Sono innamorato/a di te.

I am in love with you.

Pronunciation

SO-no in-na-mo-RA-to di te — stress on 'so-' and 'ra-'. 'Innamorato' has five syllables: in-na-mo-RA-to.

When to use it

Declaring a state of being in love — more specific than 'ti amo', which is the act of loving. Both are powerful but subtly different.

What it means

'Sono innamorato/a di te' = I am in love with you. 'Innamorato' is the past participle of 'innamorarsi' (to fall in love) used as an adjective. It describes a state — you are currently in the state of being in love. This can precede 'ti amo' in the progression of a relationship.

Variations

Mi sono innamorato/a di te.

I have fallen in love with you.

Passato prossimo — the falling happened at a point in time (and you are still there)

Non posso fare a meno di te.

I can't do without you.

Expresses the dependency that comes with being in love

L'amore che provo per te è reale.

The love I feel for you is real.

Affirms the reality of the feeling — no doubt, no uncertainty

Mini Dialogue

— Devo dirtelo — sono innamorato/a di te. — Da quanto? — Da un po'. Non avevo trovato il coraggio di dirtelo. — Sono contento/a che tu l'abbia trovato. — Anche tu provi qualcosa? — Sì. Molto.

— I have to tell you — I am in love with you. — For how long? — For a while. I hadn't found the courage to tell you. — I'm glad you found it. — Do you feel something too? — Yes. A lot.

Cultural Note

The Italian language distinguishes beautifully between 'essere innamorato' (being in love — the state) and 'amare' (to love — the ongoing act). Being 'innamorato' has a quality of immediacy and wonder — it is love in its fresh, overwhelming early form. 'Amare' suggests depth and duration.

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Mi fido di te.

Ti cerco sempre — anche quando non ci sei.

← All phrases: Expressing Feelings