Love phrases and romantic words in Italian

One of our readers asked us if we could elaborate on the subject of romance. As Italian is considered by many the language of love, there is a wide spectrum of words and phrases you could use to say something nice to your loved one.

I'm going to sort these sentences in "increasing order of love", so that you can avoid the risk to scare your first date with some impressive claim in Italian.

Mi piaci - I like you
This is a non-committing assertion. Over time you could raise it a little by saying: Mi piaci tanto - I like you a lot.

Ti aspetto - I'll be waiting for you
Some variances of this phrase: Aspetto la tua chiamata - I'll be waiting for you call; As we live in the Internet age: Aspetto il tuo email - I'll be waiting for your email.

Non vedo l'ora di vederti - I look forward to see you
You can use this sentence for regular friends too. Or you can add this after Mi piaci or Ti aspetto.

Mi manchi - I miss you
A stronger variance: Mi manchi tanto - I miss you a lot

Ti mando un bacio - I'm sending you a kiss
Nice closing for an email or phone communication. Not to be said in person, as at that point, you can just kiss your loved one.

Ti voglio bene - I care for you
There is no precise translation in English for it. You could use it with a friend to express friendship love, or with somebody you love but you are not ready yet for the more intimate declaration I love you. Wildely used in Italy, it can be abbreviated in text messages as TVB.

Mi sto innamorando di te - I'm falling in love with you
Another variance is Mi sono innamorato di te (said by a male) or Mi sono innamorata di te (said by a female) and they both mean I (already) fell in love with you.

Ti amo - I love you
This is the intimate and romantic expression of love. You'll not use it with a relative or friend. In that case it's more appropriate: Ti voglio bene.

Vorrei fare l'amore con te - I'd like to make love with you
Enough said, this is action time!

Do you want to share your Italian love story? Use the comments below.
And if you are unsure how to pronounce some of these phrases, you can always use your iPod to deliver your message of love.

Vi voglio bene!!

Romance in Italy: your iPod can help!

Picture this scenario: Jennifer is a pretty American woman traveling solo in Italy. She stops at a nice restaurant in Florence for dinner, and is promptly approached by Mario, an Italian man who doesn't speak a word of English. Despite Mario's various attempts to communicate, it's clear that Jennifer is not interested in him.

With class, she takes out her iPod, and after a few wheel clicks, she shows Mario one of the iTalian iCards.
Mario is disappointed, but with a gentleman's smile, he goes back to his table.


After an hour, Giuseppe comes to the same restaurant. He is Mario's friend, just much nicer looking, yet not much English skills.

Giuseppe sees Jennifer alone at her table and approaches her for a drink.
This time Jennifer takes her iPod, and picks a different iTalian iCard.

Success!

iTalian iCards are a series of translated phrases converted into digital images. Once loaded on your iPod, they can be shown to other people to make yourself understood. No need to say a word, just smile and show the screen of your iPod.

This series is about Relationships and contains the following phrases and related Italian translations:

- What's your name?
- My name is <…>
- I come from <...>
- Sorry, I can't speak Italian
- Sorry, but I've to leave soon
- Please, leave me alone
- Sorry, but you are not my type
- You are really a nice person
- When can I see you again?
- What's your phone number?
- Can I invite a (male) friend?
- Can I invite a (female) friend?
- I love you
- I like you very much
- Let's do something crazy?
- Let's make love

Installation instructions
- Download the iCards-Relationship.exe file onto your desktop (EXE - 600K )
- Run the self-extracting file and browse to your My Documents > My Pictures folder. Then press Unzip. The folder iCards - Relationships will be created
- Connect your iPod, launch iTunes, and click the name of your iPod under Devices
- Then go to the Photos tab and make sure to include your new iCards - Relationships folder (17 photos) among the photo folders to synch-up with your iPod.
- Synchronize your device, disconnect it and navigate to the Photos menu of your iPod. Your iCards folder should appear as one of the items of the Photos menu
- iCards are compatible with any iPod Video, iPod Nano and Microsoft Zune. Enjoy!

How do you like the iTalian iCards concept? Please send your feedback to paolo@tosolini.com