To "ti amo" or not "ti amo"

Aug 12

1 min read

#learnitaliannow #tivogliobene #tiamo #italiansayings

As a young girl, my friends and I would write long letters to each other, often filled with school gossip, our latest crush, and life's little dramas. At the end of every letter, we'd always sign off with "ti voglio bene," often followed by a heart.

If our latest gossip regarded a new crush, we'd switch it up and write "ti amo" instead. When you're traveling in Italy, keep an eye out for T.V.B ("ti voglio bene") carved into tree trunks, walls, jewelry, and more. It's our version of carving a heart with two sets of initials into a tree to express our affection for someone.

So, what's the difference between TI VOGLIO BENE and TI AMO?

In Italy, "ti voglio bene" is commonly used among friends, family members, and even between lovers, expressing a deep, affectionate bond that some believe signifies a union of souls.

"TI AMO" carries a stronger emotional weight and is generally only exchanged between lovers. "TI AMO" is the phrase Italians use to express romantic love, signifying a deep, special, and intimate connection with another human being.