The standard Greek answer
The standard Modern Greek phrase for “I love you” is Σε αγαπώ. Its romanization is Se agapó. You will also often see and hear the contracted form Σ’ αγαπώ (S’ agapó).
Both forms have the same core meaning. The phrase can express romantic love or love for close family; the relationship supplies the context. It does not change according to the gender of the speaker or the person addressed.
Σε αγαπώ and Σ’ αγαπώ
Σε αγαπώ is the full written form. Σ’ αγαπώ contracts σε before the vowel at the beginning of αγαπώ. The apostrophe shows that the vowel has been omitted.
The contraction is common and natural. For a learner, the full form makes the two words easier to recognize; the contracted form prepares you for everyday speech, messages, titles, and songs.
Write a space after the apostrophe: Σ’ αγαπώ. Smart and straight apostrophes may look different on a keyboard, but the missing vowel is the same.
What the words mean
- Σε (se) means familiar singular “you” as the object of the verb.
- αγαπώ (agapó) means “I love.”
The verb ending already identifies the speaker, so Modern Greek does not need εγώ (egó), “I,” in the basic sentence. Adding εγώ can create emphasis, but it is not required to make the phrase complete.
The sentence addresses one person informally. Σας αγαπώ uses plural or formal “you,” but it is not a more intense romantic declaration.
How to pronounce Se agapó
An English-friendly guide is “seh ah-ghah-PO.” The stress falls on the final syllable of agapó, shown by the written accent on ώ.
- Se is short and unstressed.
- The Greek γ between vowels is a voiced fricative, softer than the hard g in “go.”
- pó receives the strongest beat.
Do not pronounce the final word as AH-ga-po. Keep the first syllables light and land on -PO. Romanization cannot fully represent the Greek gamma, so use the recording above as the pronunciation model.
In the contracted form S’ agapó, the initial words run together. It is not pronounced “ess agapo”; the s attaches directly to the following vowel.
How to say I love you too
Say Κι εγώ σ’ αγαπώ (Ki egó s’ agapó) for “I love you too.” You may also write the reply with the full object pronoun: Κι εγώ σε αγαπώ.
The final κι εγώ carries the sense “me too” or “I do too.” Repeating the complete phrase is clearer than replying with an isolated word when you are still learning.
For “I love you very much,” say Σ’ αγαπώ πολύ. The word πολύ (polý) means “very much.”
Related expressions
Σε λατρεύω (Se latrévo) means “I adore you.” It is an intense affectionate expression, not a grammar variant of Σε αγαπώ.
Μου αρέσεις (Mou aréseis) means “I like you.” In a romantic context it can express attraction without declaring love.
Αγάπη μου (Agápi mou) means “my love.” It is a term of address and can be placed beside a sentence, but it is not itself “I love you.”
You may also encounter αγαπάω (agapáo) in place of αγαπώ. They are forms of the same Modern Greek verb, not separate “romantic” and “friendly” versions.
Writing the phrase correctly
Modern Greek is written from left to right. Keep the accent in αγαπώ because it marks the stressed vowel. All-capital Greek normally omits accent marks, so ΣΕ ΑΓΑΠΩ may appear on designs or signs without changing the words.
Use the Greek text for a card or message. Romanization is a pronunciation aid, not an alternative Greek spelling.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Do not move the stress away from the final ώ in αγαπώ.
- Do not pronounce Greek γ as the hard g in “go.”
- Do not read S’ as the name of the English letter s.
- Do not treat Σε αγαπώ and Σ’ αγαπώ as different declarations.
- Do not change the phrase for a boyfriend, girlfriend, male speaker, or female speaker.
- Do not confuse Modern Greek with lists of several Ancient Greek concepts of love; those lists do not replace the everyday sentence.
Frequently asked questions
Which form should I copy into a message?
Both are correct. Σε αγαπώ is the clearest full form; Σ’ αγαπώ is the common contracted form.
Does the phrase change for a man or woman?
No. The same phrase works regardless of the speaker’s and listener’s gender.
Where is the stress?
Stress the final syllable: aga-PÓ. The accent over ώ records that stress in lowercase writing.
Can I use it with family?
Yes. Σε αγαπώ can express romantic or close family love. The surrounding relationship determines how it is understood.
Is Σε αγαπάω also correct?
Yes. αγαπώ and αγαπάω are parallel forms of the same verb. Keep Σε αγαπώ as the simple main answer and recognize the other form when you meet it.