Beyond Words - How Love is Shown Across Cultures

By Kaiku

Valentine's Day calendar and red roses on a wooden table.

NOTE: Everyone is unique, and not all people feel the same about how affection and appreciation is expressed even based to their cultural background. If you’re unsure about what someone appreciates, it’s always a good idea to talk with them first.

Expressions of Love Across Cultures

Understanding how someone expresses love goes beyond individual preferences—it’s also influenced by cultural background and values. While we all have our own perspectives, the traditions and norms we grow up with can shape how we show affection. In this article, we’ll explore different cultural aspects of expressing love and how they vary across the world.

It’s Not Only About the Words

For many, words are a clear and direct way to express love. Saying “I love you” is often seen as the most obvious sign of affection. However, love can be shown in many different ways, including quality time, acts of service, giving and receiving gifts, and physical touch.

These expressions of love differ across cultures. In some places, public displays of affection—like kissing and hugging—are common, while in others, they’re considered inappropriate. For example, in North Africa and parts of East Asia, showing love publicly is less common. Instead, some cultures place more emphasis on actions, such as taking care of a loved one’s needs, rather than verbal affirmations. In many Scandinavian countries, direct verbal expressions of love are less frequent, but actions such as helping with daily tasks or spending quality time together carry deep emotional significance. Rather than judging these differences, it’s important to respect and understand them.

Painting of women at the Chinese Qixi festival.

Love Through Traditions and Festivals

While Valentine’s Day is widely known, many cultures have their own unique celebrations of love. In Japan, there’s “White Day,” celebrated on March 14—a day when people give gifts in return for the ones they received on Valentine’s Day. Originally established in 1978, White Day has since spread to other East Asian countries like China, Taiwan, and South Korea.

Another well-known celebration in China is the Qixi Festival, a romantic holiday based on an old love story. According to legend, Niulang, a poor cowherd, fell in love with Zhinü, a heavenly weaver girl. To keep her on Earth, he took her magical clothes, and they built a life together. However, when the gods found out, Zhinü was taken back to the heavens. Determined to be with her, Niulang chased after her, leading to the creation of the Milky Way as a barrier between them. Moved by their love, magpies formed a bridge across the sky so they could meet once a year. This annual reunion became the inspiration for the Qixi Festival.

In South Korea, love is celebrated in multiple ways throughout the year. Aside from Valentine's Day and White Day, there's also "Black Day" on April 14, where singles gather to eat black bean noodles (jajangmyeon) as a way of acknowledging their single status.

In Latin America, particularly in countries like Brazil and Colombia, "Día del Amor y la Amistad" (Day of Love and Friendship) is a significant celebration. This holiday not only focuses on romantic love but also emphasizes the importance of friendships and family bonds.

Group of women decorating a carrot cake.

Loving Friends and Family

Love isn’t just about romantic relationships—our connections with friends and family are just as important. Platonic love, the deep bond we feel for those we care about, exists in many cultures.

For example, in Finland, Valentine’s Day is called “Ystävänpäivä,” which means “Friend’s Day.” Originally, this day was about celebrating friendships rather than romance. Over time, the influence of American Valentine’s Day has brought some romantic elements into the celebration, but the core idea remains the same—remembering and appreciating friends and family. On this day, people send messages, exchange cards, and even bake sweet treats together.

Similarly, in India, love is often expressed through familial devotion and respect rather than direct verbal affirmations. The festival of Raksha Bandhan celebrates the bond between siblings, where sisters tie a protective thread (rakhi) around their brothers’ wrists, symbolizing love and protection.

No matter where you are in the world, love can take many forms. Whether it’s spoken, shown through actions, or celebrated on a special day, what matters most is understanding and respecting how people around us express their feelings.

Ways to Say “I Love You” in Different Languages

Spanish - Te amo.
Swedish - Jag älskar dig.
Finnish - Rakastan sinua.
Russian - Я тебя люблю.
Mandarin - 我爱你。
German - Ich liebe dich.
Japanese - 愛してる。
French - Je t’aime.
Italian - Ti amo.
Portuguese - Eu te amo.
Korean - 사랑해 ( (\uSaranghae).
Turkish - Seni seviyorum.
Greek - Σ'αγαπώ.
Arabic - أنا أحبك (Ana uhibbuka/uhibbuki).
Hindi - मैं तुम्हे प्यार करता हूं (Main tumhe pyaar karta hoon/karti hoon).
Hawaiian - Aloha wau ia ʻoe.
Tagalog - Mahal kita.
Dutch - Ik hou van jou.

Understanding how affection is expressed in different cultures helps us appreciate its many forms. No matter whether it comes through words, traditions, or meaningful actions, love remains a universal feeling that connects us all.

About Kaiku

Finnish by birth, Polish by address, and multilingual in progress — Kaiku is a creative mind working in IT with a love for art, writing, and culture. Whether illustrating, learning new languages, or analyzing cultural quirks, they’re always searching for fresh perspectives and ideas — best discussed over a good cup of coffee.