It’s Romance Awareness Month, and this week we’re sharing some tips for how to be romantic in other cultures. Visit here for more tips from other cultures.
The Japanese prefer not to publicly display affection. You don’t even want to hug your lover or even your spouse in front of others in Japan. Romantic gestures such as hugging and kissing are considered to be kept private. Holding hands can be acceptable, but couples holding hands are not seen very often on the street.
When it comes to romantic phrases, the Japanese prefer to be indirect.
The literal translation of “I love you” in Japanese, 愛してる Aishiteru, sounds very serious and too direct. Rather, indirect ways of expressing romantic feelings such as the ones below are better choices:
ずっと一緒にいたい
Zutto issho ni itai
I want to be with you forever
幸せにするよ
Shiawase ni suru yo
I’ll make you happy
[Name] と一緒にいる時が一番自分らしくなれる
[Name] to issho ni iru toki ga ichiban jibun rashiku nareru
I can be truly myself when I am with you
[Name] と一緒にいると落ち着く
[Name] to issho ni iru to ochitsuku
I feel comfortable when I am with you
好き
Suki
I like you
大好き
Daisuki
I like you a lot, literally “Big like”