# How to say “I love you” in Chinese

> The mildest way to say “I love you” in Chinese is 我喜欢你 (wǒ xǐ huan nǐ), “I like you”. The strongest is 我爱死你了 (wǒ ài sǐ nǐ le), “I love you to death”. Here are all 5, ranked mild to strong, with pinyin and when to use each one.

Source: https://lanlanchinese.com/how-to-say/i-love-you-in-chinese (updated 2026-10-18)

1. **我喜欢你** (wǒ xǐ huan nǐ) (strength 1/5): I like you. The classic confession.
   Heard in a real video: 我喜欢你！ "I like you!" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4IfIe2-cjk&t=295s)
2. **我爱你** (wǒ ài nǐ) (strength 2/5): I love you. Big words. Chinese couples say it less than you think.
   Heard in a real video: 我爱你。 "I love you." (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lG6AE9nC4hI&t=99s)
   Heard in a real video: 我爱你的，你什么样我都喜欢。 "I've seen every side of you. I love you, just as you are." (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDak7Issbh4&t=273s)
3. **你是我的宝贝** (nǐ shì wǒ de bǎo bèi) (strength 3/5): you're my baby. 宝贝 = treasure. Couples use it nonstop.
4. **我离不开你** (wǒ lí bu kāi nǐ) (strength 4/5): I can't live without you. Lit. I can't leave you.
5. **我爱死你了** (wǒ ài sǐ nǐ le) (strength 5/5): I love you to death. Obsessed. In a cute way.

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