ngo5 oi3 nei5我愛你我爱你
Jyutpingngo5 oi3 nei5
Yalengóh oi néih
Definition
I love you.
colloquialemotionpeople
How it's used
Expressing romantic feelings directly using this phrase is often considered quite heavy or formal in daily Cantonese life. Many locals prefer to show affection through actions or by using phrases like 我好鍾意你, which carries a slightly softer and more natural tone for most relationships. It is frequently heard in movies or songs, but in real-life dating, it is usually reserved for very serious or significant moments.
Examples
He told me 'I love you', it was really awkward.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often overuse this phrase because it is the direct translation of 'I love you', but it can sound overly dramatic or like a line from a television drama if used too early in a relationship.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
