Chinese phrases
How to say my love in Chinese
My love in Chinese is 亲爱的 (qīn ài de), “darling.” Chinese couples don’t say “my love” word for word: they use pet names such as 宝贝 (bǎo bèi) and 宝宝 (bǎo bao).
亲爱的
darling; my dear
Ways to say my love
亲爱的
Everydaydarling; my dear
Between partners, in speech and in messages. Close female friends say it to each other too.
宝贝
Everydaybaby; treasure
Between partners, and from parents to a child of any age.
宝宝
Everydaybaby
Very common between young couples, face to face and in chats.
宝
Textingbabe
Short for 宝贝 or 宝宝. Young couples and close friends use it in messages.
老婆
Everydaywife; (to a girlfriend) babe
Husbands say it to their wife, and many boyfriends say it to their girlfriend.
老公
Everydayhusband; (to a boyfriend) babe
Wives say it to their husband, and many girlfriends say it to their boyfriend.
Common mistakes
Translating “my love” word for word
我的爱 sounds like a line from a love song. To call your partner something sweet, use 亲爱的 or 宝贝.
Reading 亲 from an online shop as affection
Customer service on shopping apps often starts with 亲, “dear.” It’s a friendly sales habit, not a pet name.
Thinking 亲爱的 is always romantic
Female friends call each other 亲爱的, and speeches start with lines like 亲爱的同学们, “dear students.” Only between partners is it a pet name.
Messages after work
亲爱的，你下班了吗？
Girlfriend: Darling, have you finished work?
刚下班，马上回家。
Boyfriend: Just finished. I’ll be home soon.
好，路上小心！
Girlfriend: OK, get home safe!
好的，宝贝。
Boyfriend: Will do, babe.
