Ways to say I love you in different Philippine languages

With over 170 languages spoken in the Philippines, every day is an opportunity to tell (or show) someone you love them.

Since Valentine’s Day is coming up, I thought I would create some artwork to help fend off the bad vibes news has been excreting on TV and in my social media feeds.

From time to time, I forget that despite our differences all over the globe, we are much more similar than we think. In the midst of politics, education gaps, and economic divides, some of us somehow manage to stay sane for the most part. I myself have been lucky to be with family for the past few weeks, adjusting to being around people on a daily basis. I realize that despite my incessant need to work alone and be “left in peace”, I still needed people around me once in a while. I began to open my mind to it and “let the love in.”

I had an idea for one poster to display different ways to say “I love you” in different languages in the Philippines. I fell into the trap of thinking about romantic love until my wife pitched the Tagalog words “kain na” for “let’s eat” as being something I could add. I forgot that all over the world, people invite others in to share caloric intake because they don’t want to be alone. Or simply because it’s a habit they know too well, or it’s all they’ve been taught. Or maybe it’s just the way it should be.

I ended up making two types of posters, one that’s all text and features different phrases and expressions of affection. And another with a bunch of Valentine’s Day heart candies with the same phrases on them.

Art inspired by heart candies. I thought it was appropriate to add “I love you” in Filipino Sign Language, especially since not only is it an actual language, it is also one of the official languages of the Philippines next to English and Filipino.

I guess I tapped into my previous life as a kid growing up in the US. We were forced to write Valentine’s Day cards and give each other these small, heart-shaped, pastel-colored candies I never liked to eat. Mainly because I knew they were held by my fellow 7-year-old compatriots coming in with their hands dirty from recess. But also because I didn’t know what “love” was supposed to be back then.

Today I understand that love can be shown on these candies or on Valentine’s Day cards, but it can also be shown by inviting someone over for merienda or coffee. It can be shown by not saying a thing and listening attentively to someone going through a difficult time. Even a slight nod or a friendly smile while walking down the street in the province is a sign of love.

I ended up leaning on the romantic side for one poster with the different languages, mainly because the internet is full of “how to say I love you” in any given language these days. Since I know a little Tagalog and even more Bisaya, I have a few more phrases in those languages than anything else.

Ways to say “I love you” in different Philippine languages

I attempted to double-verify these phrases by actual speakers who were posting them publicly on Facebook. I didn’t ask them, I stalked them. With love naman!

• Mahal kita (I love you in Tagalog)

• Nahigugma ko nimo (I love you in Bisaya)

• Ay-ayaten ka (I love you in Ilokano)

• Palangga ko ikaw (I care for you in Hiligaynon)

• Higugmaon ko ikaw (I love you in Waray)

• Kaluguran daka (I love you in Kapampangan)

• Inaro taka (I love you in Pangasinanse)

• Namumutan taka (I love you in Bicolano)

• Kalasahan takaw (I love you in Tausug)

• Kalinyan ko seka (I like you in Maguindanao)

• Ta ama yo kuntigo (I love you in Chabacano)

• The hand sign for I love you in Filipino Sign Language is a fist in front of you as if you’re knocking on a door, but with your pinky, pointer, and thumb sticking out.

You can get an artprint of this on my InPrnt shop here, or a DIY printable on my Etsy shop here.

Ways to say “I love you” in Bisaya

The only words I’ve used here have been “Dayon!” And “Kaon ta!” More often the latter. Bisaya is such a broad term for languages spoken from Panay to Mindanao, so this list likely has a few spoken all-throughout.

• Nahigugma ko nimo (I love you)

• Kaon ta! (Let’s eat!)

• Ikaw lang gyud (Only you)

• Kauban ta kanunay (With you always)

• Dayon! (Welcome/come in!)

• Gimingaw ko nimo (I miss you)

• Guapo/a kaayo ka (You are very beautiful)

• Ganahan ko nimo (I like you)

• Di ko makalimot nimo (I won’t forget you)

• Palangga ko ikaw (I care for you)

• Gihigugma taka (I love you)

• Pinangga kaayo tika (I care for you so much)

You can get an artprint of this on my InPrnt shop here, or a DIY printable on my Etsy shop here.

Ways to say “I love you” in Tagalog

I don’t think “giddy” totally encompasses “kilig”, but it’s succinct enough. Attempting to add a full explanation of what kilig is was not an option here :(.

• Wag kang mag-alala (Don’t worry)

• Mahal kita (I love you)

• Andito lang ako (I’m here for you)

• Kain na (Let’s eat)

• Kinikilig ako sa’yo (You make me giddy)

• Gusto kita (I like you)

• Aking sinta (My beloved)

• Mahal ko (My love)

• Tutulungan kita (I will help you)

• Miss na kita (I miss you)

• Kailangan kita (I need you)

You can get an artprint of this on my InPrnt shop here, or a DIY printable on my Etsy shop here.

Personalize your own “heart candies” in your own language

If you like this particular design featuring the “heart candies” you can go the extra mile (or kilometer) and make your own. You can get it in either Tagalog or Bisaya and update the text to whatever you wish.

• Tagalog/Filipino “heart candies” you can edit with Canva

• Bisaya/Cebuano “heart candies” you can edit with Canva

• “Heart candies” in different Philippine languages you can edit with Canva

What about you? How will you show love to another person this week? How will you show love to yourself? Give love or self-love… give love a chance, even if it’s just for a day.