אֲנִי אוֹהֵב אוֹתָךְ
Ani Ohev Otakh
“I love you (male speaker)”
Ani Ohev Otakh (אֲנִי אוֹהֵב אוֹתָךְ) is a Hebrew phrase meaning “i love you (male speaker),” pronounced “a-NI o-HEV o-TAKH.” The literal translation is “i love you (male to female).” The direct expression of love from a male speaker to a female listener. Hebrew requires different verb forms depending on the speaker's gender.
| Hebrew | אֲנִי אוֹהֵב אוֹתָךְ |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Ani Ohev Otakh |
| English Meaning | I love you (male speaker) |
| Literal Translation | I love you (male to female) |
| Pronunciation | a-NI o-HEV o-TAKH |
| Category | Love & Relationships |
| Origin | Biblical Hebrew. The root א-ה-ב (alef-heh-bet, to love) appears throughout the Hebrew Bible — from God's love for Israel to the romantic passion of Song of Solomon. The first use of this root for romantic love is in Genesis 29:18: 'Jacob loved Rachel.' |
Saying 'I love you' in Hebrew requires a choice that English doesn't demand: you must reveal your gender and your beloved's gender in the grammar itself. A man saying it to a woman says 'Ani Ohev Otakh.' A woman to a man: 'Ani Ohevet Otkha.' Hebrew love is never abstract — it's always embodied, always specific, always addressed to a particular person. The Hebrew word for love, ahavah (אַהֲבָה), shares its root with the word 'to give' in Aramaic, suggesting that in the Semitic understanding, love is fundamentally about giving rather than receiving. The Song of Solomon, the Bible's great love poem, is written entirely in Hebrew and remains one of the most passionate texts in world literature.
Where Does “Ani Ohev Otakh” Come From?
Biblical Hebrew. The root א-ה-ב (alef-heh-bet, to love) appears throughout the Hebrew Bible — from God's love for Israel to the romantic passion of Song of Solomon. The first use of this root for romantic love is in Genesis 29:18: 'Jacob loved Rachel.'
When and How to Say “Ani Ohev Otakh”
Used in romantic relationships between partners. The four forms: Ani Ohev Otakh (male to female), Ani Ohevet Otkha (female to male), Ani Ohev Otkha (male to male), Ani Ohevet Otakh (female to female). Also used between parents and children.
Cultural Context of Ani Ohev Otakh
Israelis can be surprisingly reserved about saying 'Ani Ohev Otakh' despite their reputation for directness. The phrase carries significant weight. Many Israeli couples use pet names and show love through actions rather than verbal declarations. When it's said, it's meant deeply.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say “I love you (male speaker)” in Hebrew?
“I love you (male speaker)” in Hebrew is Ani Ohev Otakh (אֲנִי אוֹהֵב אוֹתָךְ), pronounced “a-NI o-HEV o-TAKH.” The literal translation is “I love you (male to female).” The direct expression of love from a male speaker to a female listener. Hebrew requires different verb forms depending on the speaker's gender.
How do you pronounce Ani Ohev Otakh?
Ani Ohev Otakh is pronounced “a-NI o-HEV o-TAKH.” The literal meaning is “I love you (male to female).”
How does a woman say I love you in Hebrew?
A woman says 'Ani Ohevet Otkha' (אֲנִי אוֹהֶבֶת אוֹתְךָ) to a man, and 'Ani Ohevet Otakh' (אֲנִי אוֹהֶבֶת אוֹתָךְ) to a woman. The verb 'ohevet' is the feminine form of 'ohev' (love). Hebrew always adjusts verb forms based on the speaker's gender.
What is the Hebrew word for love?
The Hebrew word for love is 'ahavah' (אַהֲבָה), from the root א-ה-ב. This root appears throughout the Bible for all types of love: romantic (Song of Solomon), familial (Genesis 22 — Abraham's love for Isaac), friendship (David and Jonathan), and divine (Deuteronomy 6:5 — 'Love the LORD your God').
What is the Song of Solomon about?
The Song of Solomon (Shir HaShirim) is a passionate love poem in the Hebrew Bible, traditionally attributed to King Solomon. It celebrates romantic love between a man and woman with vivid, sensual imagery. In Jewish tradition, it's also interpreted allegorically as the love between God and Israel. It's read on Passover in many communities.
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