Next time you’re travelling to Africa with a loved one and want to tell them how you feel, use one of these terms – depending on the country you’re in. Or if you happen to fall for a local… This is how to say “I love you” in the different parts of Africa. We’re sure it’ll win you brownie points. (It’s a pleasure…)
Botswana
Setswana: Ke a go rata
Kenya
Swahili: Nakupenda
Madagascar
Malagasy: tiako ianao
French: Je t’aime
Malawi
Chichewa: Ndimakukonda
Mozambique
Portuguese: Eu amo-te
Namibia
Damara/Nama: INam tsi ta ge a (from Female to Male)/ INam si ta ge a (From Male to Female)
Herero: Mbeku suvera
Oshivambo: Ondiku hole
Afrikaans: Ek is lief vir jou
German: Ich liebe dich
Rwanda
French: Je t’aime
South Africa
Zulu: Ngiyakuthanda
Xhosa: Ndiyakuthanda
Afrikaans: Ek is lief vir jou
Swaziland
Swati: Ngiyakutsandza
Tanzania
Swahili: Nakupenda
Uganda
Swahili: Nakupenda
Luganda: Nkwagala
English: I love you
Zambia
Nyanja: Ndikukonda
Bemba: ni nkutemwa
Zimbabwe
Shona: Ndinokuda
Ndebele: Ngiyakuthanda
Did You Know
The love birds in the header image are native to the African continent, with the Grey-headed Lovebird being native to Madagascar particularly. They are social and affectionate little parrots and their name originates from their strong, monogamous pair bonding and the long periods the birds spend sitting together. They could teach us a thing or two about love…
Quite the romantics!
Hi, I just want to say that in Nyanja (Zambia) ndikufuna means “I want you”. The right word is ndikukonda – “I love you”.
South Africa in Zulu: Ngiyakuthanda