Comprehensive Guide to Love: Languages, Biblical, and Theological Perspectives

Wǒ ài nǐ

Chinese (Mandarin) phrase meaning 'I love you,' considered a serious declaration of deep emotional attachment.

Wǒ xǐ huān nǐ

Chinese (Mandarin) phrase meaning 'I like you,' used to express romantic feelings or strong affection in a less intense way.

520

A numeral in Chinese that conveys 'Wǒ ài nǐ' in text messages due to similar pronunciation.

Ik hou van jou

Dutch phrase meaning 'I love you,' most commonly used.

Ik ben verliefd op je

Dutch phrase meaning 'I am in love with you.'

Minä rakastan sinua

Finnish phrase meaning 'I love you,' often shortened in spoken language.

Je t'aime

French phrase meaning 'I love you,' typically reserved for romantic love.

Je t'aime bien

French phrase meaning 'I like you,' used to express affection without romantic implications.

Ich liebe dich

German phrase meaning 'I love you,' strictly reserved for a partner or spouse.

Aloha au ia ʻoe

Hawaiian phrase meaning 'I love you.'

Aloha nui loa

Hawaiian phrase meaning 'all my love' or 'I love you very much.'

Ti amo

Italian phrase meaning 'I love you,' used exclusively for romantic love.

Ti voglio bene

Italian phrase meaning 'I want good for you,' used to express love for family and friends.

Aishiteru

Japanese phrase meaning 'I love you,' used less frequently in serious romantic contexts.

Suki da

Japanese phrase meaning 'I like you,' often expresses strong liking or romantic interest.

Saranghae

Korean casual phrase meaning 'I love you,' commonly used among people in love, family, and friends.

Saranghaeyo

Polite Korean phrase meaning 'I love you.'

Saranghamnida

Formal Korean phrase meaning 'I love you.'

Kocham cię

Polish phrase meaning 'I love you,' the most common way to express love.

Ja cię kocham

Polish phrase that adds more emphasis to 'I love you.'

Ľúbim ťa

Slovak phrase meaning 'I love you,' used in a more naive way.

Milujem ťa

Slovak phrase meaning 'I love you,' used for serious romantic relationships.

Te quiero

Spanish phrase meaning 'I love you' or 'I care for you,' commonly used among family and friends.

Te amo

Spanish phrase meaning 'I love you,' carries a stronger emotional intensity, often reserved for romantic love.

Jag älskar dig

Swedish phrase meaning 'I love you,' typically reserved for romantic partners.

Jag är kär i dig

Swedish phrase meaning 'I am in love with you.'

Ninakupenda

Swahili phrase meaning 'I love you.'

Nakupenda

Colloquial Swahili phrase meaning 'I love you,' commonly used.

Ninakupenda sana

means 'I love you very much.'

Raya

This term signifies friendship, companionship, and soulmate connection.

Ahava

More profound than fleeting romantic feelings, Ahava is the 'love of the will.' It represents a conscious decision to commit one's life to another, characterized by deep affection, a longing to be with someone, and a strength as enduring as death.

Dod

This refers to the physical and sexual element of a relationship, understood as a spiritual, beautiful, and powerful act meant to endure forever.

Epithemia

This term denotes sexual love with a connotation of lust, ideally experienced within the context of marriage.

Eros

Designated as passionate love, Eros is a drive towards union that brings personal fulfillment.

Philia

This signifies the affectionate inclination between siblings and friends.

Storge

Meaning 'affection,' Storge describes natural affection, such as that felt by parents for their offspring.

Agape

This is a total dedication to another's welfare, regardless of personal cost or sacrifice.

Fear of the Lord

Linked with 'Love of God,' which encompassed obedience and service (Deuteronomy 6:4-9).

Law of Retaliation

Lex Talionis - Leviticus 24:18, 20, transformed to a law based on love in the New Testament.

Love your enemies

A teaching from Jesus in Matthew 6.

Greatest commandment

According to Scripture, it is the love of God and love of one's neighbor, which are inseparable (Matthew 22:37-40).

Christian love

Specifically Agape, is an act of will, not merely an emotional bond, reaching out to everyone in need.

Fruit-bearing in love

A result of our intimate participation in the life of God who is love.

Love is Patient

Refers to the quality of one who does not act on impulse and avoids giving offense.

Love is Kind

It is proactive in doing good and being of assistance, showing love through deeds rather than just words.

Saint Paul's Hymn to Love

Referenced in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 by Pope Francis in Amoris Laetitia.

Amoris Laetitia

An apostolic exhortation by Pope Francis elaborating on love in marriage.

1 Corinthians 13:13

States that the greatest of these is love, alongside faith and hope.

Love in the Gospels

Presented as a foundational principle linking love of God with obedience and service.

Transformation of Law

From the 'Law of Retaliation' to a law based on love in the New Testament.

Intimate participation

Leads to fruit-bearing in love and self-emptying service.

Love is Not Jealous

It means finding joy in another's good fortune and valuing their achievements, moving beyond self-concern.

Love is Not Boastful

It focuses on others, characterized by humility rather than seeking to be the center of attention.

Love is Not Arrogant or Rude

It is gentle, thoughtful, and avoids causing suffering, fostering positive relationships.

Love is Generous

It involves serving others unstintingly, expecting nothing in return, and can even lead to self-sacrifice.

Love is Not Irritable or Resentful

While anger can be a natural feeling, love actively avoids hatred and seeks peace, not letting the sun go down on anger.

Love Forgives

It involves overcoming resentment by seeking to understand and excuse the weaknesses of others, and also forgiving oneself.

Love Rejoices in the Right

A loving person finds happiness in the well-being of others and gives joyfully.

Love Bears All Things

This implies limiting judgment and refraining from harsh condemnation, cherishing the good name of others.

Love Believes All Things

It fosters trust, allowing for freedom, sincerity, and transparency in relationships without the need for control.

Love Hopes All Things

It maintains hope for the future, believing in the potential for others to change and mature, and seeing them from a supernatural perspective.

Love Endures All Things

This signifies a positive attitude in bearing trials and a constant readiness to confront any challenge. It is a love that never gives up, even in the darkest hour.

God Is Love

The most profound theological statement about love is found in 1 John 4:8 and 4:16: 'God is love.' This means that love is not just something God does, but who God inherently is.

The Trinity as the Embodiment of Love

The Christian doctrine of the Trinity reveals love as eternally self-giving and relational within the divine being.

Love and Imago Dei (Image of God)

Because humanity is created in the 'image of God' (Genesis 1:27), humans possess the inherent capacity to love.

Love as the Fulfillment and Sum of the Law

Jesus emphasized that love is the greatest commandment and the summation of all divine law.

Eschatological and Eternal Love

1 Corinthians 13:8 states, 'Love never ends.' This highlights the enduring and ultimate nature of love as a participation in God's eternal being.