If you’re almost, but not quite, at the stage where you’re ready to say “I love you” while dating, why not say the words in another language? Imagine how you will come across—cosmopolitan, romantic, suave, sophisticated and creative. Your date will certainly appreciate the time it took you to learn to say these words, especially if you use several languages!

Use common sense when deciding upon the moment to use these while dating. I think it’s best to use these when you are getting interested in someone, but you are not ready, or it is to early in the relationship, to say the three words in English. It will have the meaning, but take the edge off the potency of just saying, “I love you.” Don’t ruin your date with them, whatever you do! Either try to work them into a poetic context, or just say the words on their own; perhaps even whisper them into your date’s ear, for maximum flirting potential! Some of these are commonly known, but others are more obscure.

En français (French): Je t’aime
In italiano (Italian): Ti amo
En español (Spanish): Te quiero
Auf deutsch (German): Ich liebe Dich
In het Nederlands (Dutch): Ik houd van u
Em português (Portuguese): Eu te amo

Make a stab at pronouncing them in the language in question, and as long as it doesn’t sound like you’re saying them as if they were English words, you should be OK. Alternatively, if you do say them as if reading English words, it may make for some light comedy, which will give an entirely different effect!