye tah-koi rah-shee-vwee.
- Translated directly, it means, “You are so handsome.”
3
Gaze into your loved one's eyes and say, "U tebya krasivyye glaza."^{[14]
X
Research source} This expression can be used for men and women.
- In Russian script, this expression is written as, У тебя красивые глаза
- Pronounce this expression as, oo tyeh-byah krah-see-vwee-yeh glah-zah.
- A direct translation would be, “You have beautiful eyes.”
4
When he or she laughs, say, "U tebya ocharovatel'naya ulybka." This expression can also be used for men and women.
- In Russian script, this expression is written as, У тебя очаровательная улыбка
- Pronounce this expression as, oo tyeh-byah ah-cheh-rah-vah-tyayl-nyah oo-leep-kah.
- A direct translation would be, “You have a charming smile.”
5
Tell your special someone, "Ty - luchshe vsekh na svete." This is yet another compliment that can be used for men and women alike.
- In Russian script, this expression is written as, Ты - лучше всех на свете
- Pronounce this expression as, tye lootsheh fsyeh nah svyeh-tyeh.
- Translated directly, this expression means, “You are better than anyone else in the world.”

Community Q&A

Question

I thought "guten tag" meant "I love you". What does it mean?

Community Answer

"Guten tag" is German and translates to "good day". You use it as a formal hello (e.g., to a stranger or a teacher).