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French Love Phrases

French has a well-known reputation as a romantic language, and a specific set of phrases that back it up. Below are the most common ones, with their literal meaning and how formal or casual each one is.

132 entries shown

A

  • À la vie, à l'amourÀ la vie, à l'amourA la vie, a l'amour

    To life, to love. Literal: To the life, to the love. (Poetic toast or declaration)

  • Amour de ma jeunesseAmour de ma jeunesse

    Childhood sweetheart. Literal: Love of my youth. (Nostalgic, romantic)

  • Amour de ma vieAmour de ma vie

    Love of my life. Literal: Love of my life. (Deeply romantic)

  • Amour fouAmour fou

    Crazy love. Literal: Crazy love. (Passionate, intense romance)

  • AmouretteAmourette

    Fling / brief romance. Literal: Little love. (Casual, lighthearted)

  • Avoir le béguinAvoir le béguinAvoir le beguin

    To have a crush. Literal: To have the crush. (Slightly old-fashioned, casual)

  • Avoir un cœur d'artichautAvoir un cœur d'artichautAvoir un coeur d'artichaut

    To fall in love easily. Literal: To have an artichoke heart. (Idiomatic, slightly teasing)

B

  • BaiserBaiser

    Kiss. Literal: Kiss. (Standard noun, note: as a verb it is vulgar)

  • BisouBisou

    Kiss. Literal: Kiss. (Casual, very common)

C

  • CâlinCâlinCalin

    Hug / Cuddle. Literal: Cuddle. (Casual, very common)

  • Coup de foudreCoup de foudre

    Love at first sight. Literal: Bolt of lightning. (Standard expression)

D

  • Déclaration d'amourDéclaration d'amourDeclaration d'amour

    Declaration of love. Literal: Declaration of love. (Standard noun)

F

  • Faire des câlinsFaire des câlinsFaire des calins

    To cuddle. Literal: To make some cuddles. (Casual, affectionate)

  • Faire la courFaire la cour

    To woo/court. Literal: To make the court. (Old-fashioned, romantic)

  • FiançaillesFiançaillesFiancailles

    Engagement. Literal: Engagements. (Standard noun)

  • Filer le parfait amourFiler le parfait amour

    To be in perfect love. Literal: To spin the perfect love. (Idiomatic, describes a happy couple)

G

  • Gros bisousGros bisous

    Big kisses. Literal: Fat kisses. (Casual sign-off)

J

  • J'ai le mal de toiJ'ai le mal de toi

    I'm aching for you. Literal: I have the ache of you. (Poetic, longing)

  • Je brûle d'amour pour toiJe brûle d'amour pour toiJe brule d'amour pour toi

    I burn with love for you. Literal: I burn of love for you. (Very poetic, dramatic)

  • Je frissonne quand tu me touchesJe frissonne quand tu me touches

    I shiver when you touch me. Literal: I shiver when you touch me. (Sensual)

  • Je n'ai d'yeux que pour toiJe n'ai d'yeux que pour toi

    I only have eyes for you. Literal: I have eyes only for you. (Romantic, reassuring)

  • Je ne peux pas vivre sans toiJe ne peux pas vivre sans toi

    I can't live without you. Literal: I cannot live without you. (Dramatic, deeply romantic)

  • Je suis à toiJe suis à toiJe suis a toi

    I am yours. Literal: I am to you. (Romantic, submissive/committed)

  • Je suis amoureuse de toiJe suis amoureuse de toi

    I am in love with you (female speaker). Literal: I am in love of you. (Standard)

  • Je suis amoureux de toiJe suis amoureux de toi

    I am in love with you (male speaker). Literal: I am in love of you. (Standard)

  • Je suis captivé par toiJe suis captivé par toiJe suis captive par toi

    I am captivated by you. Literal: I am captivated by you. (Flattering, expressing deep interest)

  • Je suis épris de toiJe suis épris de toiJe suis epris de toi

    I am smitten with you. Literal: I am smitten of you. (Slightly formal, deeply sincere)

  • Je suis folle de toiJe suis folle de toi

    I am crazy about you (female speaker). Literal: I am crazy of you. (Passionate)

  • Je suis fou de toiJe suis fou de toi

    I am crazy about you (male speaker). Literal: I am crazy of you. (Passionate)

  • Je t'adoreJe t'adore

    I adore you. Literal: I adore you. (Casual romantic or strong friendship)

  • Je t'ai dans la peauJe t'ai dans la peau

    I've got you under my skin. Literal: I have you in the skin. (Intensely passionate, sensual)

  • Je t'ai dans le cœurJe t'ai dans le cœurJe t'ai dans le coeur

    I hold you in my heart. Literal: I have you in the heart. (Sweet, sincere)

  • Je t'aimeJe t'aime

    I love you. Literal: I love you. (Standard, universally used)

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  • Je t'aime à en mourirJe t'aime à en mourirJe t'aime a en mourir

    I love you to death. Literal: I love you to die of it. (Intense, passionate)

  • Je t'aime à la folieJe t'aime à la folieJe t'aime a la folie

    I love you madly. Literal: I love you to madness. (Passionate, intense)

  • Je t'aime de tout mon cœurJe t'aime de tout mon cœurJe t'aime de tout mon coeur

    I love you with all my heart. Literal: I love you from all my heart. (Deeply sincere)

  • Je t'aime plus que toutJe t'aime plus que tout

    I love you more than anything. Literal: I love you more than all. (Intense, common)

  • Je t'aime pour l'éternitéJe t'aime pour l'éternitéJe t'aime pour l'eternite

    I love you for eternity. Literal: I love you for the eternity. (Epic, vows)

  • Je t'envoie des bisousJe t'envoie des bisous

    Sending you kisses. Literal: I send you some kisses. (Affectionate message)

  • Je te désireJe te désireJe te desire

    I want you / I desire you. Literal: I desire you. (Sensual, intimate)

  • Je veux passer ma vie avec toiJe veux passer ma vie avec toi

    I want to spend my life with you. Literal: I want to pass my life with you. (Serious declaration)

L

  • L'élu de mon cœurL'élu de mon cœurL'elu de mon coeur

    The chosen one of my heart. Literal: The elected of my heart. (Poetic, old-fashioned)

  • Lettre d'amourLettre d'amour

    Love letter. Literal: Letter of love. (Standard phrase)

  • Lune de mielLune de miel

    Honeymoon. Literal: Moon of honey. (Standard noun)

M

  • Ma belleMa belle

    My beautiful. Literal: My beautiful. (Casual, very common)

  • Ma bicheMa biche

    My darling. Literal: My doe. (Slightly old-fashioned, affectionate for females)

  • Ma biquetteMa biquette

    My little goat. Literal: My little goat. (Playful, highly informal)

  • Ma chérieMa chérie

    My darling (female). Literal: My cherished. (Casual and affectionate)

  • Ma colombeMa colombe

    My dove. Literal: My dove. (Sweet, poetic, slightly old-fashioned)

  • Ma déesseMa déesseMa deesse

    My goddess. Literal: My goddess. (Passionate, highly complimentary)

  • Ma douceMa douce

    My sweet. Literal: My sweet. (Gentle, affectionate for females)

  • Ma féeMa féeMa fee

    My fairy. Literal: My fairy. (Sweet, magical compliment for a female)

  • Ma femmeMa femme

    My wife/woman. Literal: My woman. (Standard, affectionate)

  • Ma joie de vivreMa joie de vivre

    My joy of living. Literal: My joy of living. (Uplifting, expresses profound happiness)

  • Ma maîtresseMa maîtresseMa maitresse

    My lover (female). Literal: My mistress. (Formal, implies an affair)

  • Ma moitiéMa moitiéMa moitie

    My other half. Literal: My half. (Romantic, indicates serious commitment)

  • Ma perleMa perle

    My pearl. Literal: My pearl. (Indicates someone is precious and rare)

  • Ma princesseMa princesse

    My princess. Literal: My princess. (Affectionate, slightly cheesy)

  • Ma puceMa puce

    My sweetie. Literal: My flea. (Casual, highly common for females/kids)

  • Ma raison de vivreMa raison de vivre

    My reason for living. Literal: My reason to live. (Intensely dramatic)

  • Ma reineMa reine

    My queen. Literal: My queen. (Passionate, modern usage)

  • Mon amantMon amant

    My lover (male). Literal: My lover. (Formal, usually implies an affair in modern French)

  • Mon âme sœurMon âme sœurMon ame soeur

    My soulmate. Literal: My sister soul. (Deeply romantic, serious)

  • Mon amourMon amour

    My love. Literal: My love. (Affectionate, very common)

  • Mon amour de toujoursMon amour de toujours

    My forever love. Literal: My love of always. (Nostalgic, long-term romantic commitment)

  • Mon amour éternelMon amour éternelMon amour eternel

    My eternal love. Literal: My eternal love. (Highly romantic, poetic)

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  • Mon amour infiniMon amour infini

    My endless love. Literal: My infinite love. (Epic, serious declaration)

  • Mon angeMon ange

    My angel. Literal: My angel. (Sweet, romantic)

  • Mon beauMon beau

    My handsome. Literal: My beautiful. (Casual, affectionate)

  • Mon bébéMon bébéMon bebe

    My baby. Literal: My baby. (Casual, modern terms of endearment)

  • Mon bel amourMon bel amour

    My beautiful love. Literal: My beautiful love. (Poetic, highly affectionate)

  • Mon bijouMon bijou

    My jewel. Literal: My jewel. (Affectionate, precious)

  • Mon canardMon canard

    My duck. Literal: My duck. (Casual, somewhat old-fashioned)

  • Mon chatonMon chaton

    My kitten. Literal: My kitten. (Cute, playful)

  • Mon chériMon chéri

    My darling (male). Literal: My cherished. (Casual and affectionate)

  • Mon chéri-chocoMon chéri-chocoMon cheri-choco

    My chocolate darling. Literal: My darling-choco. (Playful, informal)

  • Mon chouMon chou

    My sweetheart. Literal: My cabbage/cream puff. (Casual, cute)

  • Mon cœurMon cœurMon coeur

    My heart. Literal: My heart. (Affectionate, common)

  • Mon cœur bat pour toiMon cœur bat pour toiMon coeur bat pour toi

    My heart beats for you. Literal: My heart beats for you. (Passionate, sincere declaration)

  • Mon confidentMon confident

    My confidant. Literal: My confidant. (Shows trust, deep bond)

  • Mon doudouMon doudou

    My cuddly. Literal: My blankie/cuddly toy. (Very informal, cute)

  • Mon douxMon doux

    My sweet. Literal: My sweet. (Gentle, affectionate for males)

  • Mon étoileMon étoileMon etoile

    My star. Literal: My star. (Poetic, sweet)

  • Mon hérosMon hérosMon heros

    My hero. Literal: My hero. (Affectionate, expresses admiration)

  • Mon hommeMon homme

    My man. Literal: My man. (Casual, possessive in a good way)

  • Mon lapinMon lapin

    My rabbit. Literal: My rabbit. (Playful, endearing)

  • Mon loupMon loup

    My love. Literal: My wolf. (Casual, affectionate for males)

  • Mon lutinMon lutin

    My elf/imp. Literal: My elf. (Playful, endearing for a mischievous partner)

  • Mon minouMon minou

    My kitty. Literal: My kitty. (Cute, affectionate for a partner)

  • Mon petit chouMon petit chou

    My little cabbage. Literal: My little cabbage. (Very common cute nickname)

  • Mon poussinMon poussin

    My chick. Literal: My baby chick. (Endearing, common for kids and partners)

  • Mon prince charmantMon prince charmant

    My Prince Charming. Literal: My charming prince. (Romantic, fairy-tale context)

  • Mon rayon de soleilMon rayon de soleil

    My sunshine. Literal: My ray of sun. (Sweet, uplifting)

  • Mon rocMon roc

    My rock. Literal: My rock. (Indicates stability and trust)

  • Mon roiMon roi

    My king. Literal: My king. (Passionate, modern usage)

  • Mon soleilMon soleil

    My sun. Literal: My sun. (Warm, uplifting term of endearment)

  • Mon sucreMon sucre

    My sugar. Literal: My sugar. (Casual, sweet term of endearment)

  • Mon sucre d'orgeMon sucre d'orge

    My sweetie. Literal: My barley sugar/candy cane. (Cute, playful)

  • Mon trésorMon trésor

    My treasure. Literal: My treasure. (Affectionate, used for partners and kids)

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  • Mots d'amourMots d'amour

    Words of love. Literal: Words of love. (Standard phrase)

P

  • Passer la bague au doigtPasser la bague au doigt

    To tie the knot / get married. Literal: To pass the ring on the finger. (Idiomatic, colloquial)

  • Pour toujoursPour toujours

    Forever. Literal: For always. (Romantic, universal)

  • Prends-moi dans tes brasPrends-moi dans tes bras

    Hold me. Literal: Take me in your arms. (Romantic, intimate)

S

  • S'embrasserS'embrasser

    To kiss each other. Literal: To kiss each other. (Standard verb)

  • Sans toi, je ne suis rienSans toi, je ne suis rien

    Without you, I am nothing. Literal: Without you, I am nothing. (Dramatic, poetic)

  • Serre-moi fortSerre-moi fort

    Hold me tight. Literal: Squeeze me strongly. (Romantic, intimate)

T

  • Tendre amourTendre amour

    Tender love. Literal: Tender love. (Poetic, soft)

  • Tomber amoureuseTomber amoureuse

    To fall in love (female). Literal: To fall in love. (Standard)

  • Tomber amoureuxTomber amoureux

    To fall in love (male). Literal: To fall in love. (Standard)

  • Ton sourire me fait fondreTon sourire me fait fondre

    Your smile makes me melt. Literal: Your smile makes me melt. (Sweet, flattering observation)

  • Tu as de beaux yeuxTu as de beaux yeux

    You have beautiful eyes. Literal: You have some beautiful eyes. (Classic compliment)

  • Tu es à moiTu es à moiTu es a moi

    You are mine. Literal: You are to me. (Romantic, possessive)

  • Tu es irrésistibleTu es irrésistibleTu es irresistible

    You are irresistible. Literal: You are irresistible. (Sensual, highly flattering)

  • Tu es l'amour de ma vieTu es l'amour de ma vie

    You are the love of my life. Literal: You are the love of my life. (Very romantic, formal/serious)

  • Tu es la lumière de ma vieTu es la lumière de ma vieTu es la lumiere de ma vie

    You are the light of my life. Literal: You are the light of my life. (Poetic, deeply romantic)

  • Tu es ma passionTu es ma passion

    You are my passion. Literal: You are my passion. (Intense, fiery declaration)

  • Tu es magnifiqueTu es magnifique

    You are magnificent. Literal: You are magnificent. (Strong compliment)

  • Tu es mon destinTu es mon destin

    You are my destiny. Literal: You are my destiny. (Fateful, deeply romantic)

  • Tu es mon oxygèneTu es mon oxygèneTu es mon oxygene

    You are my oxygen. Literal: You are my oxygen. (Dramatic, expresses necessity)

  • Tu es mon paradisTu es mon paradis

    You are my paradise. Literal: You are my paradise. (Passionate, poetic compliment)

  • Tu es mon rêve devenu réalitéTu es mon rêve devenu réalitéTu es mon reve devenu realite

    You are my dream come true. Literal: You are my dream become reality. (Very romantic, slightly cliché)

  • Tu es ravissanteTu es ravissante

    You are ravishing/gorgeous. Literal: You are ravishing. (Slightly formal, flattering)

  • Tu es tout pour moiTu es tout pour moi

    You mean everything to me. Literal: You are everything for me. (Passionate declaration)

  • Tu fais battre mon cœurTu fais battre mon cœurTu fais battre mon coeur

    You make my heart beat. Literal: You make to beat my heart. (Romantic)

  • Tu m'envoûtesTu m'envoûtesTu m'envoutes

    You bewitch me. Literal: You bewitch me. (Passionate, romantic)

  • Tu me fais tourner la têteTu me fais tourner la têteTu me fais tourner la tete

    You make my head spin. Literal: You make me turn the head. (Expresses infatuation)

  • Tu me manquesTu me manques

    I miss you. Literal: You are missing to me. (Standard, emotional)

  • Tu me rends heureuseTu me rends heureuse

    You make me happy (female speaker). Literal: You render me happy. (Sincere)

  • Tu me rends heureuxTu me rends heureux

    You make me happy (male speaker). Literal: You render me happy. (Sincere)

U

  • Un amour de vacancesUn amour de vacances

    A summer/holiday romance. Literal: A love of vacations. (Casual, context-specific)

V

  • Veux-tu m'épouser ?Veux-tu m'épouser ?Veux-tu m'epouser ?

    Will you marry me? Literal: Want you to marry me? (Formal/standard proposal)

  • Viens m'embrasserViens m'embrasser

    Come kiss me. Literal: Come to kiss me. (Intimate, inviting command)

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