Words of Affirmation in Different Asian Languages

Expressing yourself is the best way of affirming one’s feelings. It’s a love language that echoes your actions. We can always say that it’s better to walk than to talk. However, the best way is when actions align with your words.

Affirming one’s feelings isn’t limited to long poetic monologues that proclaim how much you care. It is also expressed in consistent small phrases of endearment, gratitude, or encouragement.

Throughout the years and in many places in the world, the expression of love has been phrased in many forms. From long love letters to simple phrases such as “I love you” to sweet terms of endearment. It’s the same case for words of encouragement and gratitude. Encouragement can vary from “You got this” to the currently popular phrase “화이팅” (Korean meaning “Hwaiting”/Fighting). There are so many ways to express these feelings and the existence of languages has only made the selection more diverse.

With that, here are some terms of endearment, encouragement, and gratitude in difficult Asian languages.

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ENDEARMENT

Mandarin (China)
亲爱的 (qīn’ài de) - “Dear Love/Beloved”

Hindi (India)
 जानू (jaanu) - “My life”

Khmer (Cambodia)
សំណព្ (saamnap) - “My love”

Thai (Thailand)
หวานใจ (wǎan jai) - “Sweetheart”

Malay (Malaysia)
Sayang – “Love”

Tagalog (Philippines)
Irog - “Dear One/Beloved”

Hangugeo (South Korea)
여보 (yeobo) - “Darling”

Nihongo (Japan)
あなた (anata) - “You”
In Japanese culture, they often use names to address someone. Hence, using “you” means someone has a deep sense of familiarity to the person they’re talking to.

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ENCOURAGEMENT

Mandarin (China)
不要灰心！(bùyào huīxīn) - “Don’t lose heart!”

Hindi (India)
हार मत मानो! (haar maT maaNo!) - “Don’t give up!”

Khmer (Cambodia)
ខ្ញុំដឹងថាអ្នកអាចធ្វើបាន (khnhom doeng tha anak ach thveu ban) - “I know you can do it”

Thai (Thailand)
เธอไม่ได้อยู่เพียงลำพัง (thooe mâi dâi yùu phiiang lam phang) - “You are not alone.”

Malay (Malaysia)
Kuatkan semangat -  “Be strong”

Tagalog (Philippines)
Kaya mo ‘yan! - “You can do it!”

Hangugeo (South Korea)
화이팅 (Hwaiting) - “Fighting” / “Go!”

Nihongo (Japan)
もっと先に行こう。(Motto saki ni ikou.) - “Go even further.”

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GRATITUDE/THANK YOU

Mandarin (China)
谢谢 (xiè xiè)

Hindi (India)
धन्यवाद् (dhanyavaad)

Khmer (Cambodia)
Arkun (ar-koon) – Thank you

Thai (Thailand)
อบคุณค่ะ (khoob-khun ka) used by a female speaker
ขอบคุณครับ (khoob-khun krab) used by a male speaker

Malay (Malaysia)
Terima kasih

Tagalog (Philippines)
Salamat

Hangugeo (South Korea)
감사합니다 (gam-sa-ham-ni-da)

Nihongo (Japan)
ありがとう ございます (Arigatou gozaimasu)

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We understand that these terminologies barely scratched the surface of a long list of phrases each country has. New slangs may emerge as languages evolve. We’d be glad to know more about it.

How about you? What’s your favorite phrase/word of affirmation?