How to say "I love you" in Egyptian Arabic

بَحِبَّك

ba7ebbak

Without tashkeel
بحبك
Franco / chat alphabet
b7bk
Literally
I-love-you

When to use it

This is the standard, everyday way to say 'I love you' in Cairo. It is used romantically between partners, but equally often platonically among friends, siblings, and parents to children. It is casual and ubiquitous, not reserved only for grand romantic confessions.

Other ways to say it

to a man

بَحِبَّك

ba7ebbak

I love you

The standard form when speaking to a male.

to a woman

بَحِبِّك

ba7ebbek

I love you

The standard form when speaking to a female, differing only in the final vowel.

to a group

بَحِبُّكُم

ba7ebbokom

I love you all

Used when addressing two or more people.

intense (to a man)

بَمُوت فِيك

bamoot feek

I love you to death

A very common dramatic expression of deep love or extreme fondness.

How people reply

وَأَنَا كَمَان بَحِبَّك

wana kaman ba7ebbak

And I love you too (to a man)

وَأَنَا كَمَان

wana kaman

Me too

رَبِّنَا يَخَلِّيك لِيَّا

rabena yekhaleek leya

May God keep you for me

In a sentence

بَحِبَّك أَوِي يَا صَاحْبِي.

ba7ebbak awy ya sa7by.

I love you so much, my friend.

وَأَنَا كَمَان بَحِبِّك يَا حَبِيبْتِي.

wana kaman ba7ebbek ya 7abeebty.

I love you too, my love (to a woman).

بَحِبُّكُم جِدّاً، شُكْراً عَلَى المُفَاجْأَة.

ba7ebbokom geddan, shokran 3ala el mofag'a.

I love you guys so much, thanks for the surprise.

"I love you" in the other dialects