The Difference Between “I Love You” And “Love You”
The only thing simple about “love” is the fact that it has 4 letters. Some people run towards love, others run away from it faster than a sports car, and other people overuse the word until it loses all of its value. The concept of love is strange, so much so that humans have been studying it since the ancient Greek philosophers. Funny… all of those years and we still seem confused by it.
Modern-day language hasn’t helped us define love very well. You can hear someone declaring, “Wow, I love her!” when they’re talking about a Youtuber they watch, or you hear a guy say “Wow, I love her,” when he realizes he has found his soulmate. It means like, it means obsession, it means affection, it means a million things. This gets even more complicated when someone is saying this about YOU. How the heck do we know what it is really talking about? The most important distinction we need to know is the difference between “I love you” and “Love you”. While they share 7 out of 8 letters, these are two different worlds. Let me explain.
The Meaning Behind “I Love You”
“I love you” holds an air of superiority over “love you.” “I love you” is said in a moment of seriousness, a moment of pure intimacy. It’s a personal comment on a deep level. It is said when you’re lying down next to someone or looking deep into their eyes as the background noise fades. On the flip side, “Love you” is said in a moment of comfort. It can be expressed if you tell a hilarious joke or said something silly. My friend could give me the best advice of a lifetime and I respond “Love you, dude. No homo.” We share this phrase with people we have established a strong friendship with. We appreciate how easy it is to be around this person in a casual way, and we express this gratitude with “Love you.”
Another big difference between these two phrases is the amount of time they include. While they are both said in less than two seconds, one of them perseveres while the other one disappears with the moment. If used correctly, “I love you” is commitment. It is talking about you as a whole, including all of your strengths and your weaknesses. “I love you” loves who you are today, and it will stick with you through the ups and downs of the future. The person saying this is pledging a loyalty to you that you can’t find in every relationship. This is serious.
Check out: How to tell someone you love them
The Meaning Behind “Love You”
A simple, “Love you”, on the other hand, is a friendly pat on the back. It’s shared between friends, cousins, good ol’ pals, etcetera. “Love you” is a light-hearted compliment. It is saying, you’re a cool person and I like what you just said or did. Unless you’re just starting to get a crush on someone, you wouldn’t use “Love you” for a lovey-dovey relationship or to express that you’re serious about someone. This is typically friend-zone, relaxed lingo.
If you’re interested, check out: Difference between crush and love
Compare and Contrast
To sum it all up, “I love you” is more for romance or something more serious or impactful. We use this when we have already established a relationship or a connection with someone, or when we are trying to take the next step with that person we have feelings for. When you say “I love you” romantically for the first time, you’ll probably feel terrified and exhilarated at the same time. Your mind might spin and your thoughts will run wild. These words are dripping with meaning, so you should feel all of those things! This is a big step.
But if you simply want to tell another person that you care about and appreciate them as a human being, then you can switch it up and use the chummy, “Love you.” It shows affection and care without freaking the other person out into thinking that you want to put a ring on it. This phrase is often paired with telling that person that they’re the best, or that they are your favorite. All of this remains light-hearted and casual.
If you’re interested check out: How women fall in love
So, who knew that two phrases that look almost identical could be so very different? Maybe your one, very friend-zone friend looks you dead-on and says “I love you” far too often. Do you see how this could make you start thinking of ten potential future scenarios? Don’t get into your own head. There are always a few people who will misuse these different phrases, but what’s important is that YOU know the difference and use them in the right way.
Throw out a “Love you” to that friend who just made your day. Or remind your brother that he’s actually someone you like and shoot him a “Love you” before you hang up the phone. He might call you weird but that’s okay. Or if you appreciate that laughter-attack that someone gave you from their jokes, you can say, “Man, I love you!”.
Check out: How men fall in love
Conclusion:
Save your “I love you-s” for unique moments with that special someone who makes you feel like you’re high on Cloud Nine. Use it in moments full of deep feelings, to show support to that person you’re with. Say “I love you” when you feel it in your heart, and don’t hold back when that feeling comes. No matter which phrase you want to use to express yourself, make sure to say it passionately. Situations change and sometimes unexpected things happen. Tell that person you love them because you never know if you’ll have the chance to say it tomorrow.