Italian Words and Phrases: Love Phrases in Italian

There is a saying I once came across that goes: "You spit English, you gargle French, you vomit German, but you sing Italian." Though this is an obvious exaggeration, the idea of Italian as a musical and romantic language is shared by many, even the Italians themselves!

Linguistically speaking, our preference for the sound of Italian over other languages such as German most likely stems from the phonemic pattern of the Italian language. A high percentage of words in Italian are lined with and end in vowels, with the exception of imported foreign words, and some articles and prepositions. Vowels are phonemes that are clear, sonorous, and musical. This is because we produce them without restricting the air flow with our lips, teeth, tongue or throat. Consonants, on the other hand, are produced when we restrict the flow of air. They generally have a weak musical quality as they do not resonate as vowels do. As you may have already guessed, Germanic languages have a higher proportion of consonants and consonant clusters than Italian, giving them a harsh sound.

Interestingly, vowels are emphasized and lengthened when one sings. Just imagine the last opera song you listened to. The song was probably made up of "aaahs" and "ooohs" (vowels), not "chhhhs" and "brrrrs" (consonants)! This correlation between vowels and singing is probably why many people consider Italian a musical language.

A final aspect of Italian which makes it more appealing is the length of its words. While many words in English and German are short, blunt and teaming with consonants, Italian consists of many lengthy words overflowing with the aforementioned vowels. Wouldn't you rather use a mattone (ma-to-nay) to build your house than a "brick"? Doesn't eating formaggio (for-ma-joe) sound much more appealing than chowing down on some "cheese"?

For all the above reasons, coupled with the easy-going Italian lifestyle and the stereotype of smooth-talking seniores, Italian is regarded as language of love and romance.

Ti amo = I love you (To be used with your other half)

Ti voglio bene = I love you/I like you very much (To be used with family and friends)

Mi piaci = I like you

Mi piaci tanto = I really like you

Ti adoro = I adore you

Sono pazzo/a di te = I'm crazy for you

Tu sei il piu' bello/la piu' bella del mondo.
You are the most handsome/beautiful person in the world.

Facciamo le coccole!
Let's cuddle!

Mi dai un bacio?
Can I have a kiss?

Mi abbracci?
Can I have a hug?

Mi manchi tanto...
I miss you a lot...

Ho bisogno di te!
I need you!

Tu sei il mio bello/la mia bella
You are my handsome/beautiful one.

Sei la luce dei miei occhi!
You are the light of my eyes!

Non posso immaginare vivere senza di te!
I can't imagine living without you!

Tu sei la mia vita.
You are my life.

Sei la donna piu' bella che io abbia mai visto.
You're the prettiest girl I've ever seen.

Ti amo da morire!
I love you to death!

Sei l'amore della mia vita.
You are the love of my life.

Quando ti guardo negli occhi, mi innamoro sempre di più di te.
When I look you in the eyes, my love for you grows stronger and stronger.

Siamo fatti un per l'altro.
We were made for one another.

Amore mio = My love

Tesoro = My treasure

Cucciolo/cucciola = Little one (literally: little cub)

Patatina = Little potato (Funny, I know!)

Piccolino/piccolina = Little one

Anima mia = My soul

Piccino/Piccina = Tiny one

Topolina = Little mouse (for girls)

Micino cara/Micina cara = Dear kitty

La mia principessa = My princess

If there is one thing I have noticed since being in a relationship with an Italian man, it is that Italians hardly ever call you by your given name once they are dating you.

Where I was once simply Heather, I now instinctively answer to a variety of pet names: amore, amore mio, principessa, patata, and more. And I will admit that I have conformed in turn!

As if these names weren't enough, Italians continuously add to the list. My personal favourite out of my other half's collection would have to be "Squidolina" for the hours I spend writing articles on Squidoo!

Siamo angeli con un'ala sola, solo restando abbracciati possiamo volare.

(We are angels with a single wing, we embracing one another are we able to fly.)

by Luciano De Crescenzo from I pensieri di Bellavista

"Il tuo sorriso si espande come una farfalla sul tuo volto. Il tuo riso è come una rosa, una lancia che si sfila, un'acqua che prorompe. Il tuo riso è un'onda d'argento repentina.

(Your smile spreads like a butterfly across your face. Your laugh is like a rose, ---, water that gushes. Your laugh is a sudden silvery wave.)

Mario Ruoppolo in Il Postino

Un bacione = a big kiss

Un bacione grosso = a big (wet, juicy) kiss

Un abbraccio = a hug

Un abbraccio forte = a big bear hug

Ti penso! = Thinking of you!

Cara Juliet,

Non e' giusto che le nostre famiglie non ci facciano stare insieme. Per me sei tutto, e senza di te la mia vita non ha nessun senso. Cerchero' in qualsiasi modo di convincere la mia famiglia che noi due siamo fatti l'uno per l'altro. Ti amo con tutto il mio cuore e non vedo l'ora di rivederti.

Un bacione grosso dal tuo amore, Romeo

Dearest Juliet,

It isn't fair that our families will not let us be together. You are everything to me, and without you my life doesn't make sense. I will try in every way possible to convince my family that we are meant for one another. I love you with all my heart and I cannot wait to see you.

A big kiss from your love, Romeo