These are the 5 Most Famous French Phrases About Love To Use On Valentine’s Day

When we think of love, few languages capture its essence quite like French does. From the most famous French phrases about love, such as “je t’aime” and “je t’adore,” to the lesser known ones, such as “Je te kiffe”, French is the language of love.

This Valentine’s Day, we’re unravelling the nuances between these expressions and offering you a glimpse into the art of French romance, from whispering sweet nothings or penning a love letter. So, let’s dive in.

No 1 ‘Je t’aime’ (I love you)

The simplest way to express love in French is with “je t’aime.”

For French speakers, “je t’aime” carries a significant emotional weight, leading some to avoid using it directly.

It’s a very charged phrase that can either have you running for the hills or melting into the arms of the one you love as you’ve been waiting to hear those words for a long time.

If you want to soften it a little, you can add words around this phrase, just as we would in English, although I’m not sure I’ve ever actually said any of these phrases personally.

I think in general we’re a little more flippant with our use of the word than the French.

Additions to ‘Je t’aime’

Some common extensions of “je t’aime” are “je t’aime de tout mon coeur” (with all my heart), “je t’aime de tout mon amour” (with all my love), “je t’aime du fond de mon coeur” (from the bottom of my heart), “je t’aime à la folie” (I am crazy in love with you), and “je t’aime à en mourir” (I love you so much I could die for you).

I’ve definitely never said the last one. It’s something I can imagine Cathy saying to Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights.

A well-known French children’s game uses a daisy to signify levels of love, with phrases: “un peu” (a little bit), “beaucoup” (a lot), “passionnément” (passionately), “à la folie” (madly), and “pas du tout” (not at all). The last petal predicts the speaker’s feelings, ideally not ending with “pas du tout.”

I vaguely remember doing something similar at school using the phrase, “He loves me, he loves me not”.

And in the world of texting and SMS-speak, you’ll find it shortened to “JTM”.

No 2 ‘Je t’adore’ (I adore you)

So this one really depends on the tone and situation, and is less emotionally charged than ‘je t’aime’. Plus, you can use it in the non-romantic sense as well. 

You might use it to describe how you feel about a certain food or a place.

The Difference between ‘Je t’aime’ and ‘Je t’adore’

The French don’t “je t’adore” as a replacement for “je t’aime” as they don’t carry the same weight. In English, we have the one phrase, “I love you”, and that’s it. In French, it’s a little different, and they use “je t’adore” to express liking people and things without implying a romantic interest.

“Je t’adore” aligns more with “I like” in English and conveys a significant sense of enjoyment or appreciation for an object, idea, person, or place.

When someone uses “je t’adore,” it’s not an automatic indication of romantic interest. Instead, it can be akin to expressing a heartfelt “thank you,” “thank you very much,” or “I like you very much” in various contexts.

No 3 ‘Je te kiffe’ (Slang version of je t’adore)

“Je te kiffe” is a slang phrase in French that translates to “I like you” in English, usually meaning you’re attracted towards someone. It originates from Arabic but has been widely adopted into French slang, particularly among younger generations if they’ve got a crush on someone. 

Being a girl from the 80s, the word “crush” is what we used to use to tell our mates we liked someone. It was always “crush” or “fancy”. I have no idea if people even say that anymore, but for those of a certain age, that’s essentially what “Je te kiffe” is used for.

It’s a much more casual and informal way of expressing yourself.

No 4 ‘Tu me manques’ (I miss you)

If you’re not seeing your loved one on Valentine’s Day, an appropriate phrase would be “Tu me manques”. It translates as I miss you, so nothing too groundbreaking, just like for like.

No 5 ‘T’es l’amour de ma vie’ (You’re the love of my life)

I can’t ever imagine saying this to someone in English, but the French are slightly more demonstrative than the English. We have a reputation for being reserved, especially when it comes to public displays of affection or verbalising our feelings. 

And, as we’re not living our lives in an Emily Bronte-style novel, we’re not likely to tell someone they’re the love of our life, unless, of course, it’s in marriage vows.

However, this little phrase is used in France, although I suspect only in private.

How to Say I Love You So Much in French

This phrase is a popular Google search term, so I’ve added it as a bonus phrase. If you want to say “I love you so much” in French, you say “Je t’aime tellement.”

Famous French Love Quotes

We all love a good quote, and there are plenty of great French quotes to choose from. Somehow, they sound so much more romantic in French than in English.

• Victor Hugo: “L’amour, c’est la rosée qui humecte les feuilles sans les savoir.” “Love is like the dew that falls on leaves without their knowing.”
• George Sand: “Il n’y a qu’un bonheur dans la vie, c’est d’aimer et d’être aimé.” “There is only one happiness in life: to love and be loved.”
• Honoré de Balzac: “Le vrai amour est éternel, infini, et toujours comme lui-même. Il est égal et pur, sans démonstrations violentes: il se voit avec des cheveux blancs et est toujours jeune de cœur.” “True love is eternal, infinite, and always like itself. It is equal and pure, without violent demonstrations: it is seen with white hair and is always young at heart.”
• Albert Camus: “La vraie générosité envers l’avenir consiste à tout donner au présent.” “True generosity towards the future lies in giving all to the present.”
• François de La Rochefoucauld: “Il est plus facile de désintéresser l’amour que de régler l’amitié.” “It is easier to be disinterested in love than to be fair in friendship.”
• Jean-Paul Sartre: “L’amour, c’est créer ensemble la nécessité de l’existence de l’autre, pour soi et pour les autres.” “Love is creating together the necessity of the other’s existence, for oneself and for others.”
• Marcel Proust: “Laissons les jolies femmes aux hommes sans imagination.” “Let us leave pretty women to men with no imagination.”

FAQS: Famous French Sayings About Love

Final Thoughts: Famous French Romantic Phrases to Use on Valentine’s Day

So now you know the five phrases to use with your partner on Valentine’s Day, wherever you might be, and I wish you luck.

And as France is home to the city of love, it has a rightful claim to being the most romantic place in the world.

Paris has so many lovely places to enjoy as a couple, as well as, some memorable proposal spots, and it’s one of the best places to spend Valentine’s Day. 

However, don’t forget to check out Strasbourg’s Festival of Love, held annually in the beautiful Alsace town.