On this page
Japanese romance vocabulary appears often in anime and manga. Real relationships vary, so use these expressions with attention to the person and situation.
This guide introduces expressions for affection, invitations, dates and relationships, along with a few cultural customs. No phrase guarantees a particular response.
Confessing Your Love in Japanese
告白（こくはく）, kokuhaku, means confessing one’s feelings. It can be a way to ask someone to begin a relationship, but it is not a requirement for every couple.
People of any gender may confess their feelings. 好き can express liking or romantic affection depending on context; 愛 expresses love. English “like” and “love” do not have one interchangeable Japanese equivalent. Here are common expressions:
Common Ways to Express Love/Like in Japanese
| 好きだ / 好きです | (suki da/suki desu) | I like you. |
| 大好きだ / 大好きです | (daisuki da / daisuki desu) | I like you (a lot). |
| 愛している | (aishiteiru) | I love you. |
愛している (aishite iru) expresses strong love and can sound intense in a new relationship. 好きです (suki desu) is a common way to express romantic interest. Usage varies by person and relationship.
Valentine’s Day and White Day
Valentine’s Day is February 14; White Day is March 14. They are associated with gift-giving customs in Japan, although participation and expectations vary.
A familiar Valentine’s custom is giving chocolate. 本命チョコ (honmei choko) is associated with romantic interest; 義理チョコ (giri choko) with social obligation. Friends may exchange 友チョコ (tomo choko), and some people buy chocolate for themselves. White Day is associated with return gifts. These are customs, not rules that everyone follows.
| バレンタイン | barentain | Valentine’s Day |
| チョコレート | chokorēto | chocolates |
| プレゼント | purezento | present |
| バラ | bara | rose |
| 花（はな） | hana | flowers |
| 花束（はなたば） | hanataba | bouquet |
| 手紙（てがみ） | tegami | letters |
| 彼氏（かれし） | kareshi | boyfriend |
| 彼女（かのじょ） | kanojo | girlfriend |
| 携帯番号（けいたいばんごう） | keitai bangou | cellphone number |
For example,
| バレンタインがまちどおしい！ | Barentain ga machidōshii! | I can’t wait for Valentine’s day! |
| バレンタインをいっしょに すごしてくれませんか？ | Barentain wo issho ni sugoshite kuremasen ka? | Would you spend Valentine’s Day with me? |
| かれはわたしにはなたばをプレゼントしてくれました | Kare wa watashi ni hanataba wo purezento shite kuremashita. | He presented me with a bouquet of flowers. |
| わたしはかれし (/かのじょ) がいます。 | Watashi wa kareshi (/kanojo) ga imasu. | I have a boyfriend (or girlfriend). |
| でんわばんごうきいてもいい？ | Denwa bangou kiite mo ii? | Can I get your number? |
Japanese Vocabulary and Phrases for Asking Someone Out
付き合う (tsukiau) can mean accompany someone, associate with someone or be in a romantic relationship. Context makes the meaning clear; whether a confession occurred does not determine its meaning automatically. Use an explicit invitation when you mean a particular outing.
| かえるまえにきっさてんにいくんだけど、つきあってくれませんか？ Kaeru mae ni kissaten ni ikun da kedo,tsukiatte kuremasen ka? |
I am going to the coffee shop before going home, would you like to come along (or hang out) with me? |
| すきです。わたしと つきあってください。 Suki desu. Watashi to tsukiatte kudasai. |
I like you. Will you go out with me? | <