In Italian, there are two phrases you say to the people for which you feel something: ti voglio bene and ti amo. The first is less strong, and it is not something that you would say to your lover; you could say it to a friend, your parents, your sons, or a sibling, but saying ti voglio bene to a lover would not be something well seen. (That would mean getting an answer like "You don't love me anymore?")
When translating those sentences with Google Translate, I get "I love you" in both the cases. So, what does "I love you" mean?
Best Answer
"I love you" is usually thought of as an exchange between lovers, although parents also say it to children, and vice versa. A grandmother might use it when saying goodbye to her grandchildren. It's something you might say to anyone who you might also kiss, whether that kiss is on the lips or on the cheek.
When talking between friends, "I like you" might be a more common approximation of ti voglio bene. In many parts of the U.S., if you want to be humorous, you might say "I love you, man," in a choked up voice, something that's gained a lot of traction ever since Budweiser aired this commercial several years ago.
The word love in English carries a multitude of emotions, so it really depends on context. It's probably one of the most flexible and adaptable words in English. In addition to the affectionate and erotic feelings of love we have for a lover, we might also love algebra as a school subject; we can also love chocolate ice cream, fall weather, or our favorite sports team.