Filipinos are not so expressive when it comes to saying I love you. You can rarely hear them saying I love you, but it is meant from the heart when they do so. Filipinos may not be vocal in saying I love you, especially the elderly; they certainly express their love in many ways. Most elderly Filipinos express their love by supporting you, cheering for you, congratulating, or cooking your favorite meal. They don’t speak it by words but by action.
“I love you” in Tagalog is “Mahal kita”. However, in saying so, there are some other variations depending on whom you are talking to. The oldest and rarely spoken way of saying I love you in Tagalog is “Iniirog Kita” or “Sinisinta Kita.” I love you also has a formal and informal way of saying it to someone.
If you have a Filipino or a Filipina partner, you should know how to say I love you in the Filipino language. That would mean to them, as it sounds special if it is expressed using their native language. Since the widely used language in the Philippines is Tagalog, I have listed more information on the ways of telling a person “I love you” in the Filipino language.
Mahal Kita
Mahal Kita is the direct translation of I love you. You can often hear this said by couples. You can always hear these lines spoken by actors and actresses in many movies when doing a romantic film.
This way of saying I love you is a casual way of expressing your feelings. You can also say these words to your friend, parents, or someone close to you but only at rare times.
Halimbawa
Anna: Mahal kita, John
John: Mahal din kita, Anna
Example
Anna: I love you, John.
John, I love you too, Anna.
Iniibig Kita
“Iniibig kita” is somewhat the obsolete way of saying I love you in the Philippines. These words are slightly dramatic and are spoken mainly by older people. In some old novels and old movies, you can encounter “Iniibig kita.” This way of saying ” I love you” is also considered the formal way of saying it.
Halimbawa
Maria: Iniibig kita Roberto.
Roberto: Iniibig din kita, Maria.
Example
Marie: I love you, Robert.
Robert: I love you too, Marie.
Iniiirog Kita
Iniirog kita is also an old-fashioned way of saying I love you. You can merely encounter these lines in old films and books. Nowadays, it is rarely used by lovers to express their love.
Halimbawa
Maria: Iniirog kita Roberto.
Roberto: Iniirog din kita, Maria.
Example
Marie: I love you, Robert.
Robert: I love you too, Marie.
Sinisinta Kita
Sinisinta kita is an old term for saying I love you. Nowadays, you can rarely hear lovers saying this. Though this expression is rarely used today, this is a formal way of saying I love you. You can read these lines in some old books or novels.
Halimbawa
Maria: Sinisinta kita Roberto.
Roberto: Sinisinta din kita, Maria.
Example
Marie: I love you, Robert.
Robert: I love you too, Marie.
Lab Kita!
Saying Lab kita to a person is an informal way of saying I love you. It can be translated into English as Luv ya! You can encounter this in chats and text messages. Lab kita is a Taglish way of saying I love you. These words are commonly spoken to pears, a partner, or even family members.
Halimbawa
Anak: Nay! pasensya na nabasag ko ang paborito mong plorera.
Nanay: Naku! nasaktan ka ba? Okay lang anak lab kita kahit makulit ka.
Example
Child: Mom! I’m sorry, I broke your favorite vase.
Mom: Oh no! Are you alright? It’s okay. I still love you though you are so naughty.
Mahal Na Mahal Kita
Mahal na mahal kita means I love you so much. Mahal na mahal kita is a strong expression of admiration and love for someone. You can often hear this from a parent telling their child and a lover.
Halimbawa
Nanay: Mahal na mahal kita anak.
Anak: mahal na mahal di kita nay.
Example
Mom: I love you so much, dear child.
Child: I love you so much too, mom.
Minahal Kita
“Minahal kita” means I loved you or I have loved you. These words are the common lines of the couple who broke up or nearly broke up.
Halimbawa
Babae: Mahal mo paba ako?
Lalaki: Minahal kita kaso ayoko na. Maghiwalay na tayo.
Example
Girl: Do you still love me?
Boy: I loved you, but now I don’t. Let’s break up.
Hindi Kita Mahal
Hindi kita mahal means I don’t love you. These words are words of rejection from someone that you have said I love you to.
Halimbawa
Babae: Mahal kita.
Lalake: Pasensya na pero hindi kita mahal.
Example
Girl: I love you.
Boy: I’m sorry, but I don’t love you.
Mahal Kita Talaga
Mahal kita talaga means I really love you. These words are affirmations that mean that you love the person.
Halimbawa
Babae: Mahal mo ba ako:
Lalake: Huo, mahal kita talaga.
Example
Girl: Do you love me?
Boy: Yes, I really love you.
Ways of Saying I Love You in Filipino Dialects
| Dialect | Translation |
| English | I love you |
| Tagalog | Mahal kita |
| Cebuano | Guhigugma tika |
| Bikolano | Namumutan taka |
| Hiligaynon | Palangga taka.Gihigugma ko ikaw. |
| Chavacano | Ta ama yo contigo |
| Cuyunon | Ing gegegman ta kaw |
| Kinaray-a | Ginahigugma ta ikaw |
| Ibanag | Iddu takaAy-ayatat taka |
| Ilokano | Ay-ayaten ka |
| Itawis | Ay-ayatan takaId-iddutan taka |
| Gaddang | Kanggaman ku ikka.Anggamman ta ka. |
| Kapampangan | Kaluguran daka |
| Tausug | Kalasahan ta kaw. |
| Masbatenyo | Palangga ta ikaw |
| Pangasinan | Inad-aro ta kayo |
| Romblomanon | Palangga ta gid ikaw. |
| Zambal | Anlabyon cata |
| Surigaonon | Taghigugma ta kaw |
| Waray | Gihigugma ko ikaw.Gingigugma ko ikaw.Pina-ura ta ikaw. |
| Maguindanao | Kalinia ko seka |
| Batanes | Ichaddao ku. |
| Yakan | Malasa ku si kau |
Takeaways
Filipinos have their ways of saying I love you in Tagalog. Since the country has so many dialects, each dialect also says I love you. Saying I love you in Tagalog can be done in various ways; it depends on the person you want to tell.
Though Filipinos may rarely say I love you, that is meant dearly coming from the heart when they say so.